Your wedding day is a super special moment, and there are some grown-up rules you need to follow to make it official. If you’re planning to get married in Houston, Texas, this guide will help you understand the important stuff you need to know to make your marriage official.
1. Marriage Licenses in Houston
Before you can have your big wedding, you need something called a marriage license. Here’s what you need to know:
- Where to Get It: To get a marriage license in Texas, you have to go to a County Clerk’s Office. There are a few of them in Houston.
- What You Need: Both you and your partner need to go there together. You’ll need some grown-up ID like a driver’s license, passport, or military ID. You also have to share your Social Security numbers.
- Waiting Time: After you get your license, you have to wait for 72 hours before you can have your wedding. But if you or your partner is in the military, you don’t have to wait.
- When It Expires: Your marriage license is good for 90 days after you get it.
2. Who Can Marry You?
In Texas, a few different people can be the one who marries you:
- Religious Leaders: People like ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders can do wedding ceremonies.
- Judges and Justices of the Peace: These are special judges who can also marry people.
- Someone You Know: If you want, a friend or family member can get a special online license to marry you. But you might need to check with the local County Clerk’s Office for extra rules.
3. Choosing Who Marries You
Picking the right person to marry you is a big deal. Here are some things to think about:
- Meet Them: Make sure you meet the person who’s going to marry you. That way, you can talk about what you want in your ceremony.
- Ceremony Style: Talk about what kind of wedding you want. Do you want a traditional one, or do you want something different and special?
- Special Requests: Ask if they can include any special things you want in your ceremony, like special words or traditions.
4. The Legal Stuff for the Ceremony
To make sure your marriage is legal in Texas, your wedding ceremony has to include a few things:
- Saying “I Do”: You and your partner have to say that you want to marry each other in front of the person marrying you and some witnesses.
- Vows: You have to say some special words to promise that you’re going to be married.
- The Pronouncement: At the end, the person marrying you says that you’re officially married.
5. What Happens After the Wedding?
After you have your wedding ceremony, there are some important things to do:
- Give Back the License: It’s the job of the person who married you to make sure the marriage license is filled out correctly and sent to the County Clerk’s Office.
- Get Marriage Certificates: You can ask for special copies of your marriage certificate from the County Clerk’s Office. You need these for things like changing your name.
- Update Your Info: You have to change your grown-up documents, like your driver’s license, passport, and Social Security info, to show that you’re married.
6. Final Thoughts
Getting married in Houston, Texas means following some rules to make your marriage official. Even though it might sound like a lot, it’s an important part of starting your life together. If you get everything ready and understand what you have to do, your wedding day will be full of happiness and love.
More Wedding Tips to Explore:
If you want to learn more about the legal side of getting married, make sure to read these other blog posts:
- Selecting the Perfect Houston Wedding Planner: What to Keep an Eye On: Find out how to choose a wedding planner who can make your dream wedding come true.
- The Perks of Hiring a Day-of Coordinator in Houston: Learn how a day-of coordinator can help make your wedding day super smooth.
And don’t forget to check out our previous blogs for more wedding ideas:
- Houston Wedding Planning 101: How to Get Started and What to Expect
- Your Houston Wedding Planning Timeline: From ‘Yes’ to ‘I Do
- Crafting Your Dream Houston Wedding on a Budget: Step-by-Step Guide
- Do’s and Don’ts of Houston Wedding Planning: The Ultimate Guide
- Picking the Perfect Wedding Date in Houston: Weather and Events to Consider
- Protecting Your Big Day: Houston Wedding Insurance Explained
- Choosing the Right Ceremony: Religious or Secular? Houston Options
And if you’re looking for awesome wedding vendors in Texas, visit Texas Wedding Vendors. We bring together top professionals from all over Texas to make your wedding unforgettable!
