Before you take this step, realize that divorce rate among couples where one spouse is incarcerated for one year or more is 85%. Getting married to a prisoner means you will be jumping through a lot of legal hoops and possibly experiencing a lot of heartache.
Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: Varies
Here's How:
- Regulations for marrying a prisoner will vary from prison institution to institution.
- Marriage Packet Request. Have your fiance make an inmate request for a marriage packet. Once the forms are completed by both of you, you will need to send it back to the prison facility with the requested fees. (Approximately $150-$175 via money order)
- Required Documentation. You will need documentation that you are of legal age to marry, that you are a citizen in the country you wish to marry, and perhaps a copy of your birth certificate or other I.D.
- The Family Visiting Coordinator will probably be your contact for arranging the wedding once permission has been received to marry a prisoner.
- Choosing an Officiant. The prison should give you a list of approved pastors to choose from. You will need to know in advance what their fees are and be prepared to pay them at the ceremony with a money order.
- Other Costs. Ask what the cost of the marriage certificate is too, as you will need a money order for that also.
- Witness. You will need a witness, so bring a guest who is on your fiance's approved visitor list. Or you can use one of the inmates who works in the visiting area.
- Time Alone Together. Depending on the prison facility's regulations, you may be allowed time together after the ceremony for wedding pictures and a short, private visit with one another.
Tips:
- The chaplain at the prison will be a good source of information about getting married there.
- If your relationship with a prisoner has been only through snail mail or email correspondence, don't get married!
- Before getting married, talk with others who have married prisoners so you have an understanding of how difficult this role may be for you.
- Realize that upon your spouse's release from prison, the two of you will each have to make major life-changing adjustments.
- Bottom line. We don't recommend marrying someone who is in prison. If your love for one another is real, you can wait.
What You Need:
- Witness
- Money Orders
- Permission from prison
- Proof of age
- Proof of citizenship
