Licenses and Required State Documents
In addition to the religious documents such as the ketubah and tanaim that might be signed at the tish, most states require that a license or wedding certificate be signed by the rabbi and two witnesses. Of course, there are no Jewish religious requirements of witnesses for the wedding license; they may be any United States citizen over eighteen years of age. After the marriage license is signed by your officiant and the witnesses, it must be mailed back to the proper state office to be officially recorded and recognized.
You will need to apply for your state wedding license in advance of your wedding in most states. If you have been married before, states require proof of the dissolution of your previous marriage. Some states require a blood test. While a state marriage license is of no significance in the eyes of Jewish law, without a marriage license your wedding will not be recognized by your state government, which might be problematic when you try to pay taxes or buy insurance as a couple.
You and your fiancé will obtain a wedding license and marriage certificate from your state before the wedding. The rabbi and witnesses will sign a marriage certificate to prove that the wedding ceremony was correctly conducted. It is this certificate section of the licensure that is then mailed back to the state's recording office.
Most states charge fees of approximately $50 for marriage licenses, and some have a waiting period of several days. Most states require that both the bride and groom be at least eighteen years of age without written parental consent, and people under certain ages may only be married with the consent of parents and a local judge.
