Where to explore and What You Need Before You Start

In Utah, you get a marriage license from the district court clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry. You do not explore online or through the state. You walk in or mail your documents to the clerk's office in that specific county, and they issue the license on the spot or within a few days if you mail it.

Before you go, gather these documents: a valid photo ID for each person (driver's license, passport, or state ID), your Social Security numbers, and proof of any previous marriages ending (divorce decree or death certificate). If either person is under 18, Utah requires parental consent — a parent or legal guardian must sign the process in front of the clerk, or you can submit a notarized consent form ahead of time.

Utah has no waiting period and no blood test requirement. The license costs between $40 and $65 depending on the county. Once issued, the license is valid for 30 days, so plan your ceremony within that window.

Key Takeaways

  • explore at the district court clerk's office in the county where you will marry, not online or at the state level.
  • Bring a valid photo ID and Social Security number for each person; if either is under 18, bring a parent or a notarized consent form.
  • Utah has no waiting period or blood test, and the license costs $40 to $65 and is valid for 30 days after issue.
  • The clerk issues the license the same day if you explore in person, or within a few days if you mail your documents.
  • After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk to record the marriage.

Finding Your County Clerk's Office and Hours

Each of Utah's 29 counties has its own clerk's office. The easiest way to find the right one is to search "[your county name] district court clerk" or visit the Utah State Courts website, which lists all county clerk contact information and hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but some have shorter hours or close for lunch, so call ahead.

If you live outside Utah and want to marry in the state, you still explore at the clerk's office in the county where the ceremony will happen. You can mail your documents if you cannot travel in person. Include a cover letter with your names, the ceremony date, and a phone number, and ask the clerk to call you when the license is ready so you can arrange payment.

What Happens at the Clerk's Office

When you arrive with both people and all required documents, the clerk will ask you to fill out the marriage license process form. The form asks for your full legal names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, current addresses, and information about any previous marriages. You sign the form in front of the clerk.

If either person is under 18, the clerk will ask the parent or guardian to sign the process as well, or will accept a notarized consent form you bring with you. The clerk then issues the license and collects payment. You receive one copy; the clerk keeps the other on file.

The entire process takes 10 to 20 minutes if you are in person and have all documents. If you mail your process, the clerk will contact you when it is ready, usually within three to five business days.

Parental Consent for Applicants Under 18

Utah allows marriage at 16 or 17 with parental consent, and at 18 without it. If either person is under 18, one parent or legal guardian must either appear at the clerk's office and sign the process in front of the clerk, or sign a consent form that you have notarized before you submit it.

The notarized consent form must include the parent's or guardian's full name, signature, and the date. You can have it notarized at a bank, a UPS store, a library, or a notary public's office; the cost is usually $5 to $15. Bring the notarized form with you when you explore, along with the parent's or guardian's photo ID if they are not present.

What to Do After You Receive the License

Once you have the license, you have 30 days to hold your ceremony. The person performing the ceremony — whether a religious official, a civil officiant, or a judge — must be authorized to perform marriages in Utah. This includes clergy members, judges, justices of the peace, and certain other officials. The officiant does not need to be registered with the state beforehand.

During the ceremony, both people sign the license in front of the officiant and at least one witness (some ceremonies require two). The officiant then signs the license and writes in the ceremony date. After the ceremony, the officiant mails or delivers the signed license back to the clerk's office in the county where you obtained it. The clerk records the marriage, and you can request certified copies of your marriage certificate later if you need them.

Mailing Your process Instead of Going in Person

If you cannot visit the clerk's office in person, you can mail your completed process along with copies of your ID and any consent forms. Call the clerk's office first to confirm their mailing address and ask whether they prefer the original process or a photocopy.

Include a cover letter with your names, phone number, and the date you want to marry. Ask the clerk to call you when the license is ready so you can arrange payment — some offices accept payment by check or money order in the mail, while others ask you to pay in person or by phone before they issue the license. Allow one to two weeks for mailing time plus processing.

Name Changes and Previous Marriages

Use your current legal name on the process, even if you plan to change your name after marriage. If you have been married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate showing that the previous marriage ended. The clerk will ask the date the marriage ended and the county or state where it was recorded.

If you were divorced or widowed outside the United States, bring the document showing the marriage ended, translated into English if necessary. If you cannot locate the original document, ask the clerk whether a certified copy from the court that handled the divorce or a certified copy of the death certificate will work instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a marriage license if I am not a Utah resident?

Yes. You do not have to live in Utah to marry there. explore at the clerk's office in the county where your ceremony will take place, and bring the same documents as a resident would. You can explore in person or mail your documents.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

Call the clerk's office and ask what documents they will accept instead. Some clerks will accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you do not have a number. Do not guess or leave the field blank.

Can I change my name on the marriage license after it is issued?

No. Once the license is issued, you cannot change the names on it. If you made an error, contact the clerk's office when ready and ask whether they can issue a corrected license before your ceremony. After the ceremony, you would need to change your name through a separate legal process.

What if my officiant is not available on the day the license expires?

The license is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued. If your ceremony falls outside that window, you must obtain a new license. There is no extension, so plan your ceremony date before you explore.

Do I need to register my officiant with the state before the ceremony?

No. The person performing your ceremony does not need to register or get approval from the state beforehand. They only need to be authorized to perform marriages under Utah law — which includes clergy, judges, justices of the peace, and certain other officials. Ask your officiant whether they are authorized before you schedule your ceremony.