Cinematic overhead view of a marriage license application setup on a vintage oak desk, showcasing white forms with county seals, a fountain pen, wedding rings, and essential documents, all illuminated by warm golden hour light in a sage green courthouse interior.

How to Get a Marriage License: My No-Nonsense Guide to Tying the Legal Knot

How to Get a Marriage License: My No-Nonsense Guide to Tying the Legal Knot

Getting a marriage license threw me for a loop when I first started planning my wedding.

I thought it’d be simple—walk in, sign something, done.

Nope.

Turns out there’s paperwork, waiting periods, expiration dates, and a whole bureaucratic dance I wasn’t expecting.

I’ve since helped dozens of friends navigate this process, and I’m here to break it down so you don’t waste time or miss your wedding window because your license expired.

A serene minimalist courthouse interior bathed in soft morning light, featuring pale sage green walls, a vintage oak clerk's desk organized with marriage license documents and antique items, and hardwood floors with a subtle herringbone pattern.

Why Your Marriage License Actually Matters (And Why You Can’t Skip It)

Let me be blunt: no license, no legal marriage.

You can have the most gorgeous ceremony with three hundred guests and a ten-tier cake, but without that signed, filed marriage license, you’re just two people who threw an expensive party.

I learned this when my cousin’s officiant forgot to file their license within the required timeframe.

They had to redo the legal part months later at a courthouse.

Not exactly romantic.

The Basic Timeline (Because Timing Is Everything)

Here’s what most people get wrong: marriage licenses have expiration dates.

Most states give you between 30 to 90 days to actually get married after you receive your license.

Wait too long? You’ll need to reapply and pay again.

Apply too early? Same problem.

I recommend applying about 3-4 weeks before your wedding date—close enough that you won’t forget, far enough out that you’re not scrambling.

Overhead view of a couple's hands signing a marriage license on a vintage wooden table, featuring an elegant fountain pen, a crisp white application form, and intricate wedding rings, illuminated by soft golden hour sunlight casting shadows.

What You’ll Actually Need to Bring

Both of you need to show up together (yes, both of you—no sending your fiancé alone while you binge-watch Netflix).

Here’s your checklist:

Valid Photo ID

  • Driver’s license
  • State-issued ID card
  • Passport
  • Military ID

Proof of Previous Marriage Dissolution (if applicable)

  • Certified divorce decree
  • Death certificate of former spouse
  • Annulment papers

Cash or Card for Fees

  • Most counties charge $60-$100
  • Some places are cash-only (call ahead!)

I once drove two hours to a county clerk’s office only to discover they only accepted cash and the nearest ATM was broken.

Learn from my mistakes.

Intimate close-up of a marriage license document with an official county seal, elegantly folded in a vintage leather holder, set on a minimalist marble surface, accompanied by a delicate wedding band, showcasing embossed stamps and watermarks under soft studio lighting.

Step-by-Step: The Actual Process

Step 1: Figure Out WHERE to Go

You apply at your county clerk’s office, usually in the county where you’re getting married.

Google “[Your County Name] marriage license” and you’ll find the exact office.

Some counties let you start applications online, which saves time.

Step 2: Check If You Need an Appointment

Post-pandemic, many clerk’s offices require appointments.

Don’t just show up.

I’ve seen couples turned away because they assumed walk-ins were fine.

Step 3: Fill Out the Application Together

You’ll swear under oath that:

  • You’re not currently married to someone else
  • You’re not closely related by blood
  • You meet the minimum age requirements
  • You’re entering the marriage willingly

The application asks for:

  • Full legal names
  • Birth dates and places
  • Parents’ names
  • Social Security numbers (in most states)
  • Current addresses

Step 4: Pay the Fee

Hand over your money and try not to think about how that could’ve bought a nice picture frame for your wedding photos.

Step 5: Receive Your License

Most places give it to you immediately.

Some have waiting periods (looking at you, states with 1-3 day waiting requirements).

The license is NOT the same as a marriage certificate—that comes later after everything’s filed.

Wide architectural interior of a county clerk's office featuring high ceilings adorned with ornate crown molding, tall arched windows allowing natural light, vintage brass filing cabinets, meticulously organized document stations, a muted sage and cream color palette, hardwood floors with a subtle herringbone pattern, and mid-century modern chairs, all depicted in a cinematic wide-angle perspective that emphasizes institutional elegance.

The Waiting Period Trap

Several states make you wait between getting your license and actually using it:

  • No waiting period: Most states, including California, Nevada, and Texas
  • 24 hours: Delaware, Illinois
  • 3 days: Florida, Alaska, Missouri
  • 5 days: Minnesota

Plan accordingly or you’ll be stuck postponing your wedding.

Age Requirements (Yes, They Still Matter)

18 or older? You’re good to go in all states.

16-17 years old? You’ll need parental consent, and honestly, most clerks will give you side-eye.

Under 16? In the few states that still allow this, you’ll need court approval, and I’m not touching that topic with a ten-foot pole.

If you’re underage, please reconsider your timeline.

Detailed flat lay of marriage license preparation essentials including a passport, birth certificate, social security card, elegant leather document wallet, vintage fountain pen, and antique brass key on a soft linen background in warm ivory tones, illuminated by professional studio lighting.

The Witness Situation

Your marriage license needs signatures from:

  • You and your spouse
  • Your officiant
  • Usually 1-2 witnesses (depending on your state)

Witnesses can be literally anyone over 18 who’s mentally competent.

Your best friend, your mom, the wedding photographer, that random guest who showed up early.

Pro tip: Assign witnesses beforehand so you’re not scrambling after the ceremony trying to find someone who hasn’t hit the open bar yet.

Keep a nice pen handy for these signatures—it photographs better than that chewed-up Bic.

An atmospheric courthouse waiting area featuring vintage wooden benches with worn leather cushions, large architectural windows diffusing soft light, marble floors with subtle veining, antique brass wall sconces, and muted sage green walls, complemented by neatly arranged legal documents on a vintage clipboard in a mid-century modern style.

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