Tip: Can you believe this? New Castle County, Delaware, is the first county anywhere to offer marriage license gift certificates.  What a great idea!

Until now, the only option was for a couple to appear in person (with photo ID) to buy the license, which is good for 30 days. That's pretty much the way it works in most places with fees and dates of validity varying from county to county.

With the gift certificate, anyone can pay New Castle County's $30 fee and get an engraved certificate good for the purchase of a license. Later, the couple must appear in person to redeem the certificate.

The certificate's valid for a full year, and you don't have to live in Delaware to marry there.

The hitch, so to speak, is that if the couple opts not to go ahead with the wedding, there's no refund. Then again, there's no refund on marriage licenses purchased the usual route.

So start asking in your state—who knows, it can happen anywhere.

Stay Organized and, of course, have fun.

Fondly,
Marlene

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