Book Opener

Figure 31.3U.S. Marriage Laws Summary TableState Age Waiting Blood Cost Validity ResidencyRequirement Period Test of Licensefor License for LicenseAlabama 18 None None $25 30 Days NoneAlaska 18 3 Days None $25 90 Days NoneArizona 18 None None $50 1 Year NoneArkansas 18 None None $30 60 Days NoneCalifornia 18 None None $50-$80 90 Days NoneColorado 18 None None $20 30 Days NoneConnecticut 18 Varies Varies $35 25-35 Days NoneDelaware 18 24 Hours Yes $35 30 Days NoneDistrict of Columbia 18 3 Days Yes $35 Indefinitely NoneFlorida 18 3 Days None $56-$88.50 60 Days NoneGeorgia 18 None Yes $40 None NoneHawaii 18 None None $50 30 Days NoneIdaho 18 None None $28 Indefinitely NoneIllinois 18 None None $15-$20 60 Days NoneIndiana 18 None None $18 60 Days YesIowa 18 3 Days None $30 None NoneKansas 18 3 Days None $50 6 Months NoneKentucky 18 None None $34.50 29 Days NoneLouisiana 18 3 Days None $25 30 Days NoneMaine 18 3 Days None $20 90 Days NoneMaryland 18 2 Days None $55 6 Months NoneMassachusetts 18 3 Days Yes $25 60 Days NoneMichigan 18 3 Days None $20-$35 33 Days NoneMinnesota 18 None None $70 6 Months NoneMississippi 21 3 Days Yes $21 90 Days NoneMissouri 18 3 Days None $50 30 Days NoneMontana 18 3 Days None $50 30 Days NoneMARRIAGE LAWSMarriage laws differ fromstate to state and oftenchange. How would youfind out your state’s currentmarriage requirements?A few states do not regard the last two elements as essential to avalid common-law marriage. If a common-law marriage is properlyentered into in a state that recognizes such relationships, then it will beregarded as a valid marriage in any other state, as Robin suggests inThe Opening Scene.682 Unit 7: Planning for the FutureExample 4. Henry Lewiston and Elka Swenson say to each otherthat they are married. They cohabit in the state of Rhode Islandand introduce themselves as husband and wife to people theymeet. However, they have never had a marriage ceremony. Later,they move to Massachusetts, which does not recognize the common-lawmarriage. That state would nonetheless regard Henry