Those getting married in the US are required to get marriage license from their county’s circuit court. Do they also require performing a marriage ceremony of any type at that time? Or, would you perform your nikkah ceremony on the wedding day, and then bring back the signed paperwork and submit it to the office to register your marriage? This marriage will be performed in Virginia, but I think most states have similar laws.
Re: Marriage License
I got married in CA many years ago. There we got the license , we both had to be present at the same time. Before that we had to get the blood test done and bring the result. The Nikah was performed by an Imam. Who gave us the paperwork and we submitted it to get the marriage certificate. We did not have to do the I do I do in front of the judge.
Re: Marriage License
I got married in Va. No blood test required unless that has changed now. You go to the county office with your spouse to be, pay the small fee, take the oath, sign some paper and get your license right there and then. Later you submit the Nikah Form in order to get the marriage certificate.
Ps: No ceremony required either.
Re: Marriage License
Thanks for the info Mirch.
Sajal - the part about taking the oath is whats confusing me. Is that where you have to say "I do" at the end? Are there any witnesses required?
Thanks for the info Mirch.
Sajal - the part about taking the oath is whats confusing me. Is that where you have to say "I do" at the end? Are there any witnesses required?
The marriage license gives you permission to get married legally. It is not in itself binding you do not become husband and wife by getting that license.
I do not remember about any kind of oath. But you become husband and wife only when nikah is performed.
Sajal - the part about taking the oath is whats confusing me. Is that where you have to say "I do" at the end? Are there any witnesses required?
No witnesses required, just the person who puts you under oath ..... will say the words and you say "I do" (if I remember correctly). Trust me this oath is not a big deal and Congrats.
Re: Marriage License
Ok some relevant information about Fiarfax County VA .
Marriage License Information - Fairfax County, Virginia
Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, located in the Fairfax Judicial Center, on the first floor, Public Service Office, 4110 Chain Bridge Rd., Suite 116, Fairfax. The fee is $30.00 payable by cash or credit card (Visa or Mastercard only with a 4% processing fee). Both parties must appear before the Clerk to obtain a license and must be 18 years of age or older (proof of age is required with either a valid driver’s license with picture, passport or military identification). If a party is 16 or 17 years of age a parent must appear with identification. The Clerk’s Office will provide a special affidavit for the parent’s signature.
There are no residency requirements to obtain a marriage license in Virginia. A couple may go to any circuit court in Virginia to obtain this license. Once the license is issued, there is no waiting period and no blood test is required. T**he marriage license is valid for 60 calendar days and the marriage must take place in Virginia. **
**Marriages are not performed by the Clerk’s office, however, a list of local civil marriage celebrants is available at the Circuit Court or any of the magisterial **government centers throughout the county. A list of civil marriage celebrants may be obtained by mail. Send a written request, along with a self addressed, stamped envelope to the address listed above. Out-of-state ministers must be authorized by the Circuit Court to perform marriage ceremonies in Virginia. Call 703-691-7320, and press 3, 6, 1, 4 for qualifying details.
To obtain a certified copy of a marriage license, the license must have been issued by the Fairfax Circuit Court. The certified copy can be obtained either in person or by mail. To obtain a copy in person, go to the Public Service Office on the first floor of the Judicial Center, Suite 116. The fee for a certified copy of a marriage license is $2.50 per copy and will be made while you wait. The court does not accept personal checks for payment. Payment is by cash, cashier’s check or money order payable to “Clerk of the Circuit Court”. Visa and Mastercard are also accepted with a 4% processing fee.
Re: Marriage License
No one had to do the "I do" here. Basically, we go and get a marriage license which is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. When you're picking it up, they ask you some questions and you have to swear its the truth, but thats it. After that, you submit the license to the Imam and he does the nikah. After that, you get your certificate in the mail. Thats it.
Re: Marriage License
What is the blood test for?
Re: Marriage License
Mirch yaar i've read this thing quite a few times. The thing which i'm confused about is when people talk about the oath thing. I'm envisioning it as something which may count as official when they make you say "I do".
But as Sajal pointed out, it may not be a big deal.
What is the blood test for?
Maybe to check for any diseases you might carry such as HIV. I'm not sure though.
Virginia doesn't require that.
they ask you some questions and you have to swear its the truth
Maybe that's where the "I do" part comes in.
Mirch yaar i've read this thing quite a few times. The thing which i'm confused about is when people talk about the oath thing. I'm envisioning it as something which may count as official when they make you say "I do". But as Sajal pointed out, it may not be a big deal.
If it is, what is the problem? But it's not. A marriage license does not get you married.
My marriage license asked a few questions such as age, gender, address, and asked if me and my to be wife were not related. I filled all that out, and after that the oath took place to confirm that everything in this is the truth.
Re: Marriage License
Thats right, you swear that what you submit is the truth - thats the only oath in obtaining a marriage license.
The "I Do" part is when you ask the court to perform a "civil ceremony" - a marriage ceremony performed by a judge rather than a religious official.
Mirch yaar i've read this thing quite a few times. The thing which i'm confused about is when people talk about the oath thing. I'm envisioning it as something which may count as official when they make you say "I do". But as Sajal pointed out, it may not be a big deal.
The oath is about the information in the forms you are submitting being true. It is not the oath about that you will surely marry that person or you take oath that you are saying I do.