Welcome to Marriage License Requirements Website!

In the United States each state has its own requirements for obtaining a marriage license from that state. If you are eloping or planning a destination wedding you need to first make sure that the state you wish to elope to allows them. Many states now require premarital counseling before they will issues a marriage license, and other states require waiting periods, which make destination weddings hard to plan.

In general there are 10 things you will need to find out from the county clerks office regarding your marriage license. First as the clerk if there is a residency requirement for the given state. Some state have residency requirements but will wave them for military personnel. Then check to make sure if a valid United States ID is required. This goes above and beyond the residency requirement. Some states only require that you be a legal resident of the U.S. where other states will allow none residents to marry in the U.S. Once that has been resolved check to make sure there is not a waiting period or if there is one it will work with your schedule. Do to the DOMA(Defense of Marriage Acts) being passed in many states there are now waiting periods in many states that are longer than 24 or 48 hours. Some states have waiting periods of 72 or more hours. If the waiting period will work within your time frame, you then need to follow up with the Clerk to verify that no medical tests are needed. Some states still have laws that require blood tests, though the outcome of the blood test will not determine the issuance of the license.

The three other important marriage license requirements are: Does the state require premarital counseling before they will grant a marriage license. Some states wave the premarital requirement for out of state residence. As well every state has some form of age requirements for marriage. If you are in your late teens most states will let you marry will parental consent. If this is an issue make sure you find the exact requirements due to the fact that one or both parents might need to be present at the time you are issued the license from the County Courthouse.

Marriage License Requirements Checklist

What kind of identification will we need?

Do I have to be a resident of the state?

Is there a waiting period?

How long is the Marriage License valid?

Are medical test required?

What are the age requirements?

Is there a requirement or discounts for Premarital Counseling?

How much does the marriage license cost?

Other miscellaneous questions that might be relevant to you.

Are proxy marriages allowed?

Are Common Law marriages allowed

I am previously married, do I need to provide paperwork of any kind?

Will the court house provide a list of Wedding Officiants?

Can I marrying a Cousin?

Please remember that marriage license requirements very for each state. You will need to contact a County Clerk's office in the state you wish to marry to get exact detail. As you can see from the list above be prepared to asked some very specific questions. Remember that the county clerk really could care less that you are getting married and many times they are less than forthcoming with the information you need. Be prepared to ask very specific questions.