How to get married during COVID-19? That is the question I was asking myself when we had already planned how and where we would get married and got to the point of having to obtain a Marriage License.
I searched my county clerk recorders website and it said other services were still available but not marriage license. Are you in the same situation? I thought ok maybe not this office and started looking at the second closest office, then the third, forth, fifth, next county over etc… I couldn’t fine one that would issue the license. Why?
The reason they counties are not issuing the marriage license is because everyone requires that you go in person and present your ID and submit the application in order to obtain the marriage license. Because of COVID-19 even if the offices employees are working they do not want people going into the office and they are closed to the public.
I submitted the online application but knew that I would not be able to go in until the county, state and federal restrictions for COVID-19 are lifted.
I looked at many counties across my state (CA) with no luck. I expanded my search to other states since they do not require you to be a resident. Not even Las Vegas could help me.
I know I can’t do a wedding at the moment but we had already planned when we would get married and since we have had a long distance relationship we want to stick with it in order to move in together. Yes we don’t want to move in until we are officially married. We want to have our marriage certificate and had done our vows.
I even asked a relative to ask in Mexico if maybe by crossing the border we could get married.
Well I ran into an article that talked about the restrictions each state had taken. Several states had not really implemented strict regulations since they have had not many cases. South Dekota was one but I never got a chance to call because I ended finding a new solution. I think its even better.
Before I get to it let me just tell you that we will be getting married mid May. Depending how the situation is then, will determine how many attend our small ceremony. We plan to live stream the wedding to all our friends and relatives that can not attend because of COVID-19 and those that we know already would not be able to attend because they are out of the country.
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The solution I found is in the state of Colorado. In the county office of Denver the governor has given an Executive Order to temporarily issue marriage licenses through application by mail and using dropbox until the restrictions executive order expires and is lifted. (See links below)
What does this mean? This is what the process looks like.
- Go to website and print out application
- Fill out application, both parties must sign and mail in application with check of $30 and include accepted identification from both parties.
- The clerk will call with any questions and mail back your marriage license.
- Colorado also allows for self marriage where you don’t need anyone to do your wedding and you don’t require any witnesses. This makes it easy to sign and return.
- Now they also require you do the ceremony in the state of Colorado. We plan on visiting my cousin in Colorado and return the license from there. But not sure how they would know otherwise.
- After it is returned they mail out your marriage certificate.
Hope this is helpful for you if you are in the same situation. Below are the links where you can find more detailed information and application. Remember to be looking at the COVID-19 information since the normal rules are still up also.
Links
Main Page for Marriage License
Detailed instructions for COVID-19 Marriage Licenses application
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If you have any questions I would gladly help you out, submit a message through the contact form. Good luck!