Planning a wedding is a lot of fun. From choosing the colors to arranging the centerpieces, wedding planning includes plenty of ways to get creative. However, some people get so wrapped up in these details that they forget the most important one—how to get a marriage license. Luckily, obtaining a marriage license is not as hard as it sounds for most people.

Understand the Residency Rules

This one is pretty easy. Most people assume they need to get their marriage license in the state they live in and not where they’re getting married, but it’s actually the other way around. You must obtain your marriage license from the state¾and specifically, from the county¾in which you plan to have your ceremony. If you are getting married near your home, you can add obtaining your marriage license to your everyday errand list. If you’re getting married out of state, plan accordingly for the extra time to get the license before your ceremony. Don’t forget to factor in waiting periods.

Know if There Is a Waiting Period

In most states, there is no waiting period between the time you apply for your license and the time you get it. However, there are a few exceptions. Several states require waiting periods of between 24 hours and one week. If you are getting married in any of the following states, be sure to account for the waiting period.

• Alaska
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Washington
• Wisconsin

Bring the Right Documents With You

As with any legal application process, you and your partner must be sure to bring the proper information with you. Each state is slightly different, so be sure to check your state’s laws, but most of them have some variation of the same requirements. Typically, you need to bring a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship as well as photo identification.

If you are under 18, you must bring proof of parental consent and you may also need proof of consent from the court. If you have been married before, you must bring proof of divorce, or if you are a widow or widower, bring a death certificate.

In addition to the proper identification, bring enough money to cover the cost of the license. Prices vary by state and even county but typically range between $35 and $90. Keep in mind that your clerk of courts may only accept cash. Bring some with you in case your card won’t be accepted.

Use the License in Time

Just like your driver’s license, your marriage license expires. For this reason, it is important not to get it too far in advance of the wedding. In most states, your license is good for 30 days. Some states give you 60 or 90 days to use it. Most experts believe you should get the license one or two weeks before the wedding, which gives you enough time to fix any potential problems but doesn’t give you lots of time to lose it.

Get Married by a Legally Recognized Officiant

In order for your marriage to be valid, your officiant must be recognized by the state in which you’re getting married. If you want a friend or family member to perform the ceremony, he or she must take the proper steps to become a certified officiant before the ceremony. After the ceremony, the couple, the officiant and the witnesses sign the license, making the marriage official.

Once you understand the process and know of any specific laws pertaining to your state or county, getting a marriage license is a piece of wedding cake. Just don’t forget to take the signed license back to the clerk of courts afterward so it can be filed.