Let's not get caught up in semantics

Hey all,

I notice that the terms 'marriage license' and 'marriage certifricate' are used interchangeably in various posts. This can be quite confusing as they are distinct documents. I am going to post the meanings for each of these and if anyone has any additions or clarifications to add please feel welcome.

MARRIAGE LICENSE: This document basically gives you the green light to get married. Think of it as government approval for a petition to marry. The requirements to make this petition vary from country to country. Many resorts will ask for this information in advance so that by the time you arrive at your destination, the permission has already been granted and the wedding can proceed. This does NOT prove that you are married as the marriage would not have happened yet at this point.

MARRIAGE CERTIFRICATE: This is the document that the resort will mail to you after you have gotten married. The papers that you signed the day you got married get taken to the appropriate government agency in your destination wedding location to register your marriage. They issue the certifricate and usually will send it to the resort where you married who in turn sends it to you. This is what proves you are married and this is what you use to initiate name changes and to assert your married status in your home country.

Using the right lingo will help minimize the potential confusion.

thank you for the info!! I honestly did not know the difference but I have not done too much research yet!!

I think when people post and say either license or certificate they use it in a sentence and when one reads that sentence we know what they are talking about. So really I don't think its an issue to say one and mean the other. So you are right in your title, lets NOT get caught up in the semantics.

Very interesting... so, do you know if we need to apply for a marriage license before we are going to Mexico even if we aren't doing a legal ceremony. We will probably go to the Justice of the Peace the week after we get back. Not sure if I can get the license and the certificate of Marriage all done at the court house the same day?

Future Mrs. Howell,

Look up the rules for your county. Each one is different. I doubt you would be able to apply for a license and get married in the same day. BUT you can do that in Vegas!

Also, no you do not need to have a legal license to get married at your resort. If you aren't going for the legalities, it's just considered a "symbolic" ceremony. That's what we did- married in Vegas, "symbolic" ceremony in MX. It was just easier that way for us. Good luck.

Thank you for the info.... I haven't even started to look into that! But, I will now!

thanks so much!

teri

thanks for the info.

clarification here, its c-e-r-t-i-f-i-c-a-t-e. not c-e-r-t-i-f-r-i-c-a-t-e.

using the right word/spelling will also help minimize the potential confusion. ( sorry couldnt help it!)

Thanx for the info!