Vital Records & Marriage Bureau Guide
50-State Marriage License Laws & Waiting Periods
Waiting periods and validity are set by state law; fees vary by county. Check the issuing office’s website for its current fee, ID requirements and appointment rules before you go.
Marriage license rules by state
Fee ranges are typical county amounts. Rows marked “checked” were confirmed against an official source on October 3, 2026.
| State | License Fee Range | Mandatory Waiting Period | Validity Duration | State Notes & Specifics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama (AL) | Set by each probate court | None (Immediate) | Record certificate within 30 days of the later signature | Alabama no longer issues marriage licenses (since 2019). Couples file a signed, notarized marriage certificate with a probate court within 30 days of the later signature. |
| 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) | Ask the probate court | 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✓ checked Oct 3, 2026 | 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✓ checked Oct 3, 2026 | 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. |