Legal Lessons From Beyonce's Marital Moves

Are April wedding showers in short order, or did we just fall for an April Fools' Day prank?

That is the question their fans are asking after Sean Carter, aka Jay-Z, and Beyonce Knowles applied for a marriage license on April 1 in Scarsdale, N.Y. The application, first reported by People.com (TWX), could mean their six year courtship will finally culminate in a wedding ring exchange soon.

While their license may have been issued on a prankster’s favorite day, the process is no joke. In order to get legally married in any state, getting a marriage license is the required first step. The document's statue of limitations, which varies by state and sometimes even by county, also determines when nuptials can take place. In Las Vegas, for instance, you can get a license and have an official marry you in one happy swoop. However, in New York, applicants must wait at least 24 hours before engaging in a ceremony.

At the same time, a marriage license can expire, and couples who do not get married in the time allotted by the state must then reapply. Again in New York, a marriage license expires after 60 days. In Maryland bride-and-grooms-to be have six months to tie the knot. A state or county clerk can provide specific information on the duration of their state's marriage license.

The price of a marriage license also differs state to state. That New York wedding license cost Jay-Z $40. Last year, Illinois raised its fee by $5 to $15. And while many officials accept cash payments, it makes sense to call ahead to confirm what types of payments are accepted. (Some states may charge an additional fee for credit card use, too.)