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U.S. Military Question of the Week

Getting Married

By Rod Powers, About.com

Each week my staff and I answer over a hundred questions either via e-mail or in our message forum. I thought it would be interesting to choose one question per week that I think would be the most interesting to our readers. Selected questions will be featured in our *FREE* weekly newsletter and included on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

This week: (Jul 9, 2005):

Jason asks, "Do I need to get permission to get married if I'm in the Military?"

Unless you are getting married overseas, you do not need to get anyone's permission to get married while in the military. In order to obtain an ID card and military benefits for your spouse and in order to start your housing allowance at the "with dependent" rate, you will need to present a certified copy of your marriage certificate, issued in accordance with the laws of the state you are married in.

In overseas commands, local commands generally set up procedures and forms that must be completed (which includes "permission" from your commanding officer) in order to ensure the marriage will be recognized by the laws of the United States. You can check with your local chaplain or personnel office for more information.

For more information, see Military Weddings and Honeymoons, and Getting Married -- Before or After Military Boot Camp?

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