The Covenant Marriage Act of Oklahoma establishes a new legal framework for couples wishing to enter into a covenant marriage, emphasizing the lifelong commitment of marriage and the importance of premarital counseling. Couples must sign a Declaration of Intent affirming their commitment to the principles of a covenant marriage, which includes a statement about the nature of their commitment and the requirement to seek counseling in case of marital difficulties. The act outlines the necessary steps for obtaining a covenant marriage license, including the submission of the Declaration of Intent and completion of premarital counseling. Additionally, existing marriage licenses can be converted to covenant marriage licenses under certain conditions.
The act also sets forth specific requirements for the dissolution of a covenant marriage, allowing divorce only under certain circumstances such as abandonment, abuse, or adultery, and mandates counseling prior to filing for divorce, except in cases of abuse. Furthermore, the act introduces a tax credit for couples who enter into a covenant marriage, providing $2,500 for those filing jointly and $1,250 for those filing separately, with specific conditions on how the credit can be claimed and carried forward. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes provisions for the State Commissioner of Health to create rules for the administration of covenant marriage licenses.