Saturday, December 27, 2008

Marriage Certificates

Marriage certificates are important to remember while you are planning your wedding. These certificates are the licenses that allow you to get married in the state your wedding takes place in, as well as legal proof that you are indeed married. This is important for taxation purposes as you cannot claim your spouse on your taxes unless you have the proper documentation. As a result, you will want to make certain that your marriage certificates are in order.

Meanwhile, there are several ways that you can acquire marriage certificates. The easiest way is to hire a wedding planner, who will make the arrangements for you. These professionals will work around your schedule to plan a time and date for you to appear at the local courthouse to acquire the certificate. These certificates are usually acquired under oath, and require those being married to appear to get them. The laws governing this vary depending on state or province, however. It is important that you do your research to find out how long a certificate is valid for prior to your marriage.

If you want to acquire your marriage certificates on your own, it is as simple as planning on appearing at a courthouse, taking an oath, and paying the fee to have the certificate processed. Until the wedding date, the certificate stands as a license that allows you to be wed. Once you are officially married and it is signed off on as legal, this document is your proof of marriage.

Marriage certificates are important documents. As such, you should take the time and effort to protect them once acquired. These certificates can be used in identity theft and fraud. If you have lost a certificate, you will want to make certain that you run credit checks on yourself, as it contains data that can be used to establish credit accounts in your name.

There are many instances where you will need extra copies of your marriage certificates. If you plan on moving to another country or wish to establish a mortgage, you may be asked to present documentation proving that you are married. This is standard, as this documentation is sufficient evidence that you are truly married. It is a universal assumption that married couples are more financially stable, which is beneficial for those seeking a line of credit or a mortgage. It is also in your favor in terms of immigrations, as couples are more viable in a new country than single individuals.

In the event that you need to replace your marriage certificates, you must contact the county or province you were married in and request a copy of the certificate. However, there is usually a fee associated with replacement copies.

More information on marriage issues can be found in Save My Marriage Today.