While Marriage is, on the one hand, the expression of a private bond between two people; it is also an important social and legal institution, and, as such, is governed by a number of laws and requirements. Requirements for a Marriage license vary from state to state and include age requirements, blood tests, mental capacity. Marriage has an impact upon almost every facet of the couple’s life and it imparts a number of legal benefits involving taxes, insurance, employment, etc. Currently, Marriage law is a hotly contested legal area, with same-sex couples seeking equal rights and recognition under the law.