Ros said:
This is in reference to the marriage certificate formality. I am currently living in Ohio which does not have common law like Colorado and me and my husband want to make sure everything is legal state to state. Since there is no Official signature or Seal on our Marriage certificate, How do we go about getting it legalized? Would we have to go back to Colorado or could we go into a Ohio Court and have it validated? Any info would be helpful. I am just trying to get some help on where to start. Thanks for your info, its really helpful.
My response:
If you were married in Colorado, either through ceremony or by virtue of Common Law, all States recognize you as being married - - including Ohio. All States recognize each other's marital laws. So, while Ohio is not a Common Law marriage State, Ohio does accept and honor the laws of your Colorado marriage, whether it's through ceremony or by Common Law.
It doesn't matter that your Certificate is unsigned (although it should have been, and the original filed with the county Clerk's office). You don't have to go through any hoops like going back to Colorado - - you're married.
For the sake of your own interest, and to see what happened with the Certificate, you might want to call the Colorado Clerk of Marriages and ask if there is any record of your marriage on file. Not that it really matters.
IAAL
