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My partner and I are getting married this upcoming fall in Massachusetts - we chose the location because of the venue and also ease of location for guests...

And we want to be married legally - but we don't live in the state. (our understanding is that one half of the couple has to be a MA resident) Has anyone else been married in massachusetts, without being a resident?

Anyone with experience?

R.

Hi R.

I'm a same-sex wedding planner in Massachusetts, and your are correct. Currently city and town clerks have the authority to enforce a law from 1913 that states that couples cannot marry here if their marriage would not be recognized in another state, unless they express an intention to move to Massachusetts.

Each city and town clerk interprets the word "intention" in their own way and we know of some which are more liberal than others.

Bernadette

And the landscape shifts again...

The MA Supreme Court recently issued another ruling which you can read a bit more about here.

With the exception of a few states, this means that couples from most states can't go to MA to get married unless they plan to move there.

Before you plan an elopement, be sure to consult with your lawyer and sources which outline the legalities of marriage in your home state before investing in a trip!

Is there anyone else out there on the ground who has more insight on this and/or anticipated challenges to this ruling?

Actually, to correct some of the things posted, being from MA, You CAN get married in MA if you live in another state under two circumstances: A) you are planning to move to MA in the near future OR B) if you home state does not expressly prohibit it. Look into your state's legislation. if you are not allowed to get married there will be a specific bill that has PASSED stating that marriage should be between a man and a woman, and/or refusal to acknowledge same sex partnerships.