Arkansas Wedding Ideas - Bride's Room

Congratulations on your recent engagement!

(photo courtesy of Larry Odom of focus photography. www.focusphotographybylarryodom.com)

This page has a lot of information; I hope it will be helpful to everyone: changing your name, Arkansas marriage requirements, covenant marriage, and county clerk locations.

Changing your Name:

There are numerous places that offer to sell you name change kits. The kits average about $30. The good news is that you can download or do things on your own without spending the $30. (You may opt to keep your maiden name after you marry in all states except Hawaii.)

*Where possible, request extra copies of your certified marriage certificate.
*To change your name for social security purposes: you will be keeping your number but changing your name. The form is on page 5 of the document. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.pdf
*To change your name at work or school tell your Human Resource Dept., your boss, or registrar; they'll provide you with an employee/student change form. You may also need a copy of your marriage certificate.
*To change your name on your passport (this takes awhile) get started right away:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/DS-0019.pdf
*Call your bank to see what documents you need, if any, to change your name on your accounts.
*To change your address: this page expires but hit the CLICK HERE button to be directed to the site. https://moversguide.usps.com/mgservice/SCOA
*To change your name on your voter registration card http://www.fec.gov/votregis/pdf/nvra.pdf then mail it to: Secretary of State Voter Services P.O. Box 8111, Little Arkansas72203
*To change your name with the IRS: no need to do anything because IRS records are generally updated 10 days after the records at the Social Security Administration are changed.
*Call your doc and dentist and let them know about your name change.
*Tell Arkansas about your upcoming wedding by listing in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette http://www.ardemgaz.com/Info/bridaled.asp

Arkansas Marriage Laws:

Residency Requirement: You do not have to be a resident of Arkansas. License can be used anywhere in Arkansas.

Previous Marriage: You will need to show your divorce decree, or have information regarding date, county and state of death of previous spouse. If you name has changed, you need to bring a certified copy of your divorce decree.

Covenant Marriage Option: Yes.

Waiting Period: None.

Fees: $35 - $47 approximately, cash only. May vary from county to county.

Other Tests: No blood or medical tests required.

Proxy Marriages: No.

Cousin Marriages: No.

Common Law Marriages: No.

Same Sex Marriages: No.

Under 18: Parental consent is needed if under 18 years of age. You need to present a state certified copy of your birth certificate, an active Military ID card, or a valid passport. Your parent must be present to sign the marriage book with the applicants when the license is issued. If a parent is unable to sign, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, you must produce certified papers for verification of those circumstances. Males under the age of 17 and females under 16 cannot marry without a court order. This is usually given only in extreme circumstances, such as if the female is pregnant or the couple already has a child together.

Officiants: Ministers must have their credentials recorded in one of Arkansas' 75 counties.

Witnesses: Witnesses are not required.

Miscellaneous: License is valid for sixty (60) days. It must be returned used or unused, within 60 days to the County Clerk's Office where you applied for recording or a $100 Bond will be executed against all applicants. The Arkansas Marriage Laws information section was provided by: http://marriage.about.com/cs/marriagelicenses/p/arkansas.htm

What is a Covenant Marriage? http://www.arkansas.gov/governor/programs/index.html#Marriage

Want to check on something more specific in your county regarding marriage licenses? Contact these offices:

Arkansas County Clerk's Office

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