Legal Question in Family Law in Oregon

Re: Can I remarry my husband of 6 months?

QUESTION:

I just married my husband six months ago. We are happly married. We had a big wedding, but a part of us wanted to marry in Las Vegas a year ago. But because of our religous beliefs and family. We decided to have the traditional wedding. I am glad we did. But I heard somewhere that you can legal marry the same person over again. We are visiting vegas next oct. can we marry legaly. I do not just want to do a vow renew, I want to marry him again. I just want to know if it is legal. Thanks agian.

ANSWER:

Depends on exactly what is/is not allowed under Nevada law, and I not sure what that state's law says on this topic.

However, under the laws of most states, once married, you cannot legally "marry the same person all over again," at least not without first getting a divorce from that person. Reason being: the law does not condone a "legal redundancy." When you got married to spouse the first time, that changed your legal status from being an single, unmarried person to being a married person. In the eyes of the law, that is the fundamental legal result of the marriage ceremony: the change of legal status. Once you are married (and no longer single), getting married "all over again" does not result in any legal change.

In essence, as a legal matter, only persons who are unmarried (single) can legally get married. Right now, you are a married person. And (short of spouse's death) you will remain a married person until/unless you get divorced (thus changing back to an unmarried person). But so long as continue to presently be a married person, you are (under the laws of most states) not legally eligible to get a marriage license to get married again, even though the person to whom you wish to marry is the same person to whom you are presently married.

Better suggestion: Go through a ceremony to renew your wedding vows. Probably more meaningful than trying to play games with the law.

LDG