Is a church marriage considered legal?

Answer 1

The answer depends upon what country the marriage took place in. In the United States, for example, marriages performed in a church are legal providing that the clergyman who performed the marriage and signed the marriage license is a bona fide officiant registered locally to perform marriages.

In Mexico, for example, church marriages are ceremonial only, since the government does not delegate the office of officiant to clergy. In Mexico, a couple signs a document in front of a civil registrar and upon completion of that act they are considered legally married, whether or not they decide to have a religious ceremony afterwards.

In Israel, by contrast, the opposite is true. There is no such thing as a civil marriage and all marriages must be performed by clergy from an approved religious group. Very rarely, if both parties assert that they do not belong to any religion, provide proof that they are not Jewish (this is done by proving that their mothers are not Jewish), and have not previously registered a religion with the government, then they may be able to receive a marriage credential without a religious ceremony.

In some countries, citizens register their religion with the government. In Germany, for example, if you belong to a religion, you can register that fact with the government and they will deduct a "church tax" from your paychecks. That pre-tax money is given directly to the religion to which you belong. You may revoke your choice at any time. But, if you are not registered with a religion, then that religion will not agree to marry you and you must obtain a civil marriage.

Once you have legally married in one country, then all countries will usually recognize your marriage except, for example, countries that do not recognize same-sex marriage.