Vital Records & Marriage Bureau Guide
50-State Marriage License Laws & Waiting Periods (2026)
Planning a marriage ceremony in the United States? Requirements vary significantly across jurisdictions. Review official statutory fees, mandatory waiting periods, and expiration deadlines for every US state and the District of Columbia.
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Nationwide Marriage License Statutes & Requirements
Standard requirements for issuing marriage certificates by county clerks, probate judges, and court clerks.
| State | License Fee Range | Mandatory Waiting Period | Validity Duration | State Notes & Specifics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama (AL) | $70 - $90 | None (Immediate) | 30 Days | Alabama uses a marriage certificate notary process instead of marriage licenses since 2019. |
| Alaska (AK) | $60.00 | 72 Hours | 90 Days | Application must be submitted to the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics or local court. |
| Arizona (AZ) | $83.00 | None (Immediate) | 365 Days | No waiting period. Marriage license is valid anywhere in Arizona for 1 full year. |
| Arkansas (AR) | $60.00 | None (Immediate) | 60 Days | Both applicants must appear in person before the County Clerk with photo ID. |
| California (CA) | $85 - $110 | None (Immediate) | 90 Days | Offers both Public and Confidential marriage licenses. No waiting period or blood test. |
| Colorado (CO) | $30.00 | None (Immediate) | 35 Days | Couples can self-solemnize in Colorado; no officiant or witnesses required by law. |
| Connecticut (CT) | $50.00 | None (Immediate) | 65 Days | Marriage licenses must be obtained in the specific town where the wedding ceremony will occur. |
| Delaware (DE) | $70.00 (Residents) / $120.00 (Non-residents) | 24 Hours | 30 Days | Issued by the Clerk of the Peace in New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County. 24h waiting period. |
| District of Columbia (DC) | $45.00 ($35.00 license + $10.00 certified certificate) | None (Immediate) | 365 Days | Self-officiating permitted. Handled by DC Superior Court Moultrie Courthouse Marriage Bureau. |
| Florida (FL) | $86.00 ($61.00 with premarital course completion) | 72 Hours | 60 Days | 3-day waiting period for Florida residents waived if verified 4-hour premarital course is taken. |
| Georgia (GA) | $56 - $76 ($16 - $36 with qualifying premarital education) | None (Immediate) | 180 Days | Obtained from the County Probate Court. No waiting period. |
| Hawaii (HI) | $65.00 | None (Immediate) | 30 Days | Administered statewide by the Hawaii State Department of Health Marriage License Agents. |
| Idaho (ID) | $30.00 (Cash only in many counties) | None (Immediate) | 365 Days | Issued by County Recorder. Valid immediately across Idaho. |
| Illinois (IL) | $35 - $60 | 24 Hours | 60 Days | Mandatory 1-day waiting period. License valid only in the county where issued. |
| Indiana (IN) | $25.00 (Residents) / $65.00 (Non-residents) | None (Immediate) | 60 Days | Applied for through Clerk of Circuit Court. Immediate issuance. |
| Iowa (IA) | $35.00 | 72 Hours | 365 Days | 3-day waiting period from application to ceremony. |
| Kansas (KS) | $85.50 | 72 Hours | 180 Days | Issued by District Court Clerk. 3-day waiting period. |
| Kentucky (KY) | $50.00 | None (Immediate) | 30 Days | Issued by County Clerk. Valid 30 days statewide. |
| Louisiana (LA) | $35.00 | 24 Hours | 30 Days | 24-hour waiting period. Issued by Parish Clerk of Court. |
| Maine (ME) | $40.00 | None (Immediate) | 90 Days | Residents file intentions with their local municipal town/city clerk. |
| Maryland (MD) | $35 - $85 | 48 Hours | 180 Days | Mandatory 48-hour waiting period. Valid only in the issuing county. |
| Massachusetts (MA) | $25 - $50 | 72 Hours | 60 Days | Notice of Intention filed with any municipal City/Town Clerk; 3-day waiting period. |
| Michigan (MI) | $20.00 (Residents) / $30.00 (Non-residents) | 72 Hours | 33 Days | 3-day waiting period can be waived for an additional fee. |
| Minnesota (MN) | $115.00 ($40.00 with 12-hour premarital education) | None (Immediate) | 180 Days | Valid across Minnesota for 6 months. |
| Mississippi (MS) | $21.00 - $36.00 | None (Immediate) | 365 Days | Issued by Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Missouri (MO) | $45 - $60 | None (Immediate) | 30 Days | Issued by County Recorder of Deeds. Immediate issuance. |
| Montana (MT) | $53.00 | None (Immediate) | 180 Days | Issued by District Court Clerk. Montana allows double-proxy marriage for military members. |
| Nebraska (NE) | $25.00 | None (Immediate) | 365 Days | Issued by County Clerk. Valid for 1 year. |
| Nevada (NV) | $102.00 (Clark County / Las Vegas standard) | None (Immediate) | 365 Days | Zero waiting period. Open 8 AM to Midnight every day 365 days a year in Clark County. |
| New Hampshire (NH) | $50.00 | None (Immediate) | 90 Days | Obtained from any municipal Town/City Clerk. Valid statewide. |
| New Jersey (NJ) | $28.00 | 72 Hours | 30 Days | 72-hour waiting period from application to license issuance at municipal registrar. |
| New Mexico (NM) | $25.00 | None (Immediate) | 365 Days | Issued by County Clerk. No waiting period. |
| New York (NY) | $40.00 ($35.00 in NYC City Clerk Marriage Bureau) | 24 Hours | 60 Days | Mandatory 24-hour waiting period before ceremony can take place. |
| North Carolina (NC) | $60.00 | None (Immediate) | 60 Days | Issued by Register of Deeds. Valid 60 days anywhere in NC. |
| North Dakota (ND) | $65.00 | None (Immediate) | 60 Days | Issued by County Finance / Recorder Office. |
| Ohio (OH) | $40 - $70 | None (Immediate) | 60 Days | Issued by County Probate Court. Residents must apply in their county of residence. |
| Oklahoma (OK) | $50.00 ($5.00 with verified premarital counseling) | None (Immediate) | 30 Days | Issued by Court Clerk. Huge discount for completing 4 hours of premarital education. |
| Oregon (OR) | $50 - $65 | 72 Hours | 60 Days | 3-day waiting period; can be waived by County Clerk for additional fee. |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | $60 - $80 | 72 Hours | 60 Days | Mandatory 3-day waiting period. Issued by Register of Wills / Marriage License Bureau. |
| Rhode Island (RI) | $24.00 | None (Immediate) | 90 Days | Obtained from the City or Town Clerk where either party resides. |
| South Carolina (SC) | $50 - $100 | 24 Hours | 365 Days | 24-hour waiting period from application. Issued by County Probate Court. |
| South Dakota (SD) | $40.00 | None (Immediate) | 90 Days | Issued by Register of Deeds. Immediate issuance. |
| Tennessee (TN) | $97.50 ($37.50 with verified premarital course completion) | None (Immediate) | 30 Days | Issued by County Clerk. Save $60 by taking a 4-hour premarital counseling course. |
| Texas (TX) | $82.00 ($22.00 with 'Twogether in Texas' certificate) | 72 Hours | 90 Days | Mandatory 72-hour waiting period; waived for active-duty military or Twogether in Texas graduates. |
| Utah (UT) | $50.00 | None (Immediate) | 32 Days | Utah allows completely online marriage licenses and virtual ceremonies worldwide through Utah County. |
| Vermont (VT) | $80.00 | None (Immediate) | 60 Days | Obtained from Town Clerk in town of residence. Valid 60 days. |
| Virginia (VA) | $30.00 | None (Immediate) | 60 Days | Issued by Circuit Court Clerk. No waiting period. |
| Washington (WA) | $69.00 | 72 Hours | 60 Days | Mandatory 3-day waiting period from date of application. Valid 60 days. |
| West Virginia (WV) | $56.00 ($36.00 with verified premarital counseling) | None (Immediate) | 60 Days | Issued by County Clerk. No waiting period. |
| Wisconsin (WI) | $100 - $120 | 72 Hours | 60 Days | Issued by County Clerk. 3-day waiting period from date of application. |
| Wyoming (WY) | $30.00 | None (Immediate) | 365 Days | Issued by County Clerk. Valid for 1 year with no waiting period. |