Marriage license in 2 states?

medinabm

We live on he border of NY and PA. We will be getting married in a park in NY state so we will apply for a NY state marriage license. Our backup plan if it rains will be to have the ceremony at our reception site but that is in PA. I'm wondering if anyone has heard of getting a license for each state just in case, and would the same officiant be able to conduct over border if necessary? I'm stumped.

2dBride

Having two marriage licenses is not an issue, other than the payment of a second fee.  Obviously, you just wouldn't use one of them.

You will have to look at the rules for each state to determine whether the same officiant would work for both of them.  Some states have special rules applicable to out-of-state clergy, e.g., requiring them to register in advance.  And people ordained online are problematic in many states.

Milsey32

Call your county clerk's office (in the county of each site) to see what they have to say about your officiant (where were they ordained?) Hopefully you'll be fine... best of luck! 

GeauxTigers17

I'd definitely get two licenses in this situation, and check asap about the officiant. In my state, their powers are state-specific (and sometimes even parish specific!) so this could be a big deal.

KelaRenee

That's because Louisiana is crazy!  (I'm from Shreveport originally.) 

NOLAbridealmost

Louisiana IS crazy, but I still think the state thing could be a really big deal if PA doesn't allow judges/etc. from NY to officiate weddings in PA and vice versa.  Just call the local court for both venues and explain the situation and see what they recommend.  It might not even end up being a big deal, but it's best to check.