It's the freakin' marriage license!
A license is defined in Black's Law Dictionary, Fifth Edition, as follows:
"The permission by competent authority to do an act, which, without such permission, would be illegal, a trespass, or a tort. People v. Henderson, 391 Mich. 612, 218 N.W.2d 2, 4.
This begs the obvious question. Since when did "marriage" become an "illegal act"? Hmmm?
In the 1800's in America, the only persons who needed a marriage license were those people of differing races, who wanted to marry. Why? Because back then it was illegal for a white to marry a black (and vice-versa). Hence, they needed "special permission" from the State to perform an "illegal act".
Today, everyone blindly trots off to get a "marriage license" because, well, that's what you do, right?
When you obtain a marriage license you are essentially forming a "corporation", with the State acting in the role of "third party interest" with an "equitable nexus".
What are the "profits" from such a pseudo corporation? Children for one thing. Real property for another.
And that is why you cannot dissolve your marriage without the State's involvement, assuming there is a marriage license in effect.
And what about "separation of church and state"?
The act of marriage is a religious ceremony!
"By the power vested in me by the State of California, I hereby declare you husband and wife." What???
Imagine this. A Baptism license. Imagine Joe Sixpack saying; "Now, uh, let me get this straight. You're saying I got to get me a license to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour?"
Did your great-great grandparents have a marriage license? No they did not. Did the world come crashing down? No.
George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759. Do you suppose George Washington, the First President of the United States of America, trotted down to his local governmental "authority" and obtained a marriage license? Hell no, he did not.
So why do Americans get marriage licenses? Because they are dumbed down and ignorant, and that's by design.
A most excellent observation.