Have you ever wondered why the state must keep such detailed records of marriage?  I have often wondered of what significance marriage is to the state.  Why do they care?  It seems to be more of a religious arrangement to me, anyway, but I suppose that, in essence, it’s also a legal agreement.  That must give the state the right to regulate the inner dealings of the agreement.  One other reason, I think, that the state keeps these records and regulates this, is that the state is often called upon to mediate when failed marriages end.  If they’re going to be involved, it might as well be on their own terms.