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 months before your wedding. Don’t wait until the last minute! Remember, most states require payment in cash.

State Marriage License Requirements

Alabama

Legal Age With Parental Consent: 16
Legal Age Without Parental Consent: 18
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Witnesses: In Alabama, witnesses are not required
Cost: $70 – $104

Alaska

Minimum age to marry: 18
Waiting Period: 3 Days
License Validity: 90 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Cost: $60

Arizona

Minimum age to marry: 18
Requirement: The couple must appear in person together at one of Arizona’s Justice Court offices
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Requirement: Social security numbers
License Validity: 12 Months
Blood Test: Not Required
Cost: $83.
You can find more information on Tre Bella’s guide to getting married in Arizona.

Arkansas

Requirement: The couple must appear in person together at any Arkansas County Clerk’s offices
Minimum age to marry: 18
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Requirement: The couple must be present and together when the license is issued
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 60 Days
Cost: $60

California

Requirement: The couple may not be already married to each other or other individuals
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Legal Age Without Parental Consent: 18
Waiting Period: None
Blood Test Requirement: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
License Validity: 90 Days
Witnesses: The public marriage license requires the signature of one witness
Who Issues Licenses: California’s County Clerk’s offices are responsible for issuing marriage licenses.
Cost: $35 – $105

Colorado

Legal Age Without Parental Consent: 18
- If age 16 or 17, a written and notarized Parental Consent Form signed by both parents, the parent with legal custody, or the legal guardian is required
Requirement: The couple must appear in person to apply and sign the marriage application
- If one party cannot appear due to illness, is out of the state of Colorado, or incarcerated, then he or she can obtain an absentee application.
Requirement: The couple must show identification for Proof of Age.
Blood Test Requirement: None
Waiting Period: None
Witnesses: None
License Validity: 35 Days
Who Issues Licenses: Colorado’s County Clerk’s offices are responsible for issuing marriage licenses
Cost: $30

Connecticut

Legal Age: 18
Requirement: The couple must appear in person
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Blood Test Requirement: None
License Validity: 65 days
Who Issues Licenses: Connecticut’s Municipal Clerk’s offices are responsible for issuing marriage licenses
Cost: $30

Delaware

Legal Age: 18
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Requirement: If applicants have previously been married, an original or certified copy of the divorce decree, legal annulment, dissolution, or death certificate is required.
Blood Test Requirement: None
Waiting Period: 24 hours
License Validity: 30 days
Who Issues Licenses: The couple must apply for the license in person with a Delaware county clerk office.
Cost: $50 if one applicant is a Delaware resident. It is $100 if neither applicant is a Delaware resident.

District of Columbia (Washington D.C.)

Legal Age: 18 or 16 with the consent of a parent or guardian
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Blood Test Requirement: None
Waiting Period: None
Who Issues Licenses: The District of Columbia the Marriage Bureau issues marriage licenses
Cost: $45

Florida

Legal Age: 16 with parent’s consent, 18 without parental consent
Blood Test Requirement: None
Who Issues Licenses: Any Florida County Clerk’s office in person
License Validity: 60 days
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Requirement: Social security numbers
Waiting Period: 3 days for Florida residents; no waiting period for non-residents.
Cost: $93.50
- Florida residents who have completed a premarital preparation course and can provide completion certificates will be required to pay $61.00 and the 3 day waiting period will be waived.

Georgia

Legal Age: 18 without parental consent.
Requirement: Both applicants must appear in person to complete the application for a marriage license.
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Blood Test Requirement: None
Waiting Period: None
Who Issues Licenses: Any county Probate Court in Georgia, provided at least one of the applicants is a resident of the State of Georgia
- If neither applicant is a resident of the State of Georgia, the couple must apply in the county in which the ceremony is to be performed.
License Validity: None
Cost: $56 without Premarital Education completed. $16 with Premarital Education. A $10 charge for the certified copy of the marriage license, which is mailed to the applicants after recording, and a $10 fee for the certified copy of the license application for the Social Security Administration.

Hawaii

Legal Age: 15 – require the written consent of both parents or legal guardian, and the written approval of a judge of the family court. The parents or legal guardians do not have to be residents of the state. Consent forms may be obtained from a marriage license agent.
Legal Age: 18
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Witnesses: Not required
Who Issues Licenses: The couple must appear together in person before a marriage license agent
License Validity: 30 days
Cost: $65.00

Idaho

Legal Age: 18
Who Issues Licenses: County Clerk/Recorders Offices and must appear in person
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Requirement: Social Security numbers
License Validity: None
Cost: $28

Illinois

Legal Age: 18
Who Issues Licenses: County Clerk’s Office in person
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Requirement: If an applicant was previously married, the date the marriage ended (month, day, year), the County and State the divorce or death is recorded in, and how the marriage ended (death, divorce, etc.)
License Validity: 60 days
Cost: $60

Indiana

Legal Age: 18
Who Issues Licenses: The couple must appear in person at the same time in an Indiana Clerk’s Office where one of you resides, or for non-residents in the Indiana county where the marriage will be conducted.
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
License Validity: 60 days
Cost: $18 if one or both parties are Indiana residents and $60 for out-of-state residents

Iowa

Minimum Age: 16. Persons aged 16 and 17 may only marry with special permission from a judge and require At least one parent or guardian to sign the consent form.
Where to Apply: Couples must appear in person at any Iowa County Registrar or Recorder’s office.
Waiting Period: 3 Days
License Validity: 6 months
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Witnesses: One witness over the age of 18
Cost: $35

Kansas

Legal Age: 18
Where to Apply: At least one of the couple must appear in person at their local Kansas District Court Clerk’s office.
Waiting Period: 3 days
License Validity: 6 months
Cost: $85.50

Kentucky

Legal Age: 18 without parental consent
Where to Apply: The couple must apply in person at any Kentucky County Clerk’s office.
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Blood Test: Not Required
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 30 days
Cost: $35.50

Louisiana

Legal Age: 16
Where to Apply: A Louisiana office of the Clerk of Court in each parish.
Waiting Period: 24 hours
License Validity: 30 days
Blood Test: Not Required
Requirement: The couple does not have to be a resident of Louisiana
Requirement: 2 witnesses are required to sign the marriage license at the time of the ceremony
Cost: $25-35, varying by the parish

Maine

Legal Age: 18
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Blood Test: Not Required
Waiting Period: None
Where to Apply: A Maine Municipal Clerk’s office
Cost: $40

Maryland

Legal Age: 18 without parental consent
Blood Test: Not Required
Waiting Period: 48 hours
License Validity: 6 months
Where to Apply: A Maryland Circuit Court Clerk’s office in the county where the marriage is to take place.
Witnesses: None
Cost: $35 – $85, varying by county

Massachusetts

Legal Age: 18 without parental consent
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Waiting Period: 3 days
Where to Apply: Massachusetts’ City/Town Clerk in any community in the state in person
Cost: $40

Michigan

Legal Age: 18
Requirement: Couples must apply in person
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Where to Apply: Michigan County Clerk office where either applicant resides
Blood Test: Not Required
Waiting Period: 3 days
Witnesses: 2 witnesses (over 18)
License Validity: 33 days
Cost: $20 for residents, $30 for non-residents

Minnesota

Legal Age: 18
Blood Test: Not Required
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Waiting Period: None
Cost: $40.00 with Premarital Education completed, $115.00 without Premarital Education

Mississippi

Legal Age: 21
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Where to Apply: The couple must apply in person at a local county Circuit Clerk’s office
Blood Test: Not Required
Waiting Period: None
Cost: $38

Missouri

Legal Age: 18 without parental consent
Where to Apply: The couple must apply in person before the Recorder or Deputy
Both Parties must be at least 18 years of age to apply without parental consent.
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Blood Test: Not Required
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 30 days
Cost: $51 but varies by county

Montana

Legal Age: 16 with judicial approval
Waiting Period: None
Requirement: Females (under 50) are required to submit to a Rubella blood test
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Where to Apply: The couple must apply in person at the local county clerk of district court office
License Validity: 180 days
Cost: $53

Nebraska

Legal Age: 17
Where to Apply: The couple must appear together in person at your local County Clerk’s office
Waiting Period: None
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: None
Cost: $34

Nevada

Legal Age: 18
Where to Apply: The couple must appear in person before a Clerk at a local county marriage license bureau
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Waiting Period: None
Cost: $60 varies by county
If getting married in Las Vegas, visit the Country Clerk’s website for more information.

New Hampshire

Legal Age: 18
Blood Test: Not Required
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 90 days
Where to Apply: Any New Hampshire City/Town Clerk’s office.
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Requirement: If it is not the first marriage for either, you must present your final or absolute divorce decree/ annulment papers with the seal or death certificate.
Cost: $50

New Jersey

Legal Age: 18
Where to Apply: Couples must apply in person at a local NJ Registrar’s office.
Waiting Period: 3 days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: None
License Validity: 6 months
Cost: $28

New Mexico

Legal Age: 18
- Parental consent if 16 or 17
- Court order if 15 years of age
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Requirement: Both applicants need proof of Social Security number (if an individual has been issued an SSN)
Requirement: When applying, the couple must be present
Blood Test: Not Required
Cost: $25

New York

Legal Age: 18
- 16 and 17 with parental approval
- 14- and 15 if they have permission from a judge in addition to their parents.
Where to Apply: The couple must appear in person at any New York clerk’s office
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Residency: None
Blood Test: Not Required
Waiting Period: 24 hours
License Validity: 60 days
Cost in New York City: $35.
Cost anywhere else in the state of New York: $40

North Carolina

Legal Age: 18
Where to Apply: The couple must appear in person at any local Register of Deed office
License Validity: 60 days
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Requirement: Both applicants need proof of Social Security number (if an individual has been issued an SSN). If no SSN is issued, an Affidavit must be completed.
Waiting Period: None
Cost: $60

North Dakota

Legal Age: 18
- 16-17 a notarized statement of consent by the parents or guardian.
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 60 days
Blood Test: not required
Residency: not required
Witnesses: 2 people to sign the marriage license
Cost: $65

Ohio

Legal Age: 18
- Younger than 18 must first get the consent of his or her parents or guardian and also have proof that he or she has received marriage counseling.
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 60 days
Blood Test: not required
Residency: Ohio non-residents – but are getting married in Ohio, you must obtain your license in the county where the ceremony will take place.
- Ohio residents – you must apply for your marriage license in the county in which one of the couples lives.
Witnesses: None
Cost: $60

Oklahoma

Legal Age: 18
- 16-17 but the applicant must obtain parental consent of either parent or legal guardian, birth certificate.
Waiting Period: None if the couple is 18
- If under age 18: 72 hours
License Validity: 10 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Witnesses: The signature of two witnesses
Cost: $50, $5 if premarital counseling is completed.

Oregon

Legal Age: 18
- 17 with a signed consent form from either parent or a guardian.
Where to Apply: Oregon’s County Clerk’s offices
Waiting Period: 3 Days
License Validity: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Witnesses: 2 witnesses who are at least 18 years
Cost: $60

Pennsylvania

Legal Age: 18
- 15-17 must have both the written approval of a judge of the Orphans’ Court Division of the Common Pleas and written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Requirement: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Waiting Period: 3 Days
License Validity: 60 Days
Where to Apply: The couple must appear in person at the local Pennsylvania Marriage License Bureau of the Register of Wills.
Cost: $50

Rhode Island

Legal Age: 18
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 90 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Witnesses: 2 witnesses 18 years of age
Cost: $24

South Carolina

Legal Age: 16
- Minor applicants must have parental consent and present a certified or original birth certificate.
Waiting Period: 24 hours
- This waiting period varies from county to county.
License Validity: None
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Witnesses: None
Cost: $45.24

South Dakota

Legal Age: 16 with parental consent and birth certificate
Where to Apply: The couple must apply in person at a South Dakota County Register of Deeds office.
Residency: Not Required
Waiting Period: None
Blood Test: Not Required
License Validity: 20 days
Cost: $40

Tennessee

Legal Age: Under the age of 16
- A waiver must be issued from the Juvenile Court.
Legal Age: 16-18
- Both parents must be present to sign the approval affidavit. A birth certificate is required for verification. 3-day waiting period for approvals.
Legal Age: 18-21
- A birth certificate is required for verification.
Legal Age: 21
- Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Requirement: The couple must appear in person to obtain a marriage license.
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 30 days
Requirement: Proof of your Social Security number
Cost: $97.50, $37.50 if the couple completes a Premarital Preparation Course.

Texas

Legal Age: 16
- Applicants under the age of 18 must have a certified copy of their birth certificate issued in the last 10 years as well as court-emancipated.
Where to Apply: A Texas County Clerk’s office.
Waiting Period: 72 hours
- A 30 day waiting period after a divorce is granted
License Validity: 90 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Cost: $71

Utah

Legal Age: 15
- Need consent from a parent or guardian
- The juvenile court must approve the marriage and must conclude that the marriage is voluntary and in the best interests of the minor.
- The juvenile court may require premarital counseling.
- The juvenile court may impose other conditions, such as requiring the minor to continue to attend school.
Legal Age: 16-17
- Need signed consent from a parent or guardian, which must be given in person to the County Clerk/Auditor’s office before a marriage license will be issued.
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 30 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Witnesses: 2 witnesses over 18
Cost: $50

Vermont

Legal Age: 16
- If the applicant is 16-17, they will need the consent of a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian needs to go to the City/Town Clerk’s office to sign an affidavit giving the applicant permission to marry.
License Validity: 60 Days
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Witnesses: None
Cost: $45

Virginia

Legal Age: 16
Where to Apply: The Clerk of the Circuit Court
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Witnesses: None
Cost: $30

Washington

Legal Age: 18
Waiting Period: 3 days
License Validity: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Where to Apply: Any Washington State County Auditor’s office
Witnesses: 2 witnesses at least 12 years of age
Cost: $57-$67 varying by county

West Virginia

Legal Age: 16
- Under 16 must receive consent from a Judge in addition to parental consent.
- 16-17 is a 3-day waiting period and both parents of the underage person must appear with identification to give consent or a single parent must be present with identification and full custody papers.
Waiting Period: None over 18
Where to Apply: A West Virginia County Clerk’s office
License Validity: 60 Days
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: West Virginia residents should apply in the county where one of you has a residence.
- If neither of you resides in West Virginia, you can apply in any county of your choosing.
- Marriage licenses are good throughout the state regardless of the county where issued.
Witnesses: None
Cost: $56, $36 with a premarital certificate of completion

Wisconsin

Legal Age: 18
- 16-17 with the written consent of parents or guardians that’s been notarized
Where to Apply: County Clerk’s office
Residency: Either person must be a WI resident for 30 days prior
Required: Valid government-issued photo I.D.
Required: If divorced, a 6-month grace period after a divorce is final
Blood Test: None
Waiting Period: 6 Days
License Validity: 30 Days
Witnesses: 2 witnesses 18 years of age
Cost: $110

Wyoming

Legal Age: 18
- Applicants who are 16 years old must obtain a court order.
Where to Apply: A Wyoming County Clerk office
Waiting Period: None
License Validity: 1 year
Blood Test: Not Required
Residency: Not Required
Witnesses: 2 witnesses are required at the marriage ceremony.
Cost: $30

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