At what point are you officially married?

At what point are you officially married?

The officiant must take the signed marriage license to the appropriate court office to have it filed. This typically must be done within 14 days after the ceremony takes place. Once the license has been filed, the marriage is officially legal.

What makes someone legally married?

Common Law Marriage: An Overview. Marriage is a legal union between two people that requires a license and ceremony in most states. But in a handful of states, if you and your partner have been living together and behaving as if you are married, you may have what's known as a common law marriage.

Can a pastor marry a couple without a marriage license?

The answer is the couple cannot be legally married without a marriage license present. If the Officiant performs the wedding ceremony without a valid marriage license they have committed a misdemeanor. We then perform the ceremony as a commitment ceremony and for the most part none of their guests know the difference.

Are we legally married?

In California, you need to get a marriage license and exchange vows in a ceremony – either civil or religious – in order to be legally married. Although common law marriage isn't legal in California, unmarried partners may assert some of the same rights as divorcing spouses when they break up.