One of the most important steps, your wedding cannot go forward without a marriage license! Each state and county has specific requirements for getting your marriage license and they last for a varying amount of time. Some states have a waiting period and others will require you to have an appointment before you can come in to pick up the paperwork. You’ll want to contact the marriage license office in order to find out how long the marriage license lasts and what you’ll need to bring in order to get your license. If you’re getting married in a foreign country you’ll want to find out their requirements as well.
In general, in order to get a marriage license you will need:
Birth Certificate for both the bride and groom
Proof of citizenship, residence or appropriate visa
Photo identification
Death certificate if widowed
Divorce decree if divorced
Parental consent if underage
Blood test results if required by your state
After your ceremony is complete, your officiant will send the license to the marriage license bureau and you’ll be able to pick up copies or have one mailed to you (if your county does that) a few weeks after your marriage. Make sure you get more than one copy as they are often needed by a variety of companies and offices as you change your name as proof of your marriage.