Getting married is a significant and joyous milestone that involves a series of legal steps and requirements. Each state in the United States has its own set of rules and procedures governing the marriage process. Typically, couples must secure a marriage license, hold a ceremony, and ensure their marriage is legally recognized by filing the necessary documents. These steps help protect the legal rights of both individuals and establish their marital status in the eyes of the law. Understanding these requirements ensures a smooth transition from engagement to marriage, safeguarding the union’s legality and providing peace of mind. Learn about the essential steps to legally getting married.
The Essential Steps To Getting Legally Married
To legally marry in the United States, couples must follow a specific process that typically includes applying for a marriage license, holding a ceremony, and filing the marriage certificate. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Obtain a Marriage License: Before getting married, couples must apply for a marriage license from the county clerk’s office. This document authorizes the couple to marry and is legally required in all states.
- Ceremony: The couple must hold a marriage ceremony after obtaining the license. This ceremony can take various forms, depending on the couple’s preferences:
- Religious Ceremony: Conducted by a religious officiant such as a priest, minister, rabbi, or imam. Religious ceremonies are often held in places of worship.
- Civil Ceremony: Conducted by a judge, court official, or other legally recognized officiant. Civil ceremonies typically take place in courthouses but can also be held in other locations such as parks or community centers.
- Non-Traditional Venues: Couples can choose unique locations for their ceremony, including beaches, mountains, or even while skydiving. The key requirement is that a legally recognized officiant conducts the ceremony.
- Destination Weddings: These are ceremonies held in locations outside the couple’s home state or country. Destination weddings often combine the wedding and honeymoon in one trip.
- Quick Service Locations: Some services, like those offered by UPS stores, provide notary services that can include conducting marriage ceremonies. This is a convenient option for couples looking for a quick and simple wedding.
- Filing the Marriage Certificate: Once the ceremony is complete, the officiant and witnesses sign the marriage certificate. The couple must return the signed certificate to the county clerk’s office for official recording.
Marriage License
The marriage license is a crucial document in the marriage process. It is obtained from the county clerk’s office and must be secured before the wedding ceremony. Requirements for obtaining a marriage license may vary by state but generally include proof of identity, age, and sometimes residency. Please note that a marriage license is not a marriage certificate. Learn the differences between marriage license vs. certificate here.
Steps to Get Legally Married at the Courthouse
Courthouse weddings, or civil ceremonies, are a straightforward and often cost-effective way to get married. To marry at a courthouse, couples must:
- Apply for and obtain a marriage license.
- Schedule an appointment with the courthouse for the ceremony.
- Bring the necessary documents, such as the marriage license and identification.
- Have at least two witnesses present, depending on state requirements.
How Much It Costs to Get Married at the Courthouse
The cost of a courthouse wedding varies by state and county but generally includes the marriage license fee and a nominal fee for the ceremony.
State & Marriage License Fee
| State | Marriage License Fee |
| Alabama | $70 |
| Alaska | $60 |
| Arizona | $76 |
| Arkansas | $60 |
| California | $90 |
| Colorado | $30 |
| Connecticut | $50 |
| Delaware | $50 |
| Florida | $93.50 |
| Georgia | $56 |
| Hawaii | $60 |
| Idaho | $30 |
| Illinois | $60 |
| Indiana | $18 |
| Iowa | $35 |
| Kansas | $85.50 |
| Kentucky | $50 |
| Louisiana | $27.50 |
| Maine | $40 |
| Maryland | $35-$85 (varies by county) |
| Massachusetts | $50 |
| Michigan | $20-$30 (residents vs non-residents) |
| Minnesota | $115 |
| Mississippi | $21-$23 |
| Missouri | $46 |
| Montana | $53 |
| Nebraska | $25 |
| Nevada | $60 |
| New Hampshire | $50 |
| New Jersey | $28 |
| New Mexico | $25 |
| New York | $35-$40 |
| North Carolina | $60 |
| North Dakota | $65 |
| Ohio | $36-$76 (varies by county) |
| Oklahoma | $50 |
| Oregon | $60 |
| Pennsylvania | $40-$90 (varies by county) |
| Rhode Island | $24 |
| South Carolina | $30-$50 (varies by county) |
| South Dakota | $40 |
| Tennessee | $97.50 |
| Texas | $60-$81 (with premarital course discount) |
| Utah | $40 |
| Vermont | $60 |
| Virginia | $30 |
| Washington | $69 |
| West Virginia | $56 |
| Wisconsin | $50-$75 (varies by county) |
| Wyoming | $30 |
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get Married
The legal age to get married without parental consent in the United States is typically 18. However, minors may marry with parental or judicial consent in some states. Additional requirements and restrictions may apply to minor applicants. The specific age requirements can vary significantly from state to state, and in the table below, you will find the permitted marriage age for each state:
| State | Minimum Age without Parental Consent | Minimum Age with Parental Consent | Additional Requirements for Minors |
| Alabama | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Alaska | 18 | 16 | Parental and judicial consent |
| Arizona | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Arkansas | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| California | 18 | None | Judicial consent required |
| Colorado | 18 | 16 | Parental and judicial consent |
| Connecticut | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Delaware | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Florida | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Georgia | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Hawaii | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Idaho | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Illinois | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Indiana | 18 | 16 | Parental and judicial consent |
| Iowa | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Kansas | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Kentucky | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Louisiana | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Maine | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Maryland | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Massachusetts | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Michigan | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Minnesota | 18 | 16 | Parental and judicial consent |
| Mississippi | 21 | 17 | Parental consent required |
| Missouri | 18 | 16 | Parental and judicial consent |
| Montana | 18 | 16 | Parental and judicial consent |
| Nebraska | 19 | 17 | Parental consent required |
| Nevada | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| New Hampshire | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| New Jersey | 18 | None | Judicial consent required |
| New Mexico | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| New York | 18 | 17 | Judicial consent required |
| North Carolina | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| North Dakota | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Ohio | 18 | 16 | Parental and judicial consent |
| Oklahoma | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Oregon | 18 | 17 | Parental consent required |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Rhode Island | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| South Carolina | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| South Dakota | 18 | 16 | Parental and judicial consent |
| Tennessee | 18 | 17 | Parental consent required |
| Texas | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Utah | 18 | 16 | Parental and judicial consent |
| Vermont | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Virginia | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Washington | 18 | 17 | Parental consent required |
| West Virginia | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Wisconsin | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
| Wyoming | 18 | 16 | Parental consent required |
How Many Witnesses to Legally Get Married
Most states require at least two witnesses at the wedding ceremony. These witnesses must sign the marriage certificate along with the officiant. Some states may have different requirements, so it’s essential to check with the local county clerk’s office. Below is a table with the specific witness requirements for each state:
State & Witnesses Required
| State | Witnesses Required |
| Alabama | No |
| Alaska | Yes, 2 |
| Arizona | Yes, 2 |
| Arkansas | No |
| California | Yes, 1 |
| Colorado | No |
| Connecticut | Yes, 2 |
| Delaware | No |
| Florida | Yes, 2 |
| Georgia | No |
| Hawaii | Yes, 2 |
| Idaho | No |
| Illinois | Yes, 2 |
| Indiana | Yes, 2 |
| Iowa | Yes, 1 |
| Kansas | Yes, 2 |
| Kentucky | Yes, 2 |
| Louisiana | Yes, 2 |
| Maine | Yes, 2 |
| Maryland | Yes, 2 |
| Massachusetts | Yes, 2 |
| Michigan | Yes, 2 |
| Minnesota | Yes, 2 |
| Mississippi | Yes, 2 |
| Missouri | Yes, 2 |
| Montana | Yes, 2 |
| Nebraska | No |
| Nevada | Yes, 1 |
| New Hampshire | Yes, 2 |
| New Jersey | Yes, 2 |
| New Mexico | Yes, 2 |
| New York | Yes, 1 |
| North Carolina | Yes, 2 |
| North Dakota | Yes, 2 |
| Ohio | Yes, 2 |
| Oklahoma | Yes, 2 |
| Oregon | Yes, 2 |
| Pennsylvania | Yes, 2 |
| Rhode Island | Yes, 2 |
| South Carolina | Yes, 2 |
| South Dakota | Yes, 2 |
| Tennessee | Yes, 2 |
| Texas | Yes, 2 |
| Utah | Yes, 2 |
| Vermont | Yes, 2 |
| Virginia | Yes, 2 |
| Washington | Yes, 2 |
| West Virginia | Yes, 2 |
| Wisconsin | Yes, 2 |
| Wyoming | Yes, 2 |
Additional Considerations To Legally Getting Married
Three-Day Waiting Period & Pre-Marital Course
In many states, there is a mandatory waiting period between obtaining a marriage license and holding the wedding ceremony. This waiting period can vary, typically lasting around three days, but it may be longer or shorter depending on the state’s regulations. Additionally, some states offer the option to waive this waiting period or reduce the marriage license fee if the couple completes a pre-marital course. These courses usually cover topics such as communication skills, conflict resolution, and financial planning, providing valuable preparation for married life. Below, we provide a table with the approximate waiting periods and any applicable pre-marital course benefits for each state, as these details can vary significantly.
| State | Waiting Period | Pre-Marital Course Benefits |
| Alabama | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Alaska | 3 days | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Arizona | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Arkansas | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| California | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Colorado | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Connecticut | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Delaware | 1 day | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Florida | 3 days | Waiver and fee reductions are available |
| Georgia | None | Waiver and fee reductions are available |
| Hawaii | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Idaho | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Illinois | 1 day | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Indiana | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Iowa | 3 days | Waiver available |
| Kansas | 3 days | Waiver available |
| Kentucky | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Louisiana | 3 days | Waiver available |
| Maine | 3 days | Waiver available |
| Maryland | 2 days | Waiver available |
| Massachusetts | 3 days | Waiver available |
| Michigan | 3 days | Waiver available |
| Minnesota | 5 days | Waiver and fee reductions are available |
| Mississippi | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Missouri | 3 days | Waiver available |
| Montana | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Nebraska | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Nevada | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| New Hampshire | 3 days | Waiver available |
| New Jersey | 3 days | Waiver available |
| New Mexico | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| New York | 1 day | Waiver available |
| North Carolina | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| North Dakota | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Ohio | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Oklahoma | None | Waiver and fee reductions are available |
| Oregon | 3 days | Waiver available |
| Pennsylvania | 3 days | Waiver available |
| Rhode Island | 3 days | Waiver available |
| South Carolina | 1 day | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| South Dakota | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Tennessee | None | Waiver and fee reductions are available |
| Texas | 3 days | Waiver and fee reductions are available |
| Utah | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Vermont | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Virginia | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Washington | 3 days | Waiver available |
| West Virginia | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
| Wisconsin | 6 days | Waiver available |
| Wyoming | None | No waiver, no fee reduction |
In conclusion, understanding and following the essential steps to legally getting married ensures your union is fully recognized and protected by law. From obtaining a marriage license and holding a ceremony with a legally recognized officiant to filing the marriage certificate, each step is crucial in formalizing your commitment. By adhering to these requirements, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your marriage is legally valid and recognized wherever you go.