By Susan Buckner, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Aisha Success, Esq. | Last reviewed July 13, 2023
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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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
All states have abandoned blood tests for sexually transmitted diseases. New York tests applicants for sickle-cell anemia only.
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.
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