Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

We just passed ten.  The last thing on my mind was every remarrying, from 1993 to 2010 or so.

I kid her about being my French trophy wife.

I kid her about being my French trophy wife.

Ya and she got a Dog Dawg in return

"Nothing" doesn't exist. Instead, there's "quantum foam" - Big Think
"Nothing" doesn't exist. Instead, there's "quantum foam" - Big Think

There are pretty clear financial advantages and protections in being married instead of being together.  The latter was fine with us in fact, but I felt marriage was financially and legally the better option for various reasons.  I wanted to ensure my wife was protected so far as possible to any untimely events.

There also can be financial downsides depending.

I can't say there was much paperwork involved when I got married.  We had to get a marriage license from the courthouse beforehand, which was quick and easy.  If we filled anything out it was so little that I don't remember it.  The guy who did our wedding signed the license, we signed it as well, I believe a couple of witnesses had to sign also.  5 minutes to go file it at the courthouse later.  

The government can take 3 basic stances toward any action.  1) Endorse  2) Allow  3) Prohibit.  Generally, a good government wants to prohibit only what actively harms society, and endorse whatever actively helps society.  Everything else, they're wise to stay out of and merely allow it (insert argument here about gub'ment increasingly not staying out of things).  The institution of marriage was historically endorsed by governments due to the belief that marriage is a key component in the perpetuation and stabilization of society, different than merely being together.  While there is a plethora of sociological research that gives credence to that, it increasingly is not the view of citizens or the government, though the advantages you mention--or government "endorsements" if you will--still remain.

it's how I feel about most things the government requires

I'd be okay with a license to vote, as long as it was only granted when you pass an intelligence test.  

An intelligence test designed and administered by ME, obviously.

There usually are decent reasons for government "licenses" which often get expanded into just a money grab for no reason.

My guess is the gub'ment can claim they need something filed so they have record of who gets the "advantages" they're offering.  Thus, filing a license. 

My other guess is you are correct, they probably inflate any fees involved beyond what's necessary not to lose money, because if you're going to require a license, you might as well turn it into a money grab.