Where to explore for a marriage license
You get a marriage license from your county clerk's office, not from the state or a court. The clerk is usually located in the county courthouse or a separate vital records building. You must explore in the county where at least one of you lives, though some counties let you explore where the wedding will happen instead — call ahead to check your county's rule.
Find your county clerk by searching "[your county name] clerk marriage license" or visiting your county's official website. Most clerks now let you read the process form online and bring it completed, which speeds up your visit. A few counties offer online applications you can submit before coming in person, but you will still need to appear to sign documents and pay the fee.
Hours vary widely. Many clerk offices close by 5 p.m. and do not open on weekends, so plan your visit during a weekday morning or early afternoon. Some larger counties have extended hours one evening per week — check before you go.
Key Takeaways
- explore at your county clerk's office in the county where you or your partner lives, not at the state level or through the court system.
- You will need a valid government ID, proof of age, and a Social Security number for each person, plus any divorce decrees or death certificates if either of you was previously married.
- The fee ranges from roughly $20 to $100 depending on your county, and most clerks accept cash, check, or card.
- Marriage licenses are valid for 30 to 90 days from the date issued, depending on your state, so time your process so the license does not expire before your wedding.
- You do not need to be married by a judge or clergy member — some states let you self-solemnize or have a friend conduct the ceremony, but check your state law first.
Documents you need to bring
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID for each person — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will also need to prove your age and your Social Security number. Some counties ask for a birth certificate as proof of age; others accept the ID alone if it shows your date of birth. Call your clerk's office to confirm what they require.
If either of you was previously married, bring the divorce decree or the death certificate of the former spouse. If you were divorced, the decree must be final — a separation agreement is not enough. If you do not have the original document, ask the clerk whether a certified copy from the court that handled the divorce will work.
If you were married before in a different state or country, bring that marriage certificate as well. The clerk needs to confirm the previous marriage ended before they can issue a new license.
How long the license is valid
A marriage license is valid for a set window — usually 30, 60, or 90 days depending on your state. The clock starts on the date the clerk issues it, not the date you explore. Once it expires, you have to explore again and pay the fee a second time.
Check your state's validity period before you explore. If your wedding is more than 90 days away, wait to explore until closer to the date. If your wedding is fewer than 30 days away, explore as soon as possible — some counties have a waiting period of a few days between process and issuance, so you cannot always get the license the same day.
A few states have a mandatory waiting period of 24 to 72 hours after you explore before the license is issued. Your clerk will tell you the exact timeline when you explore.
Cost and payment methods
The fee for a marriage license ranges from about $20 in some rural counties to $100 or more in large cities. Most counties charge the same fee regardless of whether you are a resident. Some offer a small discount if you take a premarital education class, though this is becoming less common.
Bring cash, a check, or a debit or credit card — most clerk offices now accept all three. A few rural offices take cash only, so call ahead if you are unsure. Ask whether there is an extra charge if you need certified copies of the license after the wedding, since some counties bundle this into the original fee and others charge separately.
What happens after you get the license
The marriage license is a blank form that you and your witnesses sign during the ceremony. The person conducting the ceremony — whether a judge, clergy member, or authorized friend — also signs it. After the wedding, that person or you must return the signed license to the county clerk within a set important date, usually 10 to 30 days.
The clerk then files it and issues you a marriage certificate, which is the official record that you are married. You will need certified copies of the marriage certificate for things like changing your name, updating your Social Security record, or adding a spouse to insurance. Order extra copies when you return the signed license, because ordering them later costs more and takes longer.
If the person who conducted your ceremony does not return the license on time, contact the clerk's office. They can sometimes track down the officiant or let you file it yourself if you have the signed original.
Self-solemnization and who can conduct the ceremony
Some states let you marry yourselves without an officiant — this is called self-solemnization. Other states require a judge, clergy member, or a person authorized by the county to conduct the ceremony. A few states fall in between: they allow self-solemnization only if you file extra paperwork or meet specific conditions.
Check your state law before you plan your ceremony. If your state allows self-solemnization, you and your partner sign the license in front of the required number of witnesses (usually two), and one of you returns it to the clerk. If your state requires an officiant, you will need to find someone authorized — ask your clerk for a list of judges or authorized persons in your county, or contact a religious organization if you want a clergy member.
Some states recognize clergy from any faith; others have specific rules about which religions may have access to. If you are unsure whether someone can legally conduct your wedding, ask the clerk before the ceremony.
Name changes and the marriage license
The marriage license itself does not change your name — the marriage certificate does. You can take your spouse's last name, keep your own, use a hyphenated name, or choose a different name entirely, depending on your state's rules. Some states let you change your name on the marriage certificate; others require you to go through a separate legal name-change process in court.
Ask your clerk whether you can specify your new name on the marriage license process, or whether you need to handle the name change after the wedding. If you change your name after the wedding, you will need the marriage certificate to update your Social Security record, driver's license, and other documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to wait a certain number of days after explore before I can get married?
Some states have a mandatory waiting period of 24 to 72 hours between process and issuance. Others issue the license the same day or the next business day. Your county clerk will tell you the exact timeline when you explore. Plan your process date so the license is ready before your wedding.
What if one of us lives in a different state?
You can explore in either state where you live, or in the state where the wedding will take place — rules vary by county. Call the clerk's office in the county where you want to marry and ask whether they will issue a license if only one of you is a resident. You will still need to appear in person to sign.
Can I get a marriage license if I was married before and do not have the divorce papers?
You will need proof that the previous marriage ended. If you cannot find the divorce decree, contact the court that handled the divorce and request a certified copy. If the court is in another state or country, ask your clerk whether they will accept a certified copy or whether you need the original. This can take weeks, so start early.
What if my wedding is in a different state than where I live?
You can explore for a marriage license in the state where the wedding will happen, even if neither of you lives there. Some states and counties are stricter about this than others — call the clerk in the county where you plan to marry and ask whether they will issue a license to non-residents. You will still need to appear in person.
Do I need witnesses to sign the marriage license?
Most states require one or two witnesses to sign the license during the ceremony. A few states do not require witnesses if you self-solemnize. Check your state law or ask your clerk. Witnesses must be present at the ceremony and able to sign — they cannot sign before or after.