Do couples need to be in the same place to get married? Two Michigan State professors say 'no'

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) - We all know that the world is a smaller place thanks to computers and the internet.

But, close enough to get married?

There are two law professors at Michigan State University who think so.

They would like nothing better than for states to recognize marriages despite long distances.

Professors Mae Kuykendall and Adam Candeub believe that in this day and age it's time to bring our laws in line with our culture. That is, they need to accommodate our on-the-go technological society.

They call their idea, "modernizing marriage."

They would like to see all 50 states have marriage laws on the books that allow for people who are far apart from each other to get married. They claim that the current laws don't allow for it and they are outdated. The proposed answer might be as simple as using a video link like Skype. After all, it's used in other major business contracts.

States have always recognized marriages performed elsewhere. Proxy marriages have never been a problem. The study, called the E-Marriage Project, has been underway since 2008.

The convenience for those getting married is obvious. For the states. the payback would be that they could set their own requirements and create competition. Couples would be able to choose which legalities they prefer. The states could pocket the fees.

Kuykendall says that states need to update their marriage laws, "Michigan could get publicity and money for being innovative about something other than trying to make a car that somebody will buy."

More information can be found at: http:// papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1491704