Is a marriage ceremony required in order to be legallt married?

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Is a marriage ceremony required in order to be legallt married?

Or can we still be legally married without the ceremony and just our marriage license?

Asked on March 19, 2012 under Family Law, Washington

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

You need more than the license--there has to be a ceremony, even if the briefest and lowest key of  ones, in which someone empowered by law to conduct marriages marries you. This does not have to be clergy--it can be a judge, a justice of the peace, or other official. There may have to be some witnesses, but the official to find to conduct the marriage will be able to tell you how many you need and/or help provide them.


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