Author: Jack

What is an Apostille and Why Do You Need One?

An apostille is an international certification that makes documents legal and valid for use in foreign countries. Think of it as a “super notarization” recognized by all countries that signed the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961.

The apostille is a square-shaped stamp or certificate that validates the authenticity of the document’s origin. It confirms that the person who signed the document held the proper authority to do so.

Common documents requiring apostilles include:
– Birth, death, and marriage certificates
– Academic diplomas and transcripts
– Corporate documents
– Power of attorney forms
– Court documents

To obtain an apostille in most countries, you’ll need:
1. The original document or certified copy
2. Proper notarization (if required)
3. Submission to your country’s designated apostille authority

The process typically takes 2-7 business days and costs vary by country and document type. Not all countries accept apostilles – only those party to the Hague Convention. For non-member countries, different authentication procedures apply.

Remember: documents must be issued in the same country where you’re requesting the apostille. A US birth certificate must get a US Apostille, not a French one, even if it’s being used in France.

To obtain an Apostille in South Carolina for a South Carlina document, contact the Secretary of State.

Many brides wish to change their last name after getting married. We have a blog post about changing your name after getting married here. The first step is to change the name on your social security number, but many people do not know where the Social Security offices are located. Here is a list of the cities where there is a SS office in SC.

One suggestion. If you are close to Columbia, but have the time, visit a different office. The SS office in Columbia is the worst! Here is a recent opinion letter about how bad the Columbia office can be.

Social Security Offices in SC

Columbia
Sumter
Orangeburg
Rock Hill
Florence
Aiken
Clinton
Greenwood
Greenville
Spartanburg
Bennetsville
Charleston
Beaufort
Myrtle Beach
Anderson
Walterboro
Georgetwon

Have performed large weddings here but didn’t realize they allowed small weddings for no fee. Gardens are open to the public 10 a.m. –  4 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday | 1 – 4 p.m. Sunday. Sometimes the gardens are closed for special events so you need to call and confirm for your wedding day.  Call +18032527742 I performed a small elopement here today and it was very nice. Beautiful arches and two gazebos for bad weather.

Many couples are now choosing to include an Anniversary Box in their wedding ceremony.

The box can be opened on a chosen anniversary date, or upon some other event. Some couples choose to open it on the occasion of their first fight!

Each couple writes a letter about the other to include in the box, including such thoughts as to why they chose to marry this person, remembrances of their first date, how they met, etc. In addition to the letters, you can also include wine, or champagne, or some other significant item.

Here is a sample script to include in the wedding ceremony;

Anniversary Box Ceremony

_____ and _____ have chosen as a couple to perform a Anniversary Box ceremony.

This box contains a love letter from each to the other. The letters describe the good qualities they find in one another, the reasons they fell in love, and their reasons for choosing to marry. The letters are sealed in individual envelopes and they have not seen what the other has written. You have created your very own “romantic” time capsule to be opened on your ____ wedding anniversary.

I recommend that you keep the box in a place of honor prominently displayed in your home as a constant reminder of your commitment to each other.

_____ and _____ should you ever find your marriage enduring insurmountable hardships, you are to as a couple, open this box, then separate and read the letters you wrote to one another when you were united as a couple in marriage. By reading these love letters you will reflect upon the reasons you fell in love and chose to marry each other here today.

The hope is, however, that you will never have a reason to open this box. And if this is the case, you are to open this box to share and enjoy on your 5th year wedding anniversary!

_____ and _____, you may now seal the box

What is a vow renewal? Vow renewals are ceremonies where a couple renews the vows they made to each other when they were first married. Many couples like to hold vow renewal ceremonies on a particular anniversary, like a 10th, 20th, or 50th wedding anniversary, but there is no requirement that take place on a particular date. It is entirely up to the couple.

You can hold a vow renewal ceremony for many different reasons. Because of the Covid 19 pandemic many couples today are having to postpone their planned for big wedding. A vow renewal ceremony at a later date when the pandemic is over would be a perfect way to celebrate ones marriage.

Remember that a vow renewal ceremony is not a legal ceremony. It is symbolic. You are already legally married. Because of that, there are nor requirements that you have a legally appointed wedding officiant present. However, if you are not already legally married (with a valid, recorded marriage license) then a vow renewal ceremony does not make you legally married.

Look here for some sample vow renewal ceremonies, numbers 11 and 12.

Weddings are ceremonies that have a lot of tradition incorporated into them. Many couples choose to use as part of their wedding ceremony something that is peculiar to their culture. One such example of a cultural ceremony is the “Wedding Lasso Rosary”, popular in the Spanish and Hispanic communities. If you’re looking for a unique ritual to incorporate into your upcoming wedding ceremony, the Unity lasso ceremony may just be what you’ve been searching for.

 

 

 

 

Sample Lasso Ceremony

_________ and _________ have chosen to incorporate the Lasso ritual into their wedding ceremony today. The Lasso is a wedding ritual in which the couple are bound together with a ceremonial rosary. Lassoing is a declaration of intent, where the bride and groom clearly state that they are marrying of their own free will.

_________ and _________ since your lives have crossed in this life, you have formed eternal and sacred bonds. As you enter this state of matrimony you should strive to make real the ideals that to you, give meaning to this ceremony and to the institution of marriage.

With full awareness, know that within this Lasso you are not only declaring your intent to be bound together before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to God.

The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union and will cross the years and lives of each soul’s growth.

_________ and _________, I ask you to hold hands and look into each others eyes.

Will you honor and respect one another, and seek to never break that honor?

Will you share each other’s pain and seek to ease it?

Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?

Will you share each other’s laughter, and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?

Bride & Groom: We will.

(Officiant drapes the Lasso in the form of an “8” around the shoulders of the Bride and Groom.)

_________ and _________ , as you are bound together now, so too your lives and spirits are joined in a union of everlasting love and trust. Above you are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow.

(Officiant offers a prayer, removes the Lasso before the Bride and Groom rise, then presents the Lasso to the Groom who will later give it to the Bride.)