Spur-of-the-moment wedding

It will probably vary by location. Things like age of consent, procedure, all that.

Gosh, I can't even recall what we needed. I do know we had to go to the courthouse, together, to get our marriage license. I'm sure we had to present some form of ID, and we had to fill out a lot of stuff. I do not recall if they gave us the paper right then and there or if they mailed it to my husband.

At our wedding, we, the pastors, and the witnesses had to sign the paper and mail it back to the courthouse to get our marriage officially recorded.

I am sure they'd need an appointment with anyone except maybe a quicky place in Las Vegas.

In Wisconsin, I needed a birth certificate when I was 28. This was true for anyone who was getting married for the first time and was under 30. Doesn't mean they can't forge something-- the people at city hall just glanced at it and so quickly it could have been done in crayon for how much they paid attention to it (esp. since I was born in California, so the certificate doesn't look like one of theirs).

Okay, thanks. ^.^

Don't know how much of a difference this would make...the story's set in Alberta, Canada, and yeah, they might have to forge something, since there's no way the girl's parents would agree to this.

Any other comments, anyone?

I have a similar problem (underage girl) and I can tell you that, sadly for my story at least, unless she's pregnant, or her parents OK it, neither Canada nor the US is going to let her get married until she's 18. So yeah, she'd have to forge a birth certificate. Or I suppose she could forge some kind of parental consent thing, but I'd imagine someone would call the parents or have them be actually present...

Hi. Depends on where they get married. And what year, if you are doing historical context. Let's say it's a place that requires minimum age 18, and for under 18 written consent of one parent is required. E.g., California requires permission of a Calif Superior Court Judge in addition to the parent's consent. (That would undoubtedly take extra time as that kind of judge is very busy.) Calif does not require birth cert -- instead, driver's license or other picture ID is required -- you'll need to research at your location in question. The couple needs to bring one witness -- in Calif it can be someone under 18. In Calif, they would go to county courthouse during posted business hours and no wait time required to be married. Stand in line, get application (pay fee), fill out application, go back to the Clerk's window and turn it in. They could ask upon arrival if the Clerk (or Judge or whoever) is available, & they could be married immediately. Or given an appt later that day -- e.g., after lunch.

In your story, would the character have a false ID so she could appear to be 18? Or would they get someone to pose as parent -- another false ID? (Better check to see if they verify with fingerprints!) Lots of info is available on the web. From the California website (www.ca.gov); search under "Marriage Certificate": QUOTE Blood tests are NOT required to obtain a marriage license in California. Both parties must appear in person and bring valid picture identification to the County Clerk’s Office to apply for a marriage license in California. Valid picture identification is one that contains a photograph, date of birth, and an issue and expiration date, such as a state issued identification card, drivers license, passport, military identification, etc. Some counties may also require a copy of your birth certificate. UNQUOTE
The county where we live in Calif (Marin) allowed us to choose a private person to perform the ceremony -- they call it deputy commissioner of civil marriages for a day (extra fee $25, took an extra day for that person to go to court house for brief training).
Your couple could be married at the courthouse (by commissioner of civil marriages or in some places the County Clerk -- "contact the County Clerk’s Office directly to see if they provide this service"), by a judge/retired judge, minister/rabbi, or many other kinds of officials (see list on website). They could be married by a shaman/medicine man/tribal religious leader. Check with the govt office.

They could be married at sea by the ship's captain -- depends in what country's waters they are sailing and the govt regulations -- and at the captain's discretion. If in international waters, the country in which the ship is registered would be the government whose regulations apply.
Good luck!

Thanks, everyone. :-)

Took your advice, Steffy, and looked it up on the internet. And I think I found what I needed. ^.^ ...Now I just need to figure out who they get to pose as her parent/guardian. :-P

My friend is getting married to a man very quickly and is freaking out because (at least in PA) she has to wait three days for the license to process and he must be present to apply for it.

The coroner will find ink in my veins and blood on my typewriter keys.
~C. Astrid Weber

Vegas doesn't care!!!!

It's not denial. I'm just selective about the reality I accept. - Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbes)

Well, I'm not married but if it's spur of the moment, go to Vegas and do the "I do" drive-through.

At least that's what comes to mind

"We have what no other race has: Imagination."
Fleet in Poison, by Chris Wooding