With the wedding season fast approaching, I wanted to spend this month talking about the marriage laws throughout the country. With fifty states, it should hardly surprise you that marriage laws are not identical from state to state. Today, we’re going to take a look at the states of New Hampshire and Maine.
New Hampshire
When it comes to getting married, there are a few legalities to get out of the way prior to the ceremony in order to have your marriage recognized legally by the state. You should probably plan to do that about a month before the wedding. While some states require that you obtain the marriage license within a few days of the wedding, you can get all the necessary paperwork together.
In New Hampshire, a minister who wishes to marry a couple must reside in the state, be in good standing with his Church or ministry and also have an approved application on file with the Secretary of State. If a couple wishing to be married in New Hampshire by an officiant from another state, that officiant must apply for permission to the Secretary of State to perform the ceremony.
In order to apply for a marriage license you will need to bring a photo ID and both of your social security numbers. For applicants under the age of 25, you will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. There is no residency requirement; non-residents of New Hampshire should apply for their marriage license in the town where they plan to host the wedding. If one applicant is a resident, they need to apply in the town where they reside. The marriage license is valid for 90 days.
There is no option for covenant marriages in New Hampshire and if you were married previously, you must provide a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. Currently, there is a three-day waiting period. You can pay an additional fee to have that waiting period waived by a justice of the superior court.
You are not required to take blood tests to obtain a marriage license, you cannot be married by proxy and there is no allowance for cousin marriage in New Hampshire. As for common law marriage, N.H. RSA 457:39 states that common-law marriages are only recognized at death for inheritance and estate purposes. Same-sex marriage is not recognized. A bride must be at least 13 years old and if she is under 17, she needs her parents’ approval and a waiver. A groom must be at least 14 years old and if under 17, he will also need parental approval as well as a waiver.
If you need to obtain a copy of your Certificate of Marriage in New Hampshire, you can get it from:
Bureau of Vital Records
6 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-4651
Maine
Let’s head north a bit from New Hampshire and check out the laws governing marriage in Maine. If you are applying for a marriage license in Maine, you need to provide your driver’s license for applicants over the age of 24. You will also need to provide your social security numbers. If you are under the age of 24, you will also need a certified copy of your birth certificate or your passport.
As in New Hampshire, you do not need to be a resident of the state to get married in the state. Residents do need to apply for their license in the town where they reside. For individuals who were previously married, you need to bring your certified copy of the divorce (this one will have a raised seal on it) or a certified copy of the previous spouse’s death certificate.
There is a $30 fee for marriage license and it’s cash only, though you should verify whether that has changed as these types of legal fees and requirements may be different from county to county. Maine has no waiting period on the marriage license and no requirements for blood tests. The state also does not offer a covenant marriage, proxy marriage, same-sex or common law marriage option. Cousin marriage is allowed, however.
Applicants under the age of 18 will need their parental consent, but under the age of 16 they will need a judge’s written approval along with their parents’ consent. Officiants in Maine may be any ordained clergy or ministers who have received their license from the Secretary of State along with members of the Maine Bar and notaries public. A marriage in Maine must also be witnessed by a minimum of 2 other individuals.
You marriage license will be valid for 90 days and to obtain a copy of your Maine marriage certificate:
Vital Statistics
Office of Vital Statistics
State House Station #11
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Phone: (207) 287-3184
The above information should be taken as guidance only, legal requirements for state and county marriage licenses change often. Please verify the necessary paperwork and more with the office of the county clerk prior to making your wedding plans
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