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self uniting marriage license?

xsinfulangelxsinfulangel
10 Comments
in Pennsylvania-Philadelphia
so in my ongoing research online, i stumble across in PA you can get a self uniting marriage license. it seems interesting. i wanted my best friend to "officiate" the ceremony, but he's not anything special that can marry us. and from my understanding as long as he doesn't say by the state of pennsylvania or anything like that we're golden. just interested if any of you ladies have gone this route?
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Re: self uniting marriage license?

  • caraellen23caraellen23
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My former boss did this.  She and her husband went to a cabin and declared themselves married.  I don't see why you can't still have a friend officiate a ceremony if they don't sign anything or say anything legal.
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  • nancyrnancyr member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Delaware County gives you a lot of static unless you are a Quaker.  Philadelphia isn't so picky.  I have read some couples are concerned about how legal things will be in years to come if you get one now, so you might want to also get married at city hall even if it's after the fact.  I think it's a great idea as well, but do worry about the legalities.  You don't have to get the license in the county you are getting married in, just a FYI.  Best of luck.  Let us know what you find out. 
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  • xsinfulangelxsinfulangel
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm going to have to call City Hall. We're getting married and reside in Philadelphia county so that's not the issue. I guess I'm just trying to save some money too. We could just get hitched at City Hall, but then we'd have two separate dates.. my FMIL would NOT like that at all..
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  • joysaw00joysaw00 member
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I've officiated weddings with couples who have used self-uniting licenses. They have not had any problems, and FWIW, whether some city clerk decides to give you "flack" for the kind of license you choose is really irrelevent (not to mention unprofessional!)

    Either self-uniting licenses are legal, or they aren't, and the fact is, they ARE legal in PA. So, it really doesn't matter whether some low-level clerk likes them or not!

    Also, a county cannot go back and retroactively decide that a certain license is not legal or valid. If they choose to do away with them in the future, it would only apply to future weddings.

    I'm not a lawyer, by the way, but this is legal 101, I think.

    I say, have fun with your friend officiant and go with what you want! A trip to City Hall would be redundant.

    joysa
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