Marriage license in the U.S.: cost and requirements by state and county
Official data with review dates. No account.
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A signed form and two rings: that's how the big day becomes official.
Pick your state on the map
Every state is a link. Below the map is the same list of states in alphabetical order.
List of states, A to Z
- Alabama State rules
- Alaska State rules
- Arizona 1 verified county
- Arkansas State rules
- California 5 verified counties
- Colorado State rules
- Connecticut State rules
- Delaware State rules
- District of Columbia No verified guide yet: check the official source. Official website (opens in a new tab)
- Florida 3 verified counties
- Georgia State rules
- Hawaii State rules
- Idaho State rules
- Illinois State rules
- Indiana State rules
- Iowa State rules
- Kansas State rules
- Kentucky No verified guide yet: check the official source. Official website (opens in a new tab)
- Louisiana State rules
- Maine State rules
- Maryland State rules
- Massachusetts State rules
- Michigan State rules
- Minnesota State rules
- Mississippi No verified guide yet: check the official source. Official website (opens in a new tab)
- Missouri State rules
- Montana State rules
- Nebraska State rules
- Nevada 1 verified county
- New Hampshire State rules
- New Jersey State rules
- New Mexico State rules
- New York 2 verified counties
- North Carolina State rules
- North Dakota State rules
- Ohio State rules
- Oklahoma State rules
- Oregon State rules
- Pennsylvania State rules
- Puerto Rico State rules
- Rhode Island State rules
- South Carolina State rules
- South Dakota State rules
- Tennessee State rules
- Texas 6 verified counties
- Utah State rules
- Vermont State rules
- Virginia State rules
- Washington State rules
- West Virginia State rules
- Wisconsin State rules
- Wyoming State rules
Map generated with data from us-atlas (ISC license) and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Counties with their own guide (18)
Fee, office and documents verified on each county's official website.
- Arizona: Maricopa County
- California: Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County
- Florida: Hillsborough County, Miami-Dade County, Orange County
- Nevada: Clark County
- New York: Bronx County, Queens County
- Texas: Bexar County, El Paso County, Harris County, Hidalgo County, Tarrant County, Travis County
Search your state, county or city and see what you usually need to get a marriage license: the fee, the documents, whether you both have to show up in person, and how long the license is good for. No account, no email address.
Right now we have guides for 49 states and 18 counties with their own page. For counties we haven't checked yet, we show the state's rule and the official link instead of guessing. We'll keep adding more, one at a time, each with its source.
How to use the tool
- Type your state, county or city (for example "Houston"), use the map, or tap "Use my location" if you'd like to find the marriage license office near you.
- Read the fee, the documents they ask for and the steps to get the license.
- Check the date we verified the information and open the link to the official source.
- Before you go, confirm with the county office. It takes a minute and can save you a wasted trip.
What you type and choose in the tool stays in your browser. We don't send it to AltarPlan's servers. There is one exception, and it only happens if you turn it on: the "Use my location" button.
Rules change: confirm with the county
Fees, office hours and requirements change over time, and every county sets its own. The information on this page comes from official sources, and each item shows the date we reviewed it. It may still have changed since then. Always confirm with your county office before you go. AltarPlan is not a government agency, does not issue licenses and does not give legal advice.
Marriage license FAQ
How much is a marriage license?
It depends on the county, and sometimes on the state. That's why the tool shows the fee for the county you pick, with the date we checked it. Also confirm which forms of payment the office accepts, because some don't take every kind.
What do you need to get a marriage license?
Almost always a government-issued photo ID for each person. Some counties ask for more, such as details about previous marriages. The exact list for your county appears in the result, and the office will confirm it.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to get married?
There is no single answer for the whole country, and we can't give legal advice. Each county lists which IDs it accepts. If you have questions about your situation, ask the county office or talk to an immigration attorney.
Does a marriage license expire, and where can I get married with it?
Yes, a license has a validity period, and in many cases it only works inside the state that issued it. The tool shows what each county's official source says. Confirm it before you set your ceremony date.
Is there a waiting period for a marriage license?
Some states make you wait between getting the license and using it, and others don't. The state and county pages show the waiting period when the official source states one, and tell you when we couldn't confirm it.
Does your marriage license have to be from the same county where you marry?
It depends on the state. In some states a license works in any county of the state, and in others you need to check where it can be used. Look at the "where it is valid" line on your state's page and confirm with the office that issues it.
Can I apply for a marriage license online?
Some counties let you fill out the application online first, but many still require both of you at the office. Each county page lists what that office says about appointments and online steps.
Is a marriage license the same as a marriage certificate?
No. The license is the permission to marry. After the ceremony, the signed license is recorded, and that is how you can get your marriage certificate.
Keep planning your wedding
Marriage license data comes from official sources. Read more about how we work in About AltarPlan.
Your privacy and your location
What you type and choose in the tool stays in your browser. Only if you tap "Use my location" and accept the permission prompt does your browser send your rounded location (about 0.6 miles, or 1 km) to the FCC to find out which county you're in, and only if you're in the U.S. We save in your browser only whether you agreed and the last place you looked up. Read the privacy policy.