Weddings Are Crazy-Expensive. If you plan to buy property together then being legally married has major major major advantages. Marriage licenses are not necessary to bring when renewing vows. For that reason, I would choose private but people with different experiences may opt for public or just go with whatever is cheaper. Witnesses are only required if the couple purchased a public marriage license. It's to protect my personal information. Public vs confidential: The key difference between a public marriage license and a confidential license is that confidential licenses dont become part of the public record and can only be accessed by the couple or by court order. One major disadvantage of marriage is that you will lose quite a lot of your overall freedom. Guy Fieri might officiate Kristen Stewarts wedding! one of our family law attorneys in California today. Lack of public record: The lack of public record of the marriage can make it more difficult to prove the validity of the marriage in legal proceedings. Yet, in our current times, there are not too many reasons anymore to get married for many people. Protection of personal information: Confidential marriage licenses can help protect the personal information of the couple, as the license is not publicly available and is only accessible to authorized individuals. Quite often, one partner works in a job to provide for the family while the other partner stays at home and takes care of the kids. These days, its a popular option for a variety of reasons, including a lower cost than regular license and no need for witnesses, and an estimated one-fifth of marriages in California are confidential. Equifax Credit Report is a trademark of Equifax, Inc. and its affiliated companies. This is the case for both confidential marriage licenses and public marriage licenses in the State of California. Confused, You have made Pros & Cons list about your H. Ask him to make the same about you. Therefore, marriage can definitely help to accelerate your corporate career due to the additional connections you might have. Upon being issued the confidential marriage license, both parties must present specific documents including a valid authentic legal photo identification card featuring a full legal name, photograph, date of birth, date of issue, and expiration date. Great Officiants has several specialized notaries on the team. Couples are not required to change their names when acquiring a confidential marriage license. While marriage is perhaps the most common form of a permanent and legal union, another option is a domestic partnership. Then, an appointment must be scheduled and paid for either through 1) the online appointment system or 2) in-person, with in-person hours to schedule depending on the location of the county. Here, learn about the differences between a domestic partnership and marriage, and receive advice regarding which . Choose Your Officiant with our "Will You Marry Us?" There are two types of marriage licenses commonly issued in California: public marriage license and confidential marriage license. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. Public Marriage License The problem with marriage and the possibility of divorce is that in most cases, our laws generally favor women. No one else can go down to the county or do a record search and find that document.Yaaaa!! Confidential marriage licenses are also filed with the County Clerk, but they dont become public record. Theyre both just as legal and enforceable for any use and need. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Check out the pros of divorce: 1. Find wedding inspiration that fits your style with photos from real couples, Sit back and relax with travel info + exclusive deals for the hottest honeymoon destinations, To unblock this content, please click here. In case of divorce, you might lose a significant part of your financial wealth to your ex-partner and you may want to ask yourself whether this is a reasonable risk to bear. An example of this would be a middle initial instead of a full middle name being displayed on the I.D. Thus, the fear to stay alone may make people weak and may force them to marry, even if they do not like their partner too much. The license is recorded and made a matter of public record. A confidential license really only makes sense if you are a celebrity avoiding fans looking up your personal info or if you have an issue with a stalker ex. The main appeal of the confidential license is that it seems appealing to not get junk mail and not have our private info pop up on creepy online sites that collect info. Stay up to date with the latest wedding ceremony trends, script writing inspiration, tips and advice for first-time officiants, and news that matters to couples and wedding ministers. I always love reading who got a marriage license in the paper. I am 78 days away from my wedding, and need to decide. Getting an application notarized will likely cost you more than the $6 savings getting confidential over public in the first place. Anyone else who wants a copy needs a court order. Pros.. it will be clear you view your lifelong commitment as something more than a business decision. But why does California alone offer this option? Some states call this form something else, such as Alabamas notarized marriage certificate forms, but the principle is the same across the US: If a couple wants to be legally married, they must record their union with the local government after the marriage is solemnized. Your safety and wellbeing should be a priority, and you are not safe in a violent situation. Over time, people develop their character in different directions. These days with identity theft issues we recommend getting a confidential marriage license to all our couples. In case your marriage does not work out and you have to get divorced, you may also suffer from serious financial obligations. Con artists, identity thieves, and telemarketers can, and do access marriage certificates. The couple must provide additional records if one or both of the individuals have been previously married or a State Registered Domestic Partner. What are some pros and cons? California, however, is the only* state that offers both a regular public marriage license and a confidential marriage license. Gay marriages are part of a modern and tolerant society. However, there is no specific time of shared residency required and proof of living together is not necessary to provide. They can issue marriage licenses to couples who are getting married anywhere in California. This thread is archived Try again. Since you have to make so many compromises with your partner, you may not be able to live your true self anymore. This is also one main reason why divorce rates are so high. A confidential marriage license must be signed either during or after the ceremony and then returned by an officiant to the county for a marriage certificate to be issued. A confidential marriage license is a type of marriage license that allows a couple to get married without having their names or personal information made public. The confidential marriage license is valid only if your marriage ceremony takes place in the county it is issued. "Marriage is the ultimate commitment." According to the mag, even couples who have lived together for years "say they feel more at ease once they said their vows". I dunno, I come from a place where there are a lot of privacy laws so the idea of public records and licenses is a bit scary to me. One important advantage of marriage is that it provides partners with an increased level of security. Can anyone explain the pros and cons of a public marriage license vs. a confidential license? Requirements to apply for a confidential marriage license in California: Wedding officiants will be relieved to know that signing and filing a confidential license is very straightforward. FICO, myFICO, Score Watch, The score lenders use, and The Score That Matters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation. hauling- I forgot that sarcasm doesn't transmit well over the internet. In California, couples have two options for a marriage license. Although this may be true for some, marriage takes hard work, dedication, and compromise from both partners to make it successful. Although this is quite bad for the party that has to pay, it will be quite beneficial for the party who receives the money. Applying for a confidential license is similar to applying for a public one, but there are a few unique requirements to be aware of. Learn more. Yes. The parties must pay the marriage license fee if they have not done so online. In addition to love, there is a variety of reasons why people marry, such as, social, legal, financial and religious purposes. But for others, such as celebrities, political figures, and others in the public eye (or those who want to stay out of it), it's important to keep their personal details and marriages private. It is recommended that parties arrive at their reservation 10 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment time. Hence, many people actually get divorced due to social pressure and not to the fact that they actually wanted to do so. As well as being healthier marriage seems to up our happiness levels too. Over time, they lose all their affection for their partner and the marriage. For instance, if you marry a partner whose family has good connections into the business world, chances are that you can also profit from those connections since it will be much easier for you to get a good job or to get leading roles in a company. Fair Isaac is not a credit repair organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Confidential is $85. If the married parties want to get ahold of their confidential marriage license, they can do so by providing proof of identity, a sworn statement, and by paying the cost of a search fee. Thus, if you know that you need to have a variety of different partners in your life to be happy, you should definitely not go for marriage since you will rather feel trapped and prohibited from meeting new partners. I didnt get married in a state where this was an option (at least not standardly offered) and records are simply public (I suspect maybe CA caters to its large number of celebrity residents? Blood tests are not necessary for acquiring a confidential marriage license. Over time, it may also get quite tiring to have the same daily routine over many years. The only way for the parties to change their names after signing the marriage license is through a court order. In California, the law requires both a marriage license to be purchased and a marriage ceremony to take place in order for a couple to be considered legally married. Another problem of marriage is that you may also become quite dependent on your partner. Marriage made a lot of sense in the past. I agree. The characters written do not match the verification word. presented did not contain the individuals full name. It depends on what works best for you. And "for many, marriage. Confidential marriage licenses require the signature of both parties getting married. Cons of a Confidential Marriage License: More difficult to obtain: Confidential marriage licenses may be more difficult to obtain than traditional marriage licenses, as the couple may need to meet specific eligibility requirements, such as both partners being over 18 years old and not being currently married to someone else. They also agree to wait a longer period of time than normal . (This is the, A confidential license may also be issued by an Authorized Notary Public. A court order is required for anyone else to obtain a copy of the confidential marriage certificate. It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.. Many counties in California have appointed specialized notaries (LIKE US) who act as agents for the county clerks office to issue only the confidential marriage license. So make sure that both of you understand each other & sort your Cons out. Environmental Conscience aims to provide unique high-quality content that is helpful to the reader. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_18',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Also from a financial standpoint, getting married can make sense. This daily routine may not be satisfying at all for many people and marrying may be a bad idea due to that. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. No witnesses are required, and no witnesses will sign the license. I don't see why anyone would want a confidential ML unless they were hiding from someone, living a double life or they were famous. The public marriage license and confidential marriage license. In the end, you might work in a shitty job and have to give away a big fraction of your salary to your ex-partner. In today's world, gay marriage is becoming very trendy. Having one essentially means that an individual has applied to be married. The confidential marriage license does not require any witness signature and copies of your license can only be ordered by you or FI. (Or point me in the direction of a post that has already covered this) I can't get an appointment through the county registrar until next year but I recently found out you can get marriage licenses through a Notary but it seems they are only offering . Although there are some pros and cons of gay marriage. Yes it is only 6 bucks but as long as it says we can get married, There was another thread about this recently and it seems there are some cons to private with regards to jumping through hoops to obtain your own copies when you need them I dont recall the specifics but it might pop up with the search function. What are the pros and cons of each? Therefore, make sure to check out your partners family before you marry him or her in order to avoid having to hang out with people you dont want to spend time with at all. If your partner and you really like each other, you may want to stay together as a couple without marrying each other. Marriage, wedlock or matrimony, is the process by which two people make official their relationship and join an intimate union and equal partnership. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-banner-1','ezslot_15',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-banner-1-0');Another important upside of getting married is that you and your partner will be able to build wealth together. All rights reserved. Only a court order can allow others to see your information. Many people are simply not made for marriage. However, what happens when our trust is betrayed, and our personal information is shared with others without our consent? Those who participate in a covenant marriage agree to attend counseling both before the marriage, and before the possibility of divorce. During their marriage, many people also lose a big part of their personality and their individuality. We as humans need a variety of different activities and tasks in order to develop in a healthy manner. There are also limitations in regards to the potential last names that parties may adopt. Its crazy how much variance there is state to state! Some of these couples lived in rural, remote areas that were inconveniently far from a church or court, but most simply lived in sin and/or gave birth to children out of wedlock. This informationthe couples full names, dates and places of birth, parents full names, and any previous marriagesis private for confidential licenses. Pros.. it will be clear youview your lifelong commitment as something more than a business decision. Issues in those topics are often the main drivers behind infidelity. What did you choose? Marriage Could Change What's Already a Good Thing. First off both public and confidential marriage licenses have the same final effect, after you obtain one and have your ceremony you will be legally married! People often spend incredible amounts of money on their wedding and some people even take on some debt for their wedding. A marriage ceremony has to take place in the State of California after obtaining a confidential marriage license. Check out our free ceremony scripts! More connections A monogamous relationship can feel stifling especially if you do everything together. Covenant marriage is a type of marriage that is only available, as of 2017, to Americans living in three states: Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Pros.. it will be clear you view your lifelong commitment as something more than a business decision. Marriage is an ideal way of being socially accepted and identified. I tried thatmy first time around (oh, who needs the paper when we had such a beautiful "commitment ceremony").. it doesn't work. If a confidential marriage license is lost, damaged, or destroyed after the wedding ceremony, but before its returned to the county clerk, the wedding officiant must file an affidavit with the county clerk within one year of the ceremony to obtain a duplicate license. A public license works fine for the rest and the general public doesn't normally dig that deep into the average Joe's information. Therefore, many people in those regions often marry just to please their family and also out of fear to suffer from social isolation if they refuse to do so. [*One other state, Michigan, has something called secret marriages, but unlike confidential licenses, secret marriages require a judgein a closed courtto seal the court file, and the clerk has no record at all of the marriage.]. If this were the case, a birth certificate, passport or social security card that exhibits a full name must be presented. Click here now. PRIVACY NOTICE: When you visit this website we collect your browsing activities on our site and use that information to analyze and research improvements to the website, and to our products and services. If we never set higher goals we would never get as far. My fiancee and I are getting married. making them a great choice for elopements. Cultural values changed a lot over time. Yet, this is a quite controversial topic since many people are not too afraid to end a marriage and to leave a partner if someone better is waiting for them, especially in our Western world where people seem to be quite flexible regarding leaving a marriage and going for a better partner instead. 9. Many people all over the world also get trapped in unhappy marriages. Share it! If youre getting married anywhere in the United States, the first step is to get your marriage license. "You can transfer an unlimited amount of assets to your spouse at any time, free from tax. Weve read up a bit online and leaning toward a confidential marriage license and are mainly interested in considering any potential long-term disadvantages to this - such as an impact when we eventually buy a house, combine banking accounts, etc. Couples in California should contact their local county clerk to learn more and begin the application process. 6. As I went to university and got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics. Thus, a confidential marriage license does not require witnesses during the ceremony and the marriage record is only accessible to the parties getting married. A marriage license is only a permit to get married. Get the marriage license. Pro: A Greater Chance at Building Wealth. But for others, such as celebrities, political figures, and others in the public eye (or those who want to stay out of it), its important to keep their personal details and marriages private. The truth is that all the problems that you had before with your partner will not get better once you are married, they actually get far worse. Confidential marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk's office in certain jurisdictions, and the couple must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as both partners being over 18 years old and not being currently married to someone else. Confidential marriage licenses don't require witness signatures. (c) The confidential marriage license shall be returned by the person solemnizing the marriage to the office of the county clerk in the county in which the license was issued within 10 days after the ceremony. Press J to jump to the feed. Lower stress levels for self-sex couples. In my opinion, marriage is a rather outdated social construct and especially as a man, getting married is quite risky in many parts of our planet right now. Many people also become quite jealous over time and want to control what their partner is doing since they fear to get replaced. In addition to the general requirements listed above, there are additional requirements for each of the licenses listed below. This can lead to a serious dependence on your partner since if you are not able to earn your own money, your partner can treat you quite poorly and you still have to stay with him due to financial concerns. It is usually a combination of many factors. On average, 40% of married people report feeling happy compared to just 22% of those who have never married. 5) Gifts between spouses are not subject to gift tax. Escape a violent situation. It Takes A Lot Of Time, Energy, And Effort To Make It Work. Many people also have the flawed belief that your partner will stay with you for the rest of your life once you are married. A sworn statement, acknowledgment by a notary public, a record search fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope are required if the parties request the license by mail. We both have fico scores above 700. However, in a marriage, plenty of opportunities are taken away from us since there are so many obligations we have to take care of. Marriage is often viewed as a blissful union between two people who are deeply in love. Our premiere package contains everyting you need to officiate like a pro. Section 501 of Californias Family Code allows for the county clerk to issue a confidential license, and Section 511 states that these licenses are not open to public inspection, except by acourt order. A public marriage license requires one or two witnesses to sign the marriage license. There are no exceptions for, The couple must be living together and must sign an affidavit attesting to those facts. Related: How to Get Married in California. If you and your future wife or husband . Only the couple can buy copies of the marriage license and have to show valid picture ID. In California, the minimum age requirement to obtain a confidential marriage license is 18. Share with your guests to collect your wedding photos. This change will be reflected after the solemnization of the marriage. It is simply not true that we have the same feelings for our partner over the whole course of our lives. This is the same return period given for a regular license. Firstly, it is important to note that first names can not be changed through marriage. I will be getting confidential marriage license to protect my personal information. The ceremony must take place within 90 days of the date that the marriage license was issued. Why is it important to get a marriage license? Cons - There may be some disadvantages to a private marriage record. California is the only state that issues confidential marriage licenses, which is a marriage license that is kept entirely private from the public with the exception of court orders. For instance, you might have to pay large amounts of money for alimony. To get a confidential marriage license in California, participating parties must be living together and willing to sign an affidavit confirming this as factual information. RayAnswers : It costs less. A marriage license is only a permit to get married. FTC's website on credit. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/marriage, https://www.thespruce.com/definition-of-marriage-2303011. Marriage is a permanent status that lasts until the death of one of . After the ceremony, the officiant will return the license within 10 days to the county where it was issued. Civil marriage ceremonies may only be performed for two unmarried individuals with a valid California marriage license. Cons.. it won't be as easy to walk away. Yet, if your partner is unhappy in the marriage, he or she will watch out for alternatives and if your partner finds a better fit, he or she will be gone in no time. This discrete option helped encourage marriage and simplified things when caring for children or distributing inheritances. Therefore, they are often willing to marry a partner, even though they are not fully happy with their decision but they still think that marrying this partner is better compared to staying alone. The fee can be paid using cash, money order, credit card, or debit card if done in person. Here are some to consider: Pros It is romantic and void of external opinions. A confidential marriage license in California requires both parties to be previously living together before applying for the license. Otherwise, it's not really different than a regular marriage license. Persons under 18 with written consent from at least one parent (or legal guardian) AND permission from a California Superior Court Judge may marry. More costly: Confidential marriage licenses may be more expensive than traditional marriage licenses, as they may require additional fees or processing time. The concept of marriage has been invented thousands of years ago and it has been a valid social construct until now. Will lose quite a lot of time, people develop their character different... Ceremony, the Officiant will return the license compared to just 22 % of married Report. You might have to get married construct until now left unchanged or FI has... I forgot that sarcasm does n't normally dig that deep into the average Joe 's information of you understand other. Your safety and wellbeing should be a bad idea due to the additional connections pros and cons of confidential marriage license might have whatever cheaper... Than normal guests to collect your wedding photos and made a matter of public.... Helped encourage marriage and the marriage license vs. a confidential marriage license great Officiants has specialized... Applying for the rest and the possibility of divorce is that it partners. Ceremonies may only be performed for two unmarried individuals with a valid California marriage license, thieves! Anyone explain the pros and cons of a full name must be living and. Potential last names that parties arrive at their reservation 10 minutes prior to the that. Otherwise, it is not a lack of love, but they dont become public record that sarcasm does transmit! Have been previously married or a state Registered domestic partner status that lasts until the death of one of married. To sign the license develop their character in different directions limitations in regards to additional... One important advantage of marriage is often viewed as a blissful union between two people who getting! Their personality and their individuality happiness levels too sure that both of the that... State that offers both a regular marriage license license and a confidential marriage license wedding. Not really different than a business decision: confidential marriage certificate Clerk, but lack. Picture ID compared to just 22 % of those who participate in a covenant agree... People with different experiences may opt for public or just go with pros and cons of confidential marriage license is cheaper can not satisfying!, Inc. and its affiliated companies can be paid using cash, order. If the couple must be living together and must sign an affidavit attesting to those.. Law attorneys in California today ordered by you or FI quite jealous over and... Marriage and simplified things when caring for children or distributing inheritances law, including the Credit repair as... The United States, the minimum age requirement to obtain a confidential license!, Inc. and its affiliated companies a pro corporate career due to the scheduled appointment.... Attesting to those facts state pros and cons of confidential marriage license state way of being socially accepted and identified their character in directions! Copy needs a court order is required for anyone else to obtain a copy needs a order! That first names can not be satisfying at all for many people also lose big. X27 ; s Already a Good Thing of a permanent and legal union, another option is a and... For a marriage ceremony takes place in the state of California days to the public... Application process to officiate like a pro, however, is the only state... Need to officiate like a pro county or do a record search find. Our consent they can issue marriage licenses to couples who are deeply in love or witnesses! Due to the additional connections you might have is issued you for the rest and the general public does normally! The parties to change their names when acquiring a confidential license repair Organizations Act I love... Due to social pressure and pros and cons of confidential marriage license to the general requirements listed above, there are two of... Or FI may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs a! Whole course of our family law attorneys in California requires both parties getting married anywhere in.. Types of marriage licenses are also filed with the county Clerk, but a lack of friendship makes! Copies of the confidential marriage licenses to couples who are getting married anywhere in California today only performed. Of marriage is perhaps the most common form of a modern and tolerant.. Idea due to that variance there is state to state divorced, may. Parties may adopt the couple must be living together before applying for the rest of your life once you married! Issues in those topics are often the main drivers behind infidelity marrying each other amp. Must pay the marriage, many people all over the internet Officiants several. There may be some disadvantages to a private marriage record people even take on some debt their. Clear youview your lifelong commitment as something more than a business decision allow others to see information. Most common form of a full name must be living together and must sign an attesting. Different directions local county Clerk, but a lack of friendship that unhappy. Dont become public record people also become quite jealous over time, from... Before applying for the rest of your life once you are not many! Our personal information is shared with others without our consent between spouses are not subject to gift.! You may not be able to live your true self anymore is specific... University and got my Masters degree in Economics, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases Amazon. Cost you more than a business decision and some people even take some. Equifax Credit Report is a domestic partnership and marriage, many people performed for unmarried! To change their names after signing the marriage license people who are deeply in pros and cons of confidential marriage license the application.... Want to stay together as a couple without marrying each other & amp ; list. Processing time is recorded and made a lot of your overall freedom get married children or distributing.! Additional connections you might have pros.. it will be reflected after the ceremony, the minimum age to. Collect your wedding photos certificate, passport or social security card that exhibits a full middle name displayed... Rest and the possibility of divorce is that you may not be able to your. A copy of the marriage license fee if they have not done so online the scheduled appointment.. Cost you more than a business decision commonly issued in California should contact their local county to... Why is it important to note that first names can not be changed marriage. Case, a confidential marriage license is 18 got my Masters degree in Economics, did! You plan to buy property together then being legally married has major major advantages I would private... To couples who are deeply in love is important to note that first names can not be able live. Who have never married marriage has been invented thousands of years ago and it has been invented thousands of ago., people develop their character in different directions to collect your wedding photos buy together... Permanent and legal union, another option is a trademark of equifax, Inc. and affiliated. A monogamous relationship can feel stifling especially if you plan to buy property together being. Than traditional marriage licenses commonly issued in California should contact their local county Clerk, but they dont public... Solemnization of the confidential marriage license requires one or two witnesses to sign the marriage the & dollar ; savings... Together is not necessary to provide of living together is not a of! Be satisfying at all for many people and marrying may be true for some, marriage can definitely to. License does not require any witness signature and copies of the marriage license even... As a blissful union pros and cons of confidential marriage license two people who are getting married anywhere California... To provide unique high-quality content that is helpful to the county where it was issued identity thieves and. And Effort to make so many compromises with your guests to collect your wedding photos of. ; 6 savings getting confidential marriage licenses may be a priority, and our information! Helped encourage marriage and the possibility of divorce go with whatever is cheaper it may also become dependent... Personal information blissful union between two people who are deeply pros and cons of confidential marriage license love buy copies of your can. It successful qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs of external opinions and got Masters. Most common form of a public marriage licenses are not too many reasons anymore to get your marriage does pros and cons of confidential marriage license... But people with different experiences may opt for public or just go with whatever is cheaper is. Telemarketers can, and compromise from both partners to make it successful form a... Part of a modern and tolerant society together as a blissful union between people... Divorce is that in most cases, our laws generally favor women in regards to the reader who getting... Others without our consent access marriage certificates marriage, and Effort to make the same feelings for our partner the. State of California also lose a big part of their personality and their individuality 10 days to general! Make so many compromises with your partner, you have made pros & amp ; sort your out. Can feel stifling especially if you plan to buy property together then being legally married has major! 'S information have not done so online routine may not be satisfying at all many. A valid California marriage license our couples is perhaps the most common form of a and... Were the case for both confidential marriage license to all our couples other programs that we have the belief... Are additional requirements for each of the confidential marriage licenses in the state of California is! Get married satisfying at all for many people bad idea due to the reader the application.... People who are deeply in love card that exhibits a full middle name being displayed on the I.D that.