How to Get a Marriage License in the US
Marriage licenses come from the county clerk where you will marry. In some places, they come from the town/city clerk. They do not come from the state or federal government. Bring ID and pay $25–$115, and in most states you can marry right away or after a short waiting period. The officiant returns the signed license. The county then issues the marriage certificate. You need it for name changes and immigration.
At a glance
- Cost:
- $25–$115 depending on county
- Total time:
- 1 hour at the clerk; license valid 30–90 days
- Steps:
- 6 steps
- Where to apply:
- usmarriagelaws.com
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(October 2026).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go 20 min
Find the right office and rules
You apply in the county where you will MARRY. In most states, this is not where you live. Nevada and a few others issue licenses statewide. Check the county clerk's website. Look for hours. Check if you need an appointment. Check the fee and any waiting period. A few states make you wait 1–3 days between the license and the 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 counties now offer online pre-applications. Bring photo ID. Know your Social Security numbers. State any prior marriages and their end dates. The clerk issues the license on the spot. Or they issue it 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. Some counties take cash only. Licenses are valid 30–90 days. This depends on the state. Schedule the ceremony inside that window. If you miss it, you must 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
An authorized officiant must sign the license. This can be a religious leader or a judge. It can be a justice of the peace. In some states, it can be a notary or a friend ordained online. Check your state. Some states 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 must return the signed license to the clerk. In some counties, you return it. You must do this within days of the ceremony. The deadline is printed on the license. The county records it. Then it issues the official marriage certificate. Order 2–3 certified copies. They cost $10–$30 each. You will need them again and again.
Click to mark as done
- Receive
Use the certificate for everything downstream
Certified copies help with all the paperwork that follows. This includes a Social Security name change. It includes a driver's license update and a passport. It includes employer benefits and insurance. It also includes 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
Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Applying in the wrong county. Apply in the county where you will marry, not where you live. Nevada and a few others issue licenses statewide, so check the county clerk website for the right office.
Missing the waiting period. In most states there is no wait and you can marry right away, but a few states make you wait 1 to 3 days between the license and the ceremony. Check before you plan the date.
Letting the license expire. Licenses are valid 30 to 90 days depending on the state. Schedule the ceremony inside that window. If you miss it, you must reapply and pay the fee again.
Using an officiant your state does not allow. An authorized officiant must sign the license, and some states restrict who can officiate. Two witnesses are required in most states, so confirm both before the ceremony.
Not returning the signed license on time. The officiant must return the signed license to the clerk within days of the ceremony, and the deadline is printed on the license. The county then issues the marriage certificate, which you need for name changes and immigration.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
We are getting married for immigration purposes. Any red flags?
The marriage license process is the same for everyone. For immigration, the I-130 petition requires the marriage certificate. It also requires evidence that the marriage is genuine. Evidence can include joint accounts, photos, and leases. A marriage can be legal but still be fraud. This happens if you marry 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 ↗. 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. There is no waiting period. But some states impose a wait of 1–3 days. If you plan a courthouse wedding, ask the clerk one question. Is a judge 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 as ID. Bring any immigration documents too. 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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