Marriage license
Example of marriage license issued in San FranciscoA marriage license is permission from a legal authority for the marriage of two people to be performed. The requirements differ depending on the time and place: licenses to marry have been granted since the Middle Ages. Valid marriages can occur without a license (for example, by obtaining pardon for having married without license, or by cohabitation and representation as husband and wife in jurisdictions permitting common law marriage).
Every state in the United States issues marriage licenses. After the marriage ceremony, both spouses and the officiant sign the marriage license (some states require a witness). The officiant or couple then files for a certified copy of the marriage license and a marriage certificate with the government.
The requirements for getting a marriage license vary from state to state.
Controversy
Some groups believe that needing to obtain a marriage license from the State in order to be married is unnecessary or immoral. The Libertarian Party, for instance, believes that all marriages should be civil, not requiring sanction from the State.[1] Some Christian groups also feel that, since marriage is a contract between two people and God, no authorization from the State is required.[2]