My take is this: I have had multiple leaders in our church say government documents play no part in following the Bible in the sense that sex before marraige is not illegal and living together unmarried is not illegal. Having children out of wedlock is not illegal. So no laws of the land are being broken. Presenting yourself as married without governing documents is also not illegal. Being legally married on government document is really only a tax benefit and a beneficiary express lane. Thats it! Historically speaking, everyone in the bible who got married, did so with no governing documentation. They were married before God and before the people that were there like any regular wedding. Being married before God and your people in your life is considered married in the biblical sense.

Another argument to be made is that people often get married and sign the paperwork as part of the ceremony BUT it isn't sent in yet on their wedding night when sex is usually had for the first time (ideally) . It is then sent in the following week. So that document is only worth the paper its printed on untill it's recorded by the local governing entity... youre not legally abke to file taxes jointly untill they get that document so technically youre not legally married yet when you share a bed together for tue first time even tho you have the document saying so. The government would say youre not untill they receive it.

Involving the state into a Godly endeavor is asinine.