How to Get a Marriage License in the US
Marriage licenses come from the county clerk (or town/city clerk) where you will marry — not the state or federal government. Bring ID, pay $25–$115, and in most states you can marry immediately or after a short waiting period. The officiant returns the signed license, and the county issues the marriage certificate you need for name changes and immigration.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(2025-Latest).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go 20 min
Find the right office and rules
You apply in the county where you will MARRY (not where you live, in most states — Nevada and a few others issue statewide). Check the county clerk's website for hours, whether appointments are needed, the fee, and any waiting period (a few states make you wait 1–3 days between license and ceremony).
Click to mark as done
- Go 1 hour
Apply together at the clerk's office
Both partners apply in person in most counties (some now offer online pre-applications). Bring photo ID, know your Social Security numbers, and declare any prior marriages with their end dates. The clerk issues the license on the spot or after the waiting period.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay
Pay the fee and check the validity window
Fees run $25–$115 by county (cash-only in some). Licenses are valid 30–90 days depending on state — schedule the ceremony inside that window or reapply and pay again. Some states waive the fee if you complete premarital counseling.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare
Hold the ceremony with an authorized officiant
The license must be signed by an authorized officiant: religious leader, judge, justice of the peace, or in some states a notary or friend ordained online (check your state — some restrict who can officiate). Two witnesses are required in most states. The officiant and witnesses sign the license at the ceremony.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay
Return the signed license
The officiant (or you, in some counties) must return the signed license to the clerk within days of the ceremony — the deadline is printed on it. The county records it and issues the official marriage certificate. Order 2–3 certified copies ($10–$30 each) — you will need them repeatedly.
Click to mark as done
- Receive
Use the certificate for everything downstream
Certified copies drive the paperwork chain: Social Security name change, driver's license update, passport, employer benefits, insurance, and immigration petitions (I-130Petition for Alien Relative — The form a US citizen or green card holder files to sponsor a spouse, child, parent, or sibling.Click for official info ↗ spousal cases require it). Keep the certificate with your permanent records — it is proof for life.
Click to mark as done
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
We are getting married for immigration purposes. Any red flags?
The marriage license process is identical for everyone. For the immigration side, the I-130Petition for Alien Relative — The form a US citizen or green card holder files to sponsor a spouse, child, parent, or sibling.Click for official info ↗ petition requires the marriage certificate plus evidence the marriage is genuine (joint accounts, photos, leases). A marriage that is legal but entered into solely for a green cardPermanent Resident Card — The ID card proving lawful permanent resident status — live and work in the US permanently.Click for official info ↗ is immigration fraud — the process is the same, but the relationship must be real.
Can we get married the same day we get the license?
In most states yes (no waiting period), but some impose 1–3 days. If you are planning a courthouse wedding, ask the clerk whether a judge is available the same day — many counties perform ceremonies at the courthouse for a small fee.
My partner does not have a Social Security number.
Non-citizens without SSNs can still marry — states that collect SSNs let you state that you have none. Bring the passport and any immigration documents as ID. The marriage is fully valid; the SSNSocial Security Number — A 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration. It is the main US identity number for work, taxes, and credit.Click for official info ↗ question is for record-keeping only.
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