Getting married is a legal act, and you'll require a marriage license to make your union official. License requirements vary by state, and sometimes by county within a state, so be sure to call the marriage license bureau in the county where your wedding will be held to verify the details. Most licenses expire after a certain period and some states have a waiting period of one to several days, so make sure you plan ahead!
Marriage license bureaus generally require you to pay in cash, and in most places both bride and groom must apply together, in person. You'll need specific identification - in many states a photo ID (like a driver's license) and Social Security card will suffice, but other places may require a certified birth certificate. (Also bring your divorce decree if you're divorced, or a death certificate if you're widowed.) The majority of states have dropped the blood test requirement, but some do retain it or another medical requirement, as listed below.
Once you have your marriage license, don't lose it! You'll give it to your officiant before the ceremony, where you two and the officiant (and in some states your witnesses) will sign it. Then he or she will mail it in to the license bureau and generally you'll get a certified marriage certificate by mail after a few weeks. Hold on to that in case you need to show proof of marriage in the future. Getting your license may not be the most romantic part of planning your wedding, but it is an essential one.
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