Utah makes it very easy to get married.You will need to pay a fee in order to apply for a marriage license in person.You have to marry within 30 days of receiving your license.You could ask a judge to recognize your relationship as a common law marriage if you already held yourself out as married.It's not your best option to seek this recognition.You should just get married.
Step 1: Required information to be gathered.
Before applying for a marriage license, you need to give the county clerk some information.Get your full name, address, and place of birth for you and your spouse.Your parents' names and birth places are listed here.Mother's maiden name.You have to have a Social Security card for both of you.A valid driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID is a valid picture ID for each person.If you also have a picture ID, you can use a birth certificate.There is a certified copy of a recent divorce decree.If the divorce happened within the past 30 days, you must present this document.If the divorce occurred within the past six months, you must present it.
Step 2: It is necessary to meet the age requirements.
People over the age of 18 don't need anyone else's permission to get married.You need your parent or guardian to sign a consent form if you are 16 or 17 years old.The form can be obtained from the clerk.Take the signed form with you when you apply for your license.The juvenile court has to approve the marriage for someone 15 years old.The court needs to find that marriage is in your best interests.You can get permission from the court commissioner.You can get a form from the county clerk.It is possible for a judge to require a 15-year-old to continue to attend school or attend marriage counseling.People under the age of 15 are not allowed to get married in Utah.
Step 3: Check you aren't related to each other.
It is not possible to marry a close relative in Utah.You can only marry a first cousin if you are related to them in some way.First cousins who are 65 or older can marry.If a court finds that they cannot reproduce, they can marry if they are over 55.
Step 4: Go to the county clerk's office.
You and your spouse must apply at the same time.A list of county websites can be found at http://www.utah.gov/government/citycounty.html.It might be easier to get a license from the county where you want to marry.You can find hours of operation on the website.Offices are usually closed on weekends and holidays.
Step 5: You have to pay a fee.
Call the county clerk's office ahead of time to inquire about payment methods and the amount of the fee.If you want to apply for a license in the county clerk's office, be sure to call it.You have to pay $40.00 in Utah County with cash, a debit card, or a Visa or Mastercard.You can pay with cash, check, money order, Visa, or American Express.
Step 6: You can find someone to marry you.
Some people can marry you.You should start looking soon if you have someone in mind.Under Utah law, a minister, priest, rabbi, or Native American spiritual adviser can solemnize a marriage.
Step 7: You should plan your wedding.
Utah has a marriage license that is good throughout the state.The amount of planning depends on how much you want your wedding to cost.You could ask the county clerk to marry you.Schedule a time and pay a fee.The marriage can be solemnized for $50.00 in Salt Lake County.You can get married at home or in a religious place.If you want to get married, you should get in touch with the officiant who will marry you.You may need to start the planning process before applying for a marriage license.A wedding reception for hundreds of friends and relatives is something you might want.This will require a lot of planning.You will need to set a budget, create invitations, and rent space.You could benefit from hiring a wedding planner.
Step 8: Marry in 30 days.
As soon as you receive your license, it is valid.If you don't get married, it will end in 30 days.If the license expires, you can't get a refund.Two people are required to witness the marriage in Utah.Your witnesses must be at least 18 years old.
Step 9: There is a certificate of marriage.
The certificate of marriage must be signed by the officiant.The county clerk issues the marriage license to you.A certified copy of your marriage license can be obtained after your ceremony.One copy is free in Utah County.You can purchase more than one copy.Salt Lake County has two free certified copies.
Step 10: Change your name.
If either spouse wants to change their last name, they need to get a new drivers license or state ID.The post office, their employers, and all impacted businesses must be notified after the change is made.If you want to change your driver's license or ID, you need to take your marriage certificate to the motor vehicles office.You will have to pay a fee.If you want to get a new Social Security card, you need to fill out an application.A current U.S. passport, birth certificate, and marriage license are acceptable supporting documentation.See the instructions on the form.
Step 11: Take a moment to think about why you want your relationship to be recognized.
A common law marriage is not possible for new couples.An existing relationship can be recognized as a marriage by a judge.Couples can get married by applying for a license and having a solemnized ceremony.There are some situations in which it makes sense to seek recognition of a common law marriage.You would like to bring a wrongful death action for the death of your spouse.You want to claim benefits.You want to inherit something.There are other reasons.It is not necessary for a common law marriage to decide child custody or child support issues.You don't need to establish the father's paternity, he can do it on his own.You might have to file a paternity suit.
Step 12: Talk to a lawyer.
You can only get advice from a lawyer.You should schedule a consultation with a lawyer.Discuss whether you should apply for a marriage license or seek a common law marriage.If your partner has died, you should talk to the attorney about opening a case.You may want to hire a lawyer to represent you.Asking friends or family for a referral can be used to find a lawyer.Ask people who have been divorced or dealt with a family law issue.You can find a family law attorney in the Utah State Bar.The bar directory can be found at www.lawyerlicensed.org.You can use the state bar's Modest Means Referral Program if you are low income.
Step 13: It is necessary to meet the requirements for a common law marriage.
Unless certain requirements are fulfilled, a judge won't recognize a relationship as a common law marriage.If you are of legal age and capable of consenting, you should be able to enter a solemnized marriage.
Step 14: Evidence of consent can be found.
The judge will need to know that both parties consented to be married.It is possible to use written agreement testimony from witnesses that they observed an agreement joint credit and bank accounts joint purchase and ownership of property filing tax returns with one partner's last name, or have the children speak of themselves as married.
Step 15: Appropriate documents can be filed with the court.
In the county where you live, you will need to file a Petition to recognize a relationship as a marriage.If you want to have your common law marriage recognized at the same time as your divorce, you should file in the county where you are divorcing.Forms for filing this petition can be found on the Utah Courts website.Unless you are filing the petition together, you will need to serve papers on your partner.Both of you can agree that you are married.The Stipulation needs to be completed and filed with the court.
Step 16: Attend a hearing.
You might have to go to court after you file your petition.Discuss what you can expect with your lawyer.The purpose of a hearing is to allow the judge to make findings of fact and decide if a valid common law marriage has existed.If someone disputes that you were married, your hearing should be boring.It is possible that your partner wants to avoid a common law marriage so that they don't get any division of property.