Marriage

Marriage is the process by which two people make their relationship public, official, and permanent. It is the joining of two people in a bond that punitively lasts until death, but in practice is often cut short by separation or divorce.

Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally recognized union between people, called spouses, that establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws.

The definition of marriage varies around the world, not only between cultures and between religions, but also throughout the history of any given culture and religion. Over time, it has expanded and also constricted in terms of who and what is encompassed. Typically, it is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually sexual, are acknowledged or sanctioned. In some cultures, marriage is recommended or considered to be compulsory before pursuing any sexual activity. When defined broadly, marriage is considered a cultural universal. A marriage ceremony is called a wedding.

The definition of the word marriage or, more accurately, the understanding of what the institution of marriage properly consists of continues to be highly controversial.

This is not an issue to be resolved by dictionaries. Ultimately, the controversy involves cultural traditions, religious beliefs, legal rulings, and ideas about fairness and basic human rights.

The principal point of dispute has to do with marriage between two people of the same sex, often referred to as same-sex marriage or gay marriage. Same-sex marriages are now recognized by law in a growing number of countries and were legally validated throughout the U.S. by the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015.

In many other parts of the world, marriage continues to be allowed only between men and women. The definition of marriage shown here is intentionally broad enough to encompass the different types of marriage that are currently recognized in varying cultures, places, religions, and systems of law.

To have a legal marriage, you must obtain a marriage license from your county clerk and pay the amount accordingly. The license should be granted as long as you and your spouse meet the requirements, although the legal requirements vary from state to state.

Both you and your to-be must obtain a marriage license through any Virginia Circuit Court Clerk; the Virginia location of your nuptials is irrelevant to the licensing. You may also contact a Virginia Visitors Bureau to get more specific information on local sites, services and marriage commissioners.

Age Requirement 18 with certified copy of birth certificate as proof. If under 18, notarized consent from parent or legal guardian.

License Fee $30

License is Valid for 60 days

Identification Valid driver's license, military ID, state ID, passport

Officiates Ordained minister who can show proof of ordination; marriage commissioners, justices of the peace and judges.

The number of U.S. marriage ceremonies peaked in the early 1980s, when almost 2.5 million marriages were recorded each year. Since then, however, the total number of people getting married has fallen steadily. Now only about two million marriages happen a year, a drop of almost half a million from their peak.

While the national length of marriage in the United States is about 8.2 years, New Yorker's actually stick it out longer and average about 12.2 years. The rest of the state fares well, too, with most marriages lasting between 10 and 14 years.

I think everyone I know (or knew) was married. Some are still married. Some are married again. Some are now single, but we’ve all been through it.

Marriage was presented as a rite of passage. After school and your boyfriend/girlfriend (or whatever) association, there comes an age when you must get serious. Part of this is peer pressure because everyone is doing it. Part of this is parental pressure to get you two lovebirds together and out of the house. Part of this is cultural pressure of producing offspring’s.

The reasons for getting married are a varied as the reason two people are attracted to each other. The Hallmark card reason is that the two people are in ‘love’ with each other and can’t stand to be apart and want to spend the rest of their lives with each other. One of the two being pregnant help the decision rather than raise a bastard child.

Marriage can be an expensive extravaganza with flowers and music and dresses and jewelry and services and invitations and parties and gifts. A marriage can also be a quick stop by the justice of the peace, a witness, notary public and a few bucks.

There are legal implications to being married and unforeseen problems that keep the publishers busy with self-help books. Like your taste in clothing or food, things change with time. Marriage may be more about tolerance than habit?

Marriage is a lot of work. Marriage can also be expensive after the ceremony. There are as many married people at the single’s bars, as there are singles. We are constantly on the prowl (whether we admit it or not).

Marriage also takes a lot of communication. Can you be honest when the toilet is backed up and the dog needs to go out and the bacon is burning and the baby is crying? When you are dating, do you really know each other before marriage?

Some marriages are still dating after decades. Some marriages are roommates with perks. Whatever works for you.

I’m not an advocate for or against marriage. I’ve had a couple. I know how the game is played. Today I’m not looking for another marriage, but tomorrow might change.

That is the mystery of marriage.