Can a Couple Marry Themselves?

The ability for a couple to marry themselves, or a common law marriage, can depend significantly on the local laws and regulations of the region they are in. This article explores the concept from different perspectives, including legal, religious, and practical viewpoints.

Legal Perspectives: Common Law Marriage in the U.S.

In Texas and a few other states in the U.S., a couple can indeed marry themselves through a process known as a common law marriage. This is an informal marriage that officially allows two individuals to declare themselves as married without an official ceremony or formal registration. For a common law marriage to be valid, the couple must:

Be of legal age to marry. Not be already married to someone else. Intend to be married. Hold themselves out as married to the community.

It is also highly recommended to fill out a Registration of Informal Marriage to formalize this arrangement. While a common law marriage can be legally recognized in the state where it took place, it may not be recognized in other states or by other institutions, such as employers or health insurance providers.

Religious Perspectives: Can a Couple Marry Themselves?

From a religious perspective, particularly for Christian denominations like the Episcopal Church, the concept of a couple marrying themselves is still valid. According to Episcopal teachings, the couple themselves can perform the sacrament by committing to each other in a marriage ceremony. The priest or minister's role is to provide spiritual support and to solemnize the event, not to marry the couple in the legal sense. Thus, the couple can marry themselves as they see fit, provided they adhere to the religious principles and rituals.

State-Specific Regulations: Elopements and Self-Solemnization

In some states, a couple can indeed marry themselves without the need for a formal officiant. For instance, in Colorado, couples can obtain a marriage license and perform the ceremony themselves. The couple can then sign the paperwork and send it in to the local government to officially recognize their union. This process makes Colorado a popular spot for elopements, which are informal marriage ceremonies that do not require a formal officiant.

In other states, such as Pennsylvania, a similar process is allowed, but it requires two witnesses to sign the contract to legalize the union. This added step adds a layer of formality, even though the couple performs the ceremony by themselves.

Some states, particularly those with Quaker traditions, allow for self-solemnization, which is the act of a couple marrying themselves without an officiant. However, certain requirements must be met for these marriages to be officially recognized.

Modern Marriage Laws and Practices

In most modern places, a couple cannot marry themselves without an officiant and proper registration. Marriage is a legally recognized union that requires the signatures of a qualified official, such as a minister or justice of the peace, and must be registered with local government. Some governments may also require witnesses to sign the form.

Despite these strict laws, couples are free to live together, love each other, and form relationships without involving the government. However, marriage involves more than just a personal commitment between two individuals; it involves societal and legal obligations. Marriage is a legal and social construct that may imply certain rights and responsibilities to the state, employers, and other institutions. Thus, it is important for couples to understand the implications of getting married and whether it is necessary for their specific circumstances.

In summary, whether a couple can marry themselves depends heavily on where they live and the legal and religious practices in their region. It is crucial to understand the requirements and implications of such a marriage before taking any steps to form one.