<P> There were two kinds of marriage licences that could be issued: the usual was known as a common licence and named one or two parishes where the wedding could take place, within the jurisdiction of the person who issued the licence . The other was the special licence, which could only be granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury or his officials and allowed the marriage to take place in any church . </P> <P> To obtain a marriage licence, the couple, or more usually the bridegroom, had to swear that there was no just cause or impediment why they should not marry . This was the marriage allegation . A bond was also lodged with the church authorities for a sum of money to be paid if it turned out that the marriage was contrary to Canon Law . The bishop kept the allegation and bond and issued the licence to the groom, who then gave it to the vicar of the church where they were to get married . There was no obligation for the vicar to keep the licence and many were simply destroyed . Hence, few historical examples of marriage licences, in England and Wales, survive . However, the allegations and bonds were usually retained and are an important source for English genealogy . </P> <P> Hardwicke's Marriage Act 1753 affirmed this existing ecclesiastical law and built it into statutory law . From this date, a marriage was only legally valid, if it followed the calling of banns in church or the obtaining of a licence--the only exceptions being Jewish and Quaker marriages, whose legality was also recognised . From the date of Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act up to 1837, the ceremony was required to be performed in a consecrated building . </P> <P> Since 1 July 1837, civil marriages have been a legal alternative to church marriages under the Marriage Act 1836, which provided the statutory basis for regulating and recording marriages . So, today, a couple has a choice between being married in the Anglican Church, after the calling of banns or obtaining a licence or else, they can give "Notice of Marriage" to a civil registrar . In this latter case, the notice is publicly posted for 15 days, after which a civil marriage can take place . Marriages may take place in churches other than Anglican churches, but these are governed by civil marriage law and notice must be given to the civil registrar in the same way . The marriage may then take place without a registrar being present if the church itself is registered for marriages and the minister or priest is an Authorised Person for marriages . </P>

When were marriage licenses first issued in the united states