Poll: If America is the land of the "Free" why do we need the governments permission to get married ?
Acquiring a marriage license,
a document issued by a governmental authority that allows two people to get married.
Getting a marriage license only means that you're legally allowed to get married to your betrothed, not that you actually are married.Oct 6, 2019The Spruce › ... › WeddingsWhat's the Purpose of a Marriage License? - The Spruce
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Answers & Comments
In some States, like California, no one needs the permission of the government to get married. We have common-law marriages where a man and woman live together for some number of years and qualify to be treated as legally married under law. But if you wish to use that legal status for some reason, you will need a certificate to show you are married. In other words the purpose of a certificate or that marriage license is to show you are married if you need to show that for some reason. That license will be signed by whomever performed the marriage.
ONLY to be married under the 'law' ... as there are tax-breaks given to married couples BY the government they have to know you're really married UNDER THE LAW ..............