Marriage License Information by State

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:

  • 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.

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Don't Forget About Estate Planning

Marriage is an ideal time to create or change your estate planning forms. Take the time to add new beneficiaries (including your spouse!) to your will. Consider creating a power of attorney to ensure your spouse can access your financial accounts. Also, a health care directive lets your spouse make your medical decisions if you ever become incapacitated.

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