After The Wedding

OK. Now you’re married. Congratulations! 

What happens next? The state where your license is obtained determines what happens next. Here is a checklist of what should happen after you’ve said, “I do!”

1. Make sure your officiant completes the license and submits it to the appropriate civil authorities. If you’re getting married in Virginia or Maryland, the officiant has to return the license to the local courthouse where you obtained the license WITHIN 5 BUSINESS DAYS. My rule of thumb – mail the license off the next business morning. 
   
   NOTE – in the two jurisdictions listed, only the officiant can return the license. You (the couple) will not see the license again until you get the certified (stamped/sealed) copy.
   
   
2. If Johnson Weddings performed your ceremony, you will receive a text photo of the completed license within 24 hours of your ceremony. 
   
   
3. Make sure you get AT LEAST 5 COPIES of the license. Because there will be name changes, work changes, insurance changes, school changes, you need to submit licenses to some of these entities.
   – If you are changing your name, the Social Security Administration will need a copy. They may or may not return it. Act as if they will not. 
   – The Department of Motor Vehicles will need a copy.
   – Determine who has the better health insurance and get enrolled. (It may be cheaper for you to both have single coverage. If that’s the case, just file the license for a name change, if applicable.) Each of your HR departments will need a copy, because this is a change in status. 
   – If you have minor children from previous relationships, make sure to take a copy to the local school. There is no greater embarrassment than to go pick up your spouse’s child, only to be rebuffed because you are not on the list OR because there is no record of you legally being joined to their parent. (Also, be adults. Have the adult conversations around children and education. Just saying.)
   – Your landlord may need a copy.
   – Make sure a trusted family member has a copy in case of emergency. Disasters happen. Someone who does not live in your house needs to have access to a copy of your license if case you cannot get to a copy.
   – Make sure you keep a copy.
   
   
4. Snafus happen. Keep calm. If there is an issue with the license, let us know IMMEDIATELY. We cannot correct a problem if we don’t know it exists. 
   
   
5. Update your documents. Please make sure to update wills, durable powers of attorney, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders. Change your emergency contact information. Update the people who need to be informed – schools and landlords come to mind. Make sure these documents are able to be located in case of emergency.

For more information, please contact me at pastorguy@guysjohnson.com.