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A marriage license is essentially a permit which states that you and your partner are legally free to marry each other. That you are of legal age, divorced, widowed – legally of course – and not related to each other and have had blood tests if required to do so.
You will need to locate your local marriage license office and that you have arranged to go and apply for your license.
Marriage licenses are only valid for a specific period of time, so be sure to find out what that time is, and make sure that you apply for your license and that the license is valid on your wedding date. Both the bride and groom must be present in most states, although there are a few exceptions.
What Will You Need To Apply For Your Marriage License?
- Birth certificates (proof of age)
- Proof of citizenship and/or residence
- Photo identification
- Parental consent if underage (usually 16-17; you may also need court consent)
- Death certificate if widowed
- Divorce decree if divorced
- Blood test results (if needed; only a few states still require this)
After the wedding your officiant will send your signed license to the marriage license bureau, and then you should receive a certified copy within a few weeks or months depending on your state.
California
- Fee charged
- License valid for: 90 days, no waiting period
- Blood test: no
- Contact the wedding coordinator at the resort where you'll be staying or call the Napa Valley County Clerk (707) 253-4246, or Sonoma County Clerk, (707) 527-3700
Florida
- Fee charged
- Waiting Period: 3 Days
- License valid for: 60 days
- Blood Test: No
- Monroe County Clerk of Courts (305) 292-3550 (Key West), (305) 852-7145 (Isla Morada), (305) 289-6027 (Marathon); Disneyworld: Orange County Clerk of Courts Marriage License Division (407) 836-2067, Walt Disney World (407) 828-3400 or www.disneyweddings.com
Hawaii
- Fee charged
- Waiting Period:
- Licenses must be filed with the state health department office in Honolulu, or call the department for listings of agents in rural communities. Forms require the names of parents and their places of birth. Both parties must appear in person.
- Department of Health marriage licensing office or (808) 586-4544; or http://www.gohawaii.com
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Las Vegas
- Fee charged
- Waiting Period: None
- License valid for: Indefinitely
- Blood Test: No
- Clark County Marriage Bureau, (702) 455-4415, ext. 5
Mackinack Island, Michigan
- Fee charged
- Waiting Period: 3 days
- License valid for: 30 days
- Blood Test: No
- Contact the wedding coordinator at the resort where you'll be staying or call the Mackinac Island Chamber of Commerce, (800) 4-LILACS
Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Fee charged: Varies by county/town
- Waiting Period: 3 Days
- License valid for: 60 days
- Blood Test: Yes
- Contact the wedding coordinator at the resort where you'll be staying.
New Orleans, Louisiana
- Fee charged
- Waiting Period: 3 Days
- License valid for: 30 days
- Blood Test: No
- Contact the wedding coordinator at the resort where you'll be staying, or call the Louisiana Office of Tourism, (800) 261-9144
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