Marriage License Requirements
In order to be legally married in the United States, each U.S. state requires couples to obtain a marriage license. However, just obtaining your license is not enough. After the wedding ceremony, the bride, groom and Officiant sign the marriage license. Some states also require witnesses to sign the license, usually the best man and the maid/matron of honor. The Officiant then files for a certified copy of the marriage license and a marriage certificate. It is also recommended to order, for an extra fee, extra copies of the marriage license.
Where do you go to obtain a marriage license? Go to your local city/county clerk's office.in which you plan to marry. It's always a good idea to call ahead of time to find out the exact requirements.
Below you will find a state by state marriage license requirements chart. These are standard requirements and they may vary from county to county within each state. We are not responsible for incorrect information. For exact information about obtaining your State Marriage License, please contact your local city/county clerk's office to ask details about specific requirements month's before your wedding. Don't wait until the last minute! In addition, remember most states require payment in cash.
| State |
Blood tests required |
Waiting Period between applying for and receiving license
|
How soon you can marry after receiving license |
When license expires |
License Fee (may vary within each State's county) |
| Alabama |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
30 Days
|
$25.00
|
| Alaska |
No
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
3 Months
|
$25.00
|
| Arizona |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
1 Year
|
$50.00
|
| Arkansas |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
No provision
|
$35.00
|
| California |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
90 Days
|
$50.00-$80.00
|
| Colorado |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
30 Days
|
$20.00
|
| Connecticut |
Yes
|
None
|
Immediately
|
65 Days
|
$30.00
|
| Delaware |
No
|
None
|
24 Hours; 96 Hours if both spouses are nonresidents
|
30 Days
|
$30.00
|
| Dist. of Columbia |
Yes
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
No provisions
|
$35.00
|
| Florida |
No
|
3 days unless couple attends marriage preparation class
|
Immediately
|
60 Days
|
$88.50; $56.00 if couple takes preparation class
|
| Georgia |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
No provisions
|
$30.00
|
| Hawaii |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
30 Days
|
$50.00
|
| Idaho |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
No provisions
|
$28.00
|
| Ilinois |
No
|
None
|
1 Day
|
60 Days
|
$15.00-$30.00
|
| Indiana |
Yes
|
None
|
Immediately
|
60 Days
|
$18.00
|
| Iowa |
No
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
No provisions
|
$30.00
|
| Kansas |
No
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
6 Months
|
$50.00
|
| Kentucky |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
30 Days
|
$34.00
|
| Louisiana |
No
|
None
|
3 Days
|
30 Days
|
$25.00
|
| Maine |
No
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
90 Days
|
$20.00
|
| Maryland |
No
|
None
|
2 Days
|
6 Months
|
$35.00
|
| Massachusetts |
No
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
60 Days
|
$40.00
|
| Michigan |
No
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
33 Days
|
$20.00
|
| Minnesota |
No
|
5 Days
|
Immediately
|
6 Months
|
$70.00
|
| Mississippi |
Yes
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
No provisions
|
$20.00
|
| Missouri |
No
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
32 Days
|
$50.00
|
| Montana |
Yes
|
None
|
Immediately
|
180 Days
|
$30.00
|
| Nebraska |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
1 Year
|
$15.00
|
| Nevada |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
1 Year
|
$35.00
|
| New Hampshire |
No
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
90 Days
|
$45.00
|
| New Jersey |
No
|
72 Hours
|
Immediately
|
30 Days
|
$28.00
|
| New Mexico |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
No provisions
|
$25.00
|
| New York |
No
|
None
|
24 Hours
|
60 Days
|
$25.00-$30.00
|
| North Carolina |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
60 Days
|
$40.00
|
| North Dakota |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
60 Days
|
$35.00
|
| Ohio |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
60 Days
|
$30.00
|
| Oklahoma |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
30 Days
|
$25.00
|
| Oregon |
No
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
60 Days
|
$60.00
|
| Pennsylvania |
No
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
60 Days
|
$25.00-$40.00
|
| Rhode Island |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
3 Months
|
$24.00
|
| South Carolina |
No
|
24 Hours
|
Immediately
|
No provisions
|
$25.00
|
| South Dakota |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
20 Days
|
$40.00
|
| Tennessee |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
30 Days
|
$31.00-$39.00
|
| Texas |
No
|
None
|
3 Days
|
31 Days
|
$31.00
|
| Utah |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
30 Days
|
$40.00
|
| Vermont |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
60 Days
|
$20.00
|
| Virginia |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
60 Days
|
$20.00
|
| Washington |
No
|
3 Days
|
Immediately
|
60 Days
|
$51.00
|
| West Virginia |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
60 Days
|
$23.00
|
| Wisconsin |
No
|
5 Days
|
Immediately
|
30 Days
|
$50.00-$80.00
|
| Wyoming |
No
|
None
|
Immediately
|
No provisions
|
$25.00
|
|
|
