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Marriage License Guide

You've got everything you need for the perfect wedding, but it feel like there's something missing? Don't forget that essential piece of paper.

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marriage license guide Getting married is a legal act, and you'll require a marriage license to make your union official. License requirements vary by state, and sometimes by county within a state, so be sure to call the marriage license bureau in the county where your wedding will be held to verify the details. Most licenses expire after a certain period and some states have a waiting period of one to several days, so make sure you plan ahead!

Marriage license bureaus generally require you to pay in cash, and in most places both bride and groom must apply together, in person. You'll need specific identification - in many states a photo ID (like a driver's license) and Social Security card will suffice, but other places may require a certified birth certificate. (Also bring your divorce decree if you're divorced, or a death certificate if you're widowed.) The majority of states have dropped the blood test requirement, but some do retain it or another medical requirement, as listed below.

Once you have your marriage license, don't lose it! You'll give it to your officiant before the ceremony, where you two and the officiant (and in some states your witnesses) will sign it. Then he or she will mail it in to the license bureau and generally you'll get a certified marriage certificate by mail after a few weeks. Hold on to that in case you need to show proof of marriage in the future. Getting your license may not be the most romantic part of planning your wedding, but it is an essential one.

License Application Questions

Most marriage license bureaus have informational recordings to tell you everything you need to know, but make sure you get answers to the following questions before you head to the courthouse:

Do we need an appointment or can we walk in to the license bureau?
Exactly what identification do we need? (e.g., Birth certificate, driver's license, Social Security card, other)
What is the fee and must we pay cash?
Do we both need to apply in person?
How long is the license valid?
Is there a waiting period?
Is there a residency requirement (if your wedding will be held in a county you don't live in)?
Do we need blood tests or other medical certification?

General requirements by state

Where possible, we've included a link to the state's informational site, but many states don't yet post their marriage license requirements online. All of this information is subject to change so please do call your local marriage license bureau to confirm the facts - and please let us know if you spot any outdated information.

Note that many states will let a bride or groom below the stated minimum age marry with parental and/or court consent; call your local marriage bureau for specifics.

AL | AK | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | DC | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY

Alabama

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $30
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Alaska

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $25
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 90 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Arizona

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $72
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 1 Year
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://az.gov/webapp/portal/displaycontent.jsp?id=1684 (for contact information by county)

Arkansas

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $35.50
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

California

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $65 (may vary by location)
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://www.dhs.ca.gov/chs/OVR/Marriage/GeneralInfo.htm

Colorado

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $20
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://www.co.arapahoe.co.us/departments/cr/recording/marlicreq.asp

Connecticut

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $30
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 65 Days
Blood Test: Required; test is valid for 35 days
Residency: Not Required

Delaware

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $30
Waiting Period: 1 day if the bride and/or groom is a state resident, or 4 days if both
bride and groom are from out of state
Valid For: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

District of Columbia

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $35
Waiting Period: 5 Days
Valid For: No Expiration
Blood Test: Required; test is valid for 30 days
Residency: Not Required

Florida

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $88.50; reduced to $56 if the bride and groom attend a four-hour marriage course
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=30

Georgia

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $34
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: None
Blood Test: Required; test is valid for 30 days
Residency: Not Required

Hawaii

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $50
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/vital-records/marriage/index.html

Idaho

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $28
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 1 Year
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Illinois

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $15
Waiting Period: 1 Day
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/countylisting.htm (for contact information by county)

Indiana

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $18-$20
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Iowa

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $30
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 6 Months
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Kansas

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $50
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 6 Months
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Kentucky

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $34.50
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://chfs.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/584F6C35-F594-4275-95CB-0BC730B1C752/0/MarriageRegs.pdf (for contact information by county)

Louisiana

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $25
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Maine

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $20
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 90 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Maryland

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $55
Waiting Period: 2 Days
Valid For: 6 Months
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Massachusetts

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $4 to $15
Waiting Period: 3 days
Valid For: 60 days
Blood Test: Required; test is valid for 30 days
Residency: Not Required
More Information:
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=mg2terminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=State+Government&L2=Local+
Government&sid=massgov2&b=terminalcontent&f=cc_landing&csid=massgov2

Michigan

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $20
Waiting Period: 3 Day
Valid For: 30 Days
Blood Test: Required
Residency: Not Required

Minnesota

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $70
Waiting Period: 5 Days
Valid For: 6 Months
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/osr/registrars.html#Countylisting (for contact information by county)

Mississippi

Minimum Age: 21
Cost: $21
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 3 Months
Blood Test: Required
Residency: Not Required

Missouri

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $50
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Montana

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $30
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 6 Months
Blood Test: Required
Residency: Not Required

Nebraska

Minimum Age: 19
Cost: $15
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 1 Year
Blood Test: Required for Bride
Residency: Not Required
More Information: www.nlc.state.ne.us:80/nsf/Faq/marriagelicense.html

Nevada

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $35
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: No Expiration
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://www.co.clark.nv.us/clerk/marriage_information.htm

New Hampshire

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $45
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 90 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

New Jersey

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $28
Waiting Period: 72 hours
Valid For: 30 days
Blood Test: No
Residency: Not required, but if the bride is a New Jersey resident, the couple must apply in her home town. If the bride is not a resident but the groom is, apply in his home town. If neither are New Jersey residents, apply in the town where the ceremony will take place.
More Information: http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/marriage_apply.shtml

New Mexico

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $25
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: No Expiration
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

New York

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $25
Waiting Period: 2 Days
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records/married.htm

North Carolina

Minimum Age: None
Cost: $40
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://www.aoc.state.nc.us/magistrate/license.htm (for contact information by county)

North Dakota

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $35
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://www.co.morton.nd.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={8924ACE3-3334-4902-95A7-7BCCD78F5FF9}&DE= (for contact information by county)

Ohio

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $45
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 60 Days
Identification: Identification/Social Security Card
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: www.ohiohistory.org/resource/archlib/cthouse.html (for contact information by county)

Oklahoma

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $25
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 10 Days
Blood Test: Required
Residency: Not Required

Oregon

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $60
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://www.oregon.com/living/weddings/marriage_licenses.cfm (for contact information by county)

Pennsylvania

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $30
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Rhode Island

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $24
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 3 Months
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

South Carolina

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: Varies, cash only
Waiting Period: 24 hour wait
Valid For: None
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

South Dakota

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $40
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 20 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://doh.sd.gov/VitalRecords/marriage.aspx

Tennessee

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $31
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Texas

Minimum Age: None
Cost: $37
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

Utah

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $50
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://utahmarriage.org/index.cfm?id=owiglL0svj

Vermont

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $20
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://healthvermont.gov/research/records/documents/marry_update071107.pdf

Virginia

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $30
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: www.vipnet.org/vipnet/clerks/ (for contact information by county)

Washington

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $52
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
More Information: http://access.wa.gov/living/resources/marriage.aspx (for contact information by county)

West Virginia

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $23
Waiting Period: 3 Days
Valid For: 60 Days
Blood Test: Blood work and RPR test required
Residency: Not Required

Wisconsin

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $65
Waiting Period: 5 Days
Valid For: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Required

Wyoming

Minimum Age: 18
Cost: $25
Waiting Period: None
Valid For: None
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required

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