The union between Selena Gomez, the Only Murders in the Building star, and Benny Blanco, Hollywood record producer and songwriter, has been in the works for some time. The couple announced their engagement on social media in December 2024. Now, rumors are circulating that the couple will wed in Southern California in late September.
According to TMZ, Selena and Benny are looking to tie the knot in Santa Barbara County by the end of the month, although no wedding date has been revealed. The National Enquirer reports that "insiders" say Selena does not want her wedding plans to be upstaged, given the recent news that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged.
It happened so fast that some people are wondering how quickly you can get a legally valid marriage.
What Do You Need To Do for a Valid Marriage?
You must do certain things before you say “I do.” First, you must obtain a marriage license. Then, you must hold a ceremony, which can be either civil or religious. Finally, you need two witnesses present at the ceremony who will sign the marriage certificate.
You must be of “sound mind,” meaning competent to marry. Additionally, there are age requirements. You cannot marry if you are under 18 without parental consent.
Where Do You Get a Marriage License?
You must go to your county clerk’s office or local courthouse to apply for a marriage license. Typically, in the application process, you attest that there are no legal impediments to the marriage (such as being currently married). They will also ask for your name, current address, country of birth, date of birth, parents’ names and country of birth, Social Security number, and marital history. If you have been married before, you may need to show proof of dissolution, such as a divorce decree. You will also need an identification document such as a birth certificate, driver’s license, or Social Security card.
Is There a Waiting Period?
In many states, such as California, there is no waiting period between applying for your marriage license and marrying. In those states, you can get your marriage license and have an officiant marry you on the same day.
However, there are some states with a mandatory waiting period:
- Delaware 24 hours
- Florida 3 days for residents (no waiting period for non-residents)
- Illinois 24 hours
- Iowa 72 hours
- Kansas 3 days
- Louisiana 24 hours
- Maryland 48 hours
- Massachusetts 3 days
- Michigan 24 hours
- Minnesota 5 days
- Mississippi 3 days
- Missouri 3 days
- Montana 3 days
- New Jersey 72 hours
- New York 24 hours
- Oregon 72 hours
- Pennsylvania 72 hours
- South Carolina 24 hours
- Texas 72 hours
- Washington 3 days
- Wisconsin Waiting period varies by county
Judges and clerks can waive the waiting period requirement under certain circumstances, such as military deployment or if a couple has completed a premarital education course. Each jurisdiction is different, so check with local county requirements.
What About Blood Tests?
Before 2019, many states required couples to submit to a blood test before receiving a marriage license. Montana was the last state to repeal this rule in 2019.
Many think the blood test requirements were to test for consanguinity, ensuring the couple were not blood relatives. However, the blood testing mandate began in the early 1900s as a response to increasing infectious diseases, primarily syphilis.
In the early part of the 21st century, many states repealed this pre-license requirement as syphilis became rarer and the testing was seen as unduly burdensome and costly.
The Ceremony
A judge or magistrate may officiate a civil ceremony, whereas a member of the clergy, such as a minister or rabbi, acts as the officiant of a religious ceremony. In Florida, a notary public can marry people in a civil ceremony. A friend or family member may apply online for ordination as a minister to be allowed to marry a couple. There is no rule about what religion, denomination, or beliefs you must hold to be eligible as a minister for a wedding. For those states without a mandatory waiting period, a couple can get their license and get married simultaneously.
The Witnesses
In most jurisdictions, two adult witnesses are needed to be present at the ceremony and sign the marriage certificate. However, California and some other states allow a witness to be a minor if they are competent and understand what they are signing. Specific witness requirements can vary by state and county.
Are Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Already Married?
Some states, such as California, offer confidential marriage licenses that do not require witnesses. This type of marriage license keeps the couple’s marriage details private. Only the couple or someone with a court order can access the record. To qualify for a confidential marriage license, the couple must live together as spouses.
Before their engagement, Gomez and Blanco purchased a $30 million home in Los Angeles. It is possible (and merely speculative) that Selena and Benny are already married under a confidential marriage license. If that is the case, Selena Gomez’s imminent wedding may be a celebration for friends and family, rather than a civil or religious marriage ceremony.
Related Resources
- Should Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Have a Prenuptial Agreement? (FindLaw Celebrity Justice)
- Real or Reality Show? What Makes a Marriage Legal? (FindLaw Law and Daily Life)
- Legal Marriage Requirements FAQs (FindLaw Learn About the Law - Family Law)
