http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Marriage/index.html LawInfo - Legal Resource Center offers free legal forms and free legal documents that is designed to help consumers and businesses resolve their legal issues http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Marriage/Federal/what-is-the-legal-definition-of-marriage-.html Marriage is defined as a civil contract between two people who meet the legal requirements for getting married established by the state, which vary from state to state.  Generally, to be married, two people must be of opposite gender. However, some states are in the process of changing the different sex requirement. Marriage FAQs Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:14:25 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Marriage/Federal/what-is-required-to-obtain-a-marriage-license.html The requirements for the issuance of a marriage license are generally set by statute for the jurisdiction in which the marriage will occur. Generally it must state the names of the parties, their addresses, their ages and any other data required by the statute. Additionally a fee for the issuance of the license will be assessed and collected prior to issuance. As a prerequisite to issuance of the license each party will undergo a medical examination as required by that jurisdiction. Under certain limited circumstances the court is allowed to waive that requirement, however good cause must be shown. Sometimes the jurisdiction will call this solemnization without medical certificate by the term confidential marriage as the parties have been living together prior to the formalization by marriage. Marriage FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Marriage/Federal/what-does-it-take-to-solemnize-a-marriage.html The concept of solemnization of the marriage literally refers to the ceremony involved. It is not enough to simply marry within the geographical limits of a state; there must be some ceremony involved. Generally speaking there is no universal form required for solemnization of the marriage, unless set by statute, but the parties shall declare, in the presence of the person solemnizing the marriage and necessary witnesses that they take each other as husband and wife. Marriage FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Marriage/Federal/who-can-solemnize-a-marriage.html A person authorized to solemnize marriages must be a priest, minister or rabbi of any religious denomination...a judge or retired judge, commissioner of civil marriages or retired commissioner of civil marriages...a judge or magistrate who has resigned from office, or one of miscellaneous other federal and state judges, justices, magistrates, and retired judges, magistrates or justices. The duties imposed upon the person solemnizing the marriage include conducting the ceremony, insuring the correctness of the facts set out in the marriage license, issuance of the marriage certificate, and returning the license, endorsed with the fact of the marriage, to the county recorder of the county in which the marriage ceremony was performed. Marriage FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Marriage/Federal/do-i-need-to-take-a-blood-test-in-order-to-ge.html This depends on the state in which the wedding is taking place, because the rules vary from state to state. Numerous states ended premarital blood tests and/or physical exams, but some still do require tests for illnesses such as rubella, tuberculosis, and venereal disease. In addition, since the boost in HIV and AIDS, many states call for marrying parties to be offered an HIV test and/or information on accessibility of AIDS tests. Currently no states mandate a premarital HIV/AIDS test. Marriage FAQs Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:48:36 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Marriage/Federal/what-is-a-common-law-marriage-.html A small minority of states allow the creation of marriage by common law. A common law marriage is one in which there is no ceremony or marriage license. The parties must be capable of contracting and generally be of the opposite gender. A common law marriage requires an actual agreement by the two people to act as husband and wife. This agreement may be by words or conduct. In addition there must also be a holding on to of the marital status. This means the parties must represent themselves to others as married to each other, such as using the same name, calling each other husband or wife, opening joint accounts or contracting joint debt, filing a joint tax return, etc. Marriage FAQs Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:09:34 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Marriage/Federal/what-about-same-sex-marriage-is-this-legal-.html As of 2007, not unless you live in Massachusetts.  Other states such as California, Vermont, New Jersey and Connecticut recognize “domestic partnerships” or “civil unions.”  While this designation brings with it many of the same rights associated with being married, they do not bring all of the same rights.  If you live in of the states that recognize a “civil union” or a “domestic partnership” you better consult with a lawyer before you pull the trigger.  Many couples enter into these agreements without fully understanding what they are getting themselves into.  Like a divorce, a break-up from a civil union or a domestic partnership can raise many different legal issues. Marriage FAQs Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:47:53 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Marriage/Federal/are-blood-tests-required-to-get-married-.html This depends on the state in which the wedding is taking place, because the rules vary from state to state. Numerous states ended premarital blood tests and/or physical exams, but some do require tests for illnesses such as rubella, tuberculosis, and venereal disease. In addition, since the boost in HIV and AIDS, many states call for marrying parties to be offered an HIV test and/or information on accessibility of AIDS tests. Currently no states mandate a premarital HIV/AIDS test. Marriage FAQs Tue, 29 May 2007 21:19:00 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Marriage/Federal/are-spouses-obligated-to-have-children-or-to.html No. Whether married or not, an individual who wants to have a child cannot be stopped from doing so (with the possible exception of a person who is in jail.) On the other hand, an individual who does not want to have a child has a legal right to obtain and use birth control. One spouse cannot legally force the other spouse to have a child. According to the United States Supreme Court, the decision of whether or not to have a child is protected by the United States Constitution under the right of privacy. Marriage FAQs Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:51:22 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Marriage/Federal/is-one-spouse-liable-for-the-debts-the-other.html This depends on the state in which the married couple lives, but in general the answer is no. In states where community property (property owned in common by both parties) is not acknowledged, such debts belong to the spouse who incurred them. However, a spouse may, in an extraordinary situation, become legally responsible for the other spouse`s premarital debts if in a state that does recognize community property. Marriage FAQs Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:02:21 GMT http://resources.lawinfo.com/en/Legal-FAQs/Marriage/Federal/if-people-choose-to-live-together-instead-of.html Choosing to have or not have a contract is between those two people. If a legal contract is entered into, it is enforceable in the courts of most states. Preferably, have the contract written instead of verbal because a written contract is easier for the courts to enforce than a verbal contract is. Deciding who pays what bills is an issue where a contract is sometimes used. 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