The state of Kansas will consider all marriages between relatives closer to blood than second-degree cousins to be incestuous and void. And the U.S. Supreme Court continues to uphold federal decisions allowing same-sex and LGBTQ couples to marry in any state. Although Kansas is located in the middle of the United States, there is something for everyone. But whether a couple wants to marry in suburban Kansas City, on the plains near Dodge, or atop Mount Sunflower, it`s important to comply with Kansas` unique marriage laws and other requirements. It is equally important that public servants understand and comply with all legal obligations. Whether you`re planning to marry the love of your life in Sunflower State or perform a wedding there, this in-depth guide should give you a working knowledge of the rules of marriage in Kansas. One point of confusion that Kansas residents who marry outside the country may very well stumble upon is when their foreign marriage certificate is not written in English and one of the spouses tries to use it in an official capacity. This means that parents cannot marry their children, grandparents cannot marry their grandchildren, brothers cannot marry their sisters (half-blood or thoroughbreds), and aunts and uncles cannot marry nieces and nephews. To marry in Kansas, each member of the couple must be at least 18 years old. However, state law provides an exception for marriage for persons between the ages of 16 and 18. If one of the two members is not yet 18 years old, it is possible to obtain a marriage certificate with the written consent of all parents or legal guardians.

Those who are 15 can marry after a judge decides it is in their best interest. For a marriage to be legally binding in Kansas, the two members of the couple must be no more closely related than second-degree cousins. Of course, Kansas, like every other state, recognizes same-sex marriage. Although there are no official registration requirements in Kansas, you must be an ordained minister to legally perform the marriage. Local Kansas regulations require that marriage officials be ordained under the designation of “minister” by a religious organization such as American Marriage Ministries. While you don`t need to register with a Kansas government office as a marriage official, it`s a good idea to keep personal records of your official ministry credentials. Proof of your ordination is essential if the couple, government officials, or the place of marriage request proof of your ordination. We recommend that you order your Kansas Minister`s Ordination Package to receive your official identification cards. Your kit contains your official certificate of ordination and your letter of good reputy.

His reputable letter is signed, dated and notarized by a church official. Your ministerial ordination package also includes your AMM Ministerial Manual, a valuable resource for information on formal training. A portion of the proceeds of your order will go to our charitable activities. So not only do you get your AMM service rights, but you also support a good cause. Kansas law requires that all marriage licenses include the names of the county, each member of the couple, and the scribe or judge who issued them. It must also have the date of issue. In addition, without a court order, no marriage certificate should be issued less than three calendar days after the application is filed. Once the couple has received a marriage certificate that meets all legal requirements, they must marry within six months. If the marriage is to take place later, it is probably necessary to apply for a new marriage certificate. Fortunately, regardless of the location of the scribe or judge, the marriage certificate is valid for ceremonies anywhere in Sunflower State.

The ceremonial leaders have 10 days after the end of the ceremony to return the completed license to the exhibitor. The minimum age to marry in Kansas without involving parents or judges is 18; If you are this age or older, you can marry without any other disability, as long as you show sufficient identification to verify your date of birth. Kansas is one of the few states to recognize marriage at common law. This means that you can legally get married even without the traditional ceremony or marriage certificate. As long as you and your partner are both interested in being married to each other, living together, and acting publicly as if you were married (wearing wedding rings or referring to each other as your spouse), you can be legally married in Kansas. Unfortunately, common-law marriage doesn`t extend to most other states, so if you move, your marriage won`t be legal. Common-law marriages — an agreement between two parties to marry without a certificate or marriage ceremony — are also recognized in Kansas if the couple considers themselves spouses. (a) The registrars of the district courts or their judges issue, at the request of a person who is one of the parties to the proposed marriage and who is legally entitled to a marriage certificate, a marriage certificate essentially as follows: MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE (Name of place of office, month, day and year.) TO ANY person legally authorized to perform the marriage ceremony, Greeting: You are hereby authorized to marry marriage A B of _____, date of birth ___ and C D of ____, date of birth ___ (and name of the parent or guardian who accepts) and from this license, duly confirmed, you will duly return to this office immediately after performing the ceremony.