If you've never planned an event like this before, it can be difficult to know how to get married in Idaho.You will need to gather all the necessary documents and get a marriage license in the County Recorder's office if you want to have a wedding.Learning how to meet all of the state requirements can make your special day run smoothly and be a joyful occasion without as much stress.
Step 1: There are Idaho marriage laws.
If you want to get a marriage license in Idaho, you need to know the state's marriage laws.There are certain conditions that must be met in order to get married.You don't have to be a resident of Idaho to get a marriage license, but your marriage ceremony must take place in Idaho.Same-sex marriages are recognized in all U.S. states.You must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian if you are 16 or 17 years old.A statement of parental consent and permission from the court is required if you are under the age of 16.In Idaho, proxy marriages are not allowed if one or both partners cannot attend the wedding.Idaho does not allow common law marriages where two partners cohabit and choose not to have a religious or civil ceremony.Marriages between relatives of any degree are not allowed and are void from the beginning.Polygamous marriages are not legal.If the former marriage has been dissolved or if the other spouse has not been seen in five years, there is only one way to marry another person.There is no requirement for a blood test in Idaho.You will need to sign a premarital AIDS educational pamphlet at the recorder's office.
Step 2: Obtain your documents.
If you meet the conditions for marriage, you will need to bring supporting documents to the county office before your marriage license will be granted.If you are a non-U.S. resident, you should bring a valid ID from the country where you hold citizenship, instead of a current driver's license.
Step 3: You have to bring cash for the fee.
You will have to pay a filing fee if you want to get a marriage license.Depending on which county you receive your marriage license in, it will cost around $30.Credit/debit card payments will be accepted at some Recorder's offices.Most do not accept checks or cards, and only accept cash.If you want to get married on a Saturday, you'll have to pay an additional fee.To find out how much your marriage license will cost and what form of payment the office accepts, contact your County Recorder's office.
Step 4: Go to the recorder's office.
The County Recorder's office issues marriage licenses in Idaho.You can find the recorder's office by searching online or by reading the phone book.You don't need an appointment to get your marriage license.You may want to call the recorder's office to make sure.You will need to provide the date of your divorce or spouse's death if you've been divorced or widowed.
Step 5: Get your marriage license.
There is no waiting period to get your marriage license.If you have all of the necessary documents and funds, you will be issued a license at the time you file for one.You will get two copies of your marriage license.One copy is yours to keep and the other must be filed with the county within 30 days of the ceremony.Your Idaho marriage license is valid.You will need to contact the Idaho Department of Vital Records and Health Statistics if you don't use it within a year.You are not married after you get a marriage license.You will need an authorized clergy member, judge, or designated official to perform a civil or religious ceremony.
Step 6: If you want to get married, choose where to do it.
You have many options when it comes to where to get married after securing your marriage license.You can get married the same day if you have a location and an officiant lined up.You don't have to get married in your county of residence if you have a marriage license in Idaho.By searching online, you can find wedding venues.You'll need to plan your venue out in advance and reserve your date to make sure it's available.A judge can marry you at the courthouse.You will need to make an appointment in order to pay additional fees.You can make an appointment for a judge to perform the ceremony by contacting your judicial secretary.
Step 7: Give an appointment to be an ombre.
You can be married by anyone who is authorized to perform weddings in a civil ceremony.A friend or relative can perform the ceremony for you.There is no state law that requires a wedding officiant to be a registered minister, but some counties have asked for proof of ordination in the past.A current/former governor or the current lieutenant governor can be authorized to be a judicial official.A current tribal judge or tribal official of an Idaho Indian tribe, or a priest/minister of any denominations are other qualified officiants.
Step 8: A civil ceremony should be held.
You can have a civil ceremony anywhere you want once you have secured a marriage license.If your marriage license was issued in Idaho, the ceremony must be held within the state.You don't need a witness for the marriage, and your ceremony can be as large or small as your location can accommodate.Similar to a religious ceremony, a civil ceremony will involve the exchange of vows and rings.A judge can perform a ceremony in a courthouse.You can choose a location that has personal significance, like a park where you had your first date, or you can decide to have the ceremony out of convenience.You can search online for ideas.There are many resorts and retreat locations in Idaho that can be used for weddings.
Step 9: You can find an oenist.
Depending on your religious affiliations, location or both, your choice of officiant may be different.You can be married by an authorized clergy member.You can legally be married by a priest in a religious ceremony.If you have someone that you would like to have become an ordinationist for, he or she can do this online.You can get ordination through a service like the Universal Life Church.It's free and doesn't last, but it may be limited to the state in which you register.
Step 10: Discuss your faith with your religious leader.
Depending on your religion, you may need to have an in-person interview with the pastor/priest/deacon who will perform your marriage.This is done to find out if there are any unresolved issues that would make a religious marriage difficult.
Step 11: There is a location that you should choose.
You can choose to hold the ceremony in the primary place of worship if you've chosen a priest/minister/rabbi.Many people have affiliations with their own place of worship and may want to have the ceremony there.You can get a date for your wedding by contacting the church.If you want to reserve a date, you need to give at least six months' notice.One of the partners is affiliated with a religion that requires the wedding to be held at a specific place of worship.If the marrying couple makes a request to their religious leader, permission can be granted to have the wedding in a different place of worship.You can find out who in your church/temple makes reservations for a wedding ceremony by looking online.Tell your pastor/priest/deacon the truth.If you lie about something, the religious leader may refuse to perform the wedding.You will need to pay for the preparation of the wedding as well as the hosting of it.These fees can be a voluntary donation or a specified amount.If you want to get married in a church, you need an official copy of your baptismal certificate.You may need to prove to the pastor/priest/deacon that you are a member of that parish.
Step 12: The ceremony should be held.
Part of a regular religious service may be included in the marriage ceremony.In a Christian wedding, the priest/deacon/pastor will give a blessing, and there will be prayers and readings from the Bible before the vows and rings are exchanged.
Step 13: Consider having a wedding reception.
Some people choose a small, private ceremony with few or no guests invited.Others plan a wedding with over 100 guests.It is mostly a matter of preference, as there is no right or wrong choice here.If you host a wedding reception, you may want to consider hiring a DJ or a caterer, as well as renting a reception hall and inviting family and friends of both partners.
Step 14: You should have the officiant submit your paperwork.
When you received your marriage license, you should have gotten a top copy with a gold seal, which is yours to keep, and a bottom copy that is kept on file as proof of the marriage.The county's copy of your marriage license must be submitted by mail or in person within 30 days of the ceremony.The officiant needs to fill out his/her name and capacity.The city, county, state, and zip code in which the ceremony was performed must be the location of the officiant's phone number and mailing address.
Step 15: You can change your name.
Both parties don't have to change their last name after being married.One partner may take the other partner's name, or both partners may choose to hyphenate their names together.You will need to change your name on your own if you decide to do so.If you want to change your name, you will need to bring a certified copy of your marriage license to both the Social Security Office and the Department of Motor Vehicles.The certified copy of your license will be mailed to you at your current address after the officiant has filed the license with the Recorder's Office.You can find your local Social Security Office by entering your zip code on the website.The Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles directory can be found at http://itd.idaho.gov/itddmv/.
Step 16: Join your families.
You will most likely move into your partner's home, your home or a brand new home after you're married.There are a lot of things you need to think about.If you move in with your partner, you'll need to change your address.You can change both your driver's license and vehicle registration with one simple form through the Idaho Transportation Department.You can submit the change of address form by mail, fax, email, or in person at your local Department of Motor Vehicles.You will be able to add your partner to your insurance policy once you're married.To add your partner's children as dependents, you need to contact your insurance agency.You can either keep your bank accounts separate or merge them.If you have different incomes and expenditures, you may decide to maintain separate accounts.Make sure both partners contribute equally to your joint bank account.If your partner knows about your other account, it won't seem like a secret.Decide on a way to split expenses.If both partners feel that the arrangement is fair and the expenses are covered, there's no right or wrong way to do this.