How do you decide when to get married (the legal marriage) after interview?

[Emancipation 2]

I moved on February 5th to the US, and we were married on the 9th.. We wanted to get married as soon as possible as well. We got married by the Justice of the Peace in our apartment. There was no "family" in this state to co-ordinate, so it was just hubby & I there.. SO it can be done quick like

Our license was a 15 min process, no waiting period.. easy peesy!

Did the Justice of the Peace cost much money? We were planning on just going to the courthouse/County Clerk's office...but would rather something more personal... I'm just concerned it might cost $100+ and we'd need to schedule him/her in advance.

Here in CT the JP cost us 50$... and the licence was around 30$.. Our J/P was listed on www.findajp.com and he was very easy to work with. He was available at any time, and came to our apt for that price!

[Melyssa 0]

We live in a pretty small town; may be why the JOP was so flexible. She knew the people we had bought our house from, etc etc etc .... all the perks of small town living! She didn't charge much at all .... I think maybe 30 or 40 dollars. We gave her a bit more, because she trekked to our house in the middle of a snowstorm!!!!!

What state are you getting married in?

New Jersey, probably... but New York is also an option. Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are minor options as well but not very likely. Wish California was closer, so we could get our own personal officiant, lol.. or that they'd change the laws so we could do that in NJ!

Only $30 or $40? Wow! Okay, I am going to start looking these folks up

Edited May 25, 2007 by melytha

[Melyssa 0]

Did the Justice of the Peace cost much money? We were planning on just going to the courthouse/County Clerk's office...but would rather something more personal... I'm just concerned it might cost $100+ and we'd need to schedule him/her in advance.

You might want to start searching around now and have a list ready. You'd probably have to schedule in advance if you want them to come to your house. We got married by a JoP in his house. Cost us $75 and only 3 days in advance. Most of them just do it on the side for extra cash so if they can accomodate you, they probably will.

That sounds good!

Hmmm... nobody in NJ listed on http://www.findajp.com

Edited May 25, 2007 by melytha

[misa 2]

First, investigate how long it takes to get a license in the area you're getting married in. Some places take awhile and some issue on the spot. I believe that some county clerk's websites also list all the JoPs that are licensed/certified/whatever in their area. That's how we found ours, through the county clerk's website.