State laws set the requirements for your marriage license. The basic requirements vary from state to state. Your county may have its own requirements for issuing a marriage license as well. All states have laws about:
- Minimum age: Many states will not allow minors to marry; others require parental consent for minors under 18 years of age.
- Consent: All parties must consent to the marriage.
- Capacity: All parties must be mentally able to understand they are getting married.
Below you will find state-by-state links to marriage license requirements and related information. Not all states have marriage license information available on the state government website. The article lists a county clerk's office if a state office is unavailable. You should check the court clerk's office in your county or city for accurate information.
What You Will Need
Each state and county want you to present documents during the application process. These differ by state and county, but each state will likely want to see your:
- Driver's license or other photo ID
- Birth certificate or proof of age
- Social security number
- Divorce decree if either party was previously married
- Passport or green card for non-residents
Many states need both parties to appear in person for the application and marriage ceremony. You must pay a marriage license fee at the time of application. There may be a waiting period of up to a week between the license issuance and the date the parties can marry. Parties can waive the waiting period by court order.
This list provides contact information for each state or a sample county. Your county clerk's office is the best resource for marriage information.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Other FAQ
Q: How Do I Get a Copy of My Marriage Certificate?
If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, you can contact the county or city clerk's office or the state vital records department. Each state listed has a link to that office. You may have to pay a fee for the clerk to reissue your marriage certificate.
Q: Who Can Perform My Wedding Ceremony?
Some states allow anyone to perform the wedding ceremony or "solemnization" of the marriage. The important part is filing the marriage certificate with the appropriate department afterward. Other states want the circuit court judge or a justice of the peace to perform the ceremony.
Q: Do We Have To Change Our Names?
A name change is no longer required, but some couples still want to. You may also want to hyphenate your last names or make other changes. You can change your name on the marriage license application or ask the clerk.
Q: Do We Need a Blood Test?
All states have abandoned blood tests for sexually transmitted diseases. New York tests applicants for sickle-cell anemia only.
Need More Marriage License Information? Get Legal Help Today
There are other legal considerations to getting married. Marriage affects property, tax, and other rights. Speaking with a qualified attorney can help identify potential issues before they impact your marriage. Get started today by finding a family law attorney in your state.