Most people have overriding romantic thoughts when the idea of marriage is first discussed. While this is normal, it is also important to keep in mind that there are several legal aspects to consider before getting married. Moreover, although it may not be very romantic, many couples find it helpful to discuss these legal issues before getting married.
The Process of Marriage
A wedding and a wedding reception are the fun parts of the marriage process—a process which brings together family and friends in a celebration of the new couple. However, there are more mundane items that must be taken care of before a marriage is legally recognized. For example, a couple must fill out an application for marriage. Under Illinois law, this application must contain the following information:
- Personal information, including, but not limited to, each person's name, Social Security number, and date and place of birth;
- Whether either person was previously married, as well as any information related to the divorce from, or the death of, the former spouse;
- The name and address of the parents of each person; and
- Whether the parties are related to each other and, if so, in what way.
After a couple completes the application, they must both appear before the county clerk and pay a license fee. The clerk will issue a license to marry and a marriage certificate form. Under most circumstances, the license to marry becomes effective one day after the date of issuance. This means that a couple cannot obtain a license and get married the same day. However, a license can be made effective on the same day of issuance by court order. It is also important to note that the license expires 60 days after the date of issuance.
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