When to get married, and how long does the 'paperwork' take?

[Livia]

My fiancé is graduating A school this week, and he starts his C school two weeks later. We'd love to get married before he gets his orders, which he thinks will happen around week 4
of C school. We're trying to figure out if we have time to make this happen, or if we should just wait a bit. Does anyone have an idea of how long our marriage would take to be processed, or how soon I would be added to his page 2? We are trying to decide between going before the J.P. ASAP, like next week, or waiting for a while and eloping to Vegas. At this point, I'm thinking that if we have time for me to be on his orders, then we will get hitched ASAP...but if we've already run out of time, then we will just wait for Vegas. If anyone has any advice for me, I'd greatly appreciate it!

[meagan5220]

Honestly, it depends. This is how it goes a lot with the military. If the sailors if really on top of things and no one messes up then it can go really quickly. My husband and I got married the 14th of March and I am pretty sure by the april 15th paycheck we got back pay for BAH and stuff. That was with him getting the page 2 paperwork sent back three times before he finally had to go in and explain my name was indeed spelled with an extra "a." They kept sending it back because they thought he spelled my name wrong! lol but I have heard horror stories. I would suggest going for it and trying to get on the orders if money is a concern for you. Either way you guys can still go to Vegas and do a ceremony even if you get married at the JoP beforehand. Is he staying in GL for C school? If so start researching and preparing! If you are more prepared it will go faster. Have him ask on his end what he for sure needs to get you added on his page 2! I have heard they need a lot of stuff my sailor just needed my info didnt need any paperwork but I have heard some guys do. Orders can also be delayed so its always worth a shot to try and get on them!

[Anti M]

If getting on his orders are a priority, sooner is better than later.   Not just for financial reasons, but because the Navy loves to send the single guys overseas.  If his C school is in Great Lakes, he should submit the special request chit to marry TODAY.  He can get it approved fairly quickly, especially if he stays on top of it.  

Vegas isn't going anywhere if you change your mind and decide to wait.  Might as well open the Glakes option.  Even if it is "too late", go for it.  Getting on the page two can be done the working day after you marry, and then he must make sure the detailer (who issues the orders) knows he is now married.

You can ask on FB what form he MUST fill out so his detailer knows he is married when the orders are cut.  You might get a concrete answer, if you do, post it here so others in your situation can know too.

https://www.facebook.com/NavyPersonnelCommand

[Livia]

Thanks for your helpful answers! His C school is in San Antonio, as was his A school. It sounds like if we get the ball rolling now, we may get everything sorted in time for me to be on his orders? I didn't realize that he needed a chit to get married. I asked him about that a while back, and he said that wasn't necessary. Is he completely wrong?

[Anti M]

Yes and no.  The chit is standard procedure in most A schools.  If his school says he doesn't need it, he doesn't.   Sorry I thought he was in Great Lakes... they're sticklers for procedure.  He should check with his COC (chain if command) in case, but he should be alright.  The chits are more of a formality, making sure the marriage isn't fraudulent, on a whim, or would jeopardize a high security clearance.  Place like P-cola and Glakes require counseling or a class.  So if hr's been told "no chit required", he's good.

[meagan5220]

lol I thought he was in GL too for some reason lol!! I would say have him ask his Chief!! My husband got told no chit was needed by 5-6 different instructors and LPO's 5 days before I was gonna head down to get married his Chief found out about it and called him in. He got reamed for not filling out the paperwork, and then got told if we didnt get married in 3 days he would make it impossible for him to leave to get married. Since I was working two jobs and had two midterms that day it wasnt happening. He told him that if he could convince an LPO to let him sneak out early with me as his liberty buddy he could do it. One LPO felt bad because he didnt know he said so he pretty much told them to let him leave to meet me in the parking lot. I pulled into Pcola at my hotel at 245, got the phone call at 315ish and had to go get him and be at the courthouse by 4 that day to get married! We literally walked into the courthouse at 4 oclock on the dot. So pretty much have him check with a chief lol!! We almost didnt get married because of it. I think if you get going now and yall have everything ready then he should be able to get you on his orders. :) Have him get everything he needs on his end for page two and everything in advance that way its smoother sailing!