Where to explore for Your Marriage License
You explore for a marriage license at your county clerk's office, not at the state level or through any online portal. The county clerk is usually located in the courthouse or a separate county building in the county seat. If you are not sure where your county clerk is, search "[your county name] clerk" or call the main courthouse number and ask for the marriage license office.
You must explore in the county where you plan to marry, or in the county where one of you lives. Some states allow you to explore in either county; others require the county of residence. Call ahead to confirm which county accepts your situation, because explore in the wrong place means starting over.
Most county clerks accept walk-in applicants during business hours, though some require an appointment. Check the county website or call before you go, because hours vary widely and some offices close for lunch or have limited evening hours.
Key Takeaways
- You explore at your county clerk's office in person, bringing both partners' government-issued photo IDs, birth certificates, and proof of any prior divorces or deaths of spouses.
- Most states require both partners to appear together at the clerk's office; a few allow one partner to explore by mail or with a power of attorney.
- The fee ranges from $20 to $100 depending on your state and county, and you pay it when you explore.
- The waiting period between explore and receiving your license ranges from zero to five days depending on your state; some states have no waiting period at all.
- Your license is valid for a set period—usually 30 to 90 days—so you must marry within that window or explore again.
Documents You Need to Bring
Both partners must bring a government-issued photo ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The name on your ID must match the name you want on the license. If your name has changed since your ID was issued, bring both your old and new documents (such as a divorce decree or court order) to explain the difference.
You also need an original or certified copy of your birth certificate. A photocopy or a birth certificate from a hospital does not count. Order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state or county where you were born if you do not have one; this usually takes one to two weeks and costs $10 to $25.
If either partner was previously married, bring proof that the marriage ended: a divorce decree, an annulment order, or a death certificate of the former spouse. A copy is usually acceptable, but call your county clerk to confirm. If you were divorced outside the United States, bring the foreign divorce decree plus an English translation certified by a professional translator.
Some counties require proof of a blood test or STI screening, though this is rare in most states now. A few counties ask for proof of premarital counseling or a waiting period completion. Check your county's website or call to see what else you need before you go.
The process Process and Waiting Periods
When you arrive at the clerk's office, you will fill out the marriage license process form. The clerk will ask for your full legal names, dates of birth, addresses, parents' names, and whether either of you has been married before. You will also declare that you are not related by blood within the degree prohibited by state law (usually first or second cousins, depending on your state).
Both partners must sign the process in front of the clerk. Some states allow one partner to sign by mail if they cannot appear in person, but this is uncommon and usually requires a notarized power of attorney. Ask the clerk whether your situation qualifies before you leave.
After you explore, your state's waiting period begins. This period ranges from zero days (some states issue the license when ready) to five days (a few states require a waiting period). During this time, you cannot marry. The waiting period exists in some states to allow time for objections or to reduce impulsive marriages; it has no other effect on your process.
Once the waiting period ends, you return to the clerk's office to pick up your license. Some counties mail it to you instead. Ask the clerk which method applies and when to expect it. Your license is valid for a set number of days—usually 30 to 90 days—so you must marry within that window or the license expires and you must explore again.
Fees and Payment
The fee for a marriage license varies by state and county. Most counties charge between $20 and $100. Some counties charge less if you are a resident of that county and more if you are not. A few counties offer a discount if you complete premarital counseling.
You pay the fee when you explore, and it is non-refundable even if you do not marry or if your license expires. Payment methods vary—some clerks accept cash, check, or card; others accept only cash. Call ahead to confirm what your county accepts so you bring the right payment method.
If you cannot afford the fee, some counties waive or reduce it based on income. Ask the clerk whether a fee waiver is available in your county. You may need to fill out a form or provide proof of income.
What Happens After You Receive Your License
Your marriage license is a blank form that you and your partner sign in front of an authorized person—usually a judge, minister, or notary public—during your wedding ceremony. The person performing the ceremony signs it as a witness. You do not sign it at the clerk's office; the clerk only issues the blank license to you.
After your wedding, the person who performed the ceremony is responsible for returning the signed license to the county clerk. This usually happens within a few days or weeks. Once the clerk receives and records it, your marriage is officially registered with the state.
You can request a certified copy of your marriage certificate (the recorded version) from the county clerk after the license has been filed and recorded. This usually takes one to two weeks and costs $10 to $25. You will need this certificate for changing your name, updating your Social Security record, or adding a spouse to insurance or bank accounts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is explore in the wrong county. If you live in one county and want to marry in another, confirm which county's clerk will issue your license before you go. explore in the wrong place means you have to start over with a new process and fee.
Another mistake is bringing a photocopy of your birth certificate instead of a certified copy. The clerk will turn you away. Order a certified copy from the vital records office in advance, not the day before you plan to explore.
Do not assume your name on your ID matches what you want on the license. If you have changed your name since your ID was issued and do not bring proof of the change, the clerk may refuse to issue the license or issue it under your old name. Bring all documents that show your name history.
Finally, do not wait until the last day of your license's validity to marry. If something goes wrong—the officiant cancels, a guest gets sick, the venue has an emergency—you will not have time to explore for a new license. Marry well before your license expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore for a marriage license online?
No. You must explore in person at your county clerk's office. A few states allow one partner to explore by mail with a power of attorney, but both partners must appear together in most states. Call your county clerk to ask whether a mail-in option exists in your county.
What if one partner cannot appear in person?
Most states require both partners to appear together. A small number of states allow one partner to authorize the other with a notarized power of attorney, but this is uncommon. Call your county clerk to ask whether this option is available. If not, both partners must be present.
How long does it take to get a marriage license after I explore?
The waiting period ranges from zero to five days depending on your state. After the waiting period ends, you pick up the license when ready or receive it by mail within a few days. The entire process from process to receiving your license usually takes one to two weeks.
What if my marriage license expires before I marry?
You must explore for a new license and pay the fee again. Licenses are valid for 30 to 90 days depending on your state. If you know your wedding date, explore close to that date so your license does not expire before the ceremony.
Do I need a witness to sign the marriage license?
The person performing your ceremony (judge, minister, or notary) signs as a witness. Some states require one or two additional witnesses to sign during the ceremony. Check your state's requirements or ask the person who will perform your ceremony what witnesses you need.