Civil Wedding Ceremony

Many people these days are opting for civil weddings. Due to the increasing number of interfaith marriages, as well as marriages involving people who are not particularly religious, the demand for civil weddings has increased. Another reason that civil weddings are desirable is that they are quite flexible. Religious elements and other traditions can still be included if the couple wishes to add them, but there are no set requirements. And it is possible to have a wedding completely devoid of religious language and other trappings if one wishes.

Civil weddings can be performed anywhere as long as an official with the proper credentials performs the ceremony. This can be at a registrar's or lawyer's office, in a judge's chambers, or anywhere else that you decide upon. Many people have civil weddings in reception halls or parks for a nice setting, but without the requirements that holding a wedding in a place of worship often imposes.

Each state has different laws governing marriage, so it is important to find out the laws of the state in which you will marry ahead of time so that everything is in place on your wedding day. You can visit the City Hall of the town you will marry in to get most of the information you need, as well as a list of credentialed officiators. For the most part, here are some standard things that you will need in most states to get the marriage license:

•Picture ID (usually a birth certificate and/or passport, some states require two forms of ID)
•Parental permission if you are under 18 (although some states allow marriage without permission at younger ages)
•A document (such as a utility bill) that provides your current address
•Copies of marriage certificates from previous marriages, and the copies of divorce certificates to prove that you are no longer married
•If you have legally changed your name, you need to provide a name change deed