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What Man's Law Says & What God's Law In God's Word Says

MAN'S LAW

A marriage may be solemnized by a judge of a court, by a court magistrate, by a retired judge of a court, by a public official whose powers include solemnization of marriages, by the parties to the marriage, or in accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination or Indian nation or tribe

Either the person solemnizing the marriage or, if no individual acting alone solemnized the marriage, a party to the marriage shall complete the marriage certificate form and forward it to the county clerk and recorder within x-amount of days (reg wedding) or 90 days (K1 Fiancé Visa) after the solemnization. Any person who fails to forward the marriage certificate to the county clerk and recorder as required by their individual state shall be required to pay a late fee (check with your individual state). An additional late fee may be assessed for each additional day of failure to comply with the forwarding requirements (check with your individual state).  K1 Fiancé Visas only have 90 days

For purposes of determining whether a late fee shall be assessed, the date of forwarding shall be deemed to be the date of postmark (check with your individual state).  K1 Fiancé Visas only have 90 days

GOD'S LAW IN GOD'S WORD

The bible has much to say about marriage. Indeed the imagery of marriage plays an important part in the unfolding story of God’s commitment to us. Starting with Gen 2 where Adam and Eve are from the one flesh and set a precedence for those who follow with instructions to leave their father and mother and be united in ‘one flesh’. This relationship is important to God. It reflects his own relationship within himself (Father, Son and Spirit all in relationship with each other) and his relationship with humanity - particularly Israel (Isa 54:1-10, Jer 3:14). It is also the image that is used to describe Jesus’ relationship with the church (Eph 5:22-33, Rev 19, Rev 21)

Generally, this does not happen automatically when a couple begins married life. But if they choose to make Christ central, this is the way their relationship will work and develop. This is not the Hollywood version, but it is God’s blueprint!  Certainly, the Bible teaches clearly against unequal yoking (
2 Cor 6:14, I Cor 7:39). And this requirement should be non-negotiable. However, there will be many occasions when the Christian Officiant will be uneasy about marrying couples where a profession of faith has seemed questionable or who will seem to be mis-matched in terms of their spiritual maturity

The key to this relationship is faithfulness. As God is faithful so the husband and wife are to be faithful. God hates divorce (
Mal 2:16) and condemns Israel for being unfaithful to him (Jer 3). God’s expectation of marriage is that it is a lifelong singular commitment to your partner - no exceptions

T
wo committed Christians intentionally bringing their faith into their marriage and allowing Christ to impact every area of their lives:
their spiritual growth (as brother and sister in Christ);
the way they set up and use their home;
their involvement in their local church;
the use of their spiritual gifts (individually and together);
the way they manage their finances;
their attitude to material things;
the way they raise their children;
even how their sexual relationship works

In practical terms, what might this look like?
Reading the Bible and praying together regularly;
Sharing what God is doing in each other’s lives;
Confessing their sins to each another;
Holding each other accountable in the struggle with temptations and sinful habits;
Encouraging each other and bearing each other’s burdens;
Challenging each another to keep growing in Christlikeness;
Encouraging each another to actively serve God in some form of ministry;
Making a priority of fellowship in a local church;
Using their home for ministry, especially hospitality;
Discussing sermons, Bible talks and good books;
Talking and praying together about big decisions that have to be made;
When children come along, including them in this spiritual ecosystem of sharing Christ together

The requirements for applying for a marriage license for a proxy marriage are the following:
(Check with your individual state)

I.  One party to the proxy marriage is a resident of the state;

II.  One party to the proxy marriage appears in person to apply for the marriage license and pays the fees required;

III.  The signatures of both parties to the proxy marriage are required, and the party present shall sign the marriage license application

(2), and provide an absentee affidavit form, as  prescribed by the state registrar, containing the notarized signature of the absent party, along with proper identification documents

(1)(a) for the absent party; and

IV.  Both parties to the proxy marriage are eighteen years of age or older

b.  If a party to a marriage is unable to be present at the solemnization, the absent party may authorize in writing a third person to act as the absent party's proxy for purposes of solemnization of the marriage, if the absent party is:

I.  A member of the armed forces of the United States who is stationed in another country or in another state in support of combat or another military operation; or

II.  An individual who is a government contractor, or an employee of a government contractor, working in support of the armed forces of the United States or in support of United States military operations in another country or in another state and who supplies proper identification of that status

c.  If the person solemnizing the marriage is satisfied that the absent party is unable to be present and has consented to the marriage, such person may solemnize the marriage by proxy. If such person is not satisfied, the parties may petition the district court for an order permitting the marriage to be solemnized by proxy

3.  Upon receipt of the marriage certificate, the county clerk and recorder shall register the marriage

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