How do I get a marriage license?

County Clerk (county level - each of Arkansas's 75 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Both parties visit any Arkansas County Clerk's office in person (license valid statewide regardless of which county issues it)
Both parties present valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or military ID)
Provide Social Security numbers for both parties
Complete the marriage license application
Pay the fee - receive license immediately (no waiting period for adults 18+)
Get married within 60 days - license expires 60 days from issuance
Officiant signs the license after the ceremony
Return the signed license (used or unused) to the issuing county clerk within 60 days for recording - failure to return triggers a $100 bond against all applicants

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid government-issued photo ID for both parties
Social Security numbers for both parties
If name changed through divorce and ID doesn't reflect it: certified copy of divorce decree restoring original name
If 17 years old: both parents must be present with a notarized affidavit of consent; 5-business-day waiting period applies; if parents are divorced, custodial parent must provide latest court order
No one under 17 may marry in Arkansas

Fee

$60 statewide (most counties); some counties may vary slightly - call ahead; cash is most widely accepted; some counties also accept card or check

Waiting Period

None for adults 18+; 5-business-day waiting period for applicants under 18 LICENSE VALIDITY: 60 days from date of issuance

Online Option

No - both parties must appear in person; some counties offer pre-application forms online

Where to Go

Any Arkansas County Clerk's office; license valid statewide but must be returned to the issuing county

County-specific variations apply

Fee is uniformly $60 across most counties but verify with your specific county clerk. Payment methods vary - most counties accept cash; some accept cards or checks. Minister credentials must be recorded with a County Clerk's office in Arkansas before the officiant can perform the ceremony. Some counties provide a list of Justices of the Peace who perform ceremonies for a fee.

Arkansas Notes

Important state-specific details

License must be returned (used or unused) within 60 days to the issuing county - a $100 bond is executed against applicants if not returned.
No blood test required.
No residency requirement - non-residents may obtain an Arkansas marriage license.
No witnesses required in Arkansas.
Arkansas recognizes marriages performed by judges, justices of the peace, ordained ministers, and other authorized officiants. Minister credentials must be recorded with a County Clerk before performing the ceremony.
Covenant marriage option available - requires premarital counseling and has stricter divorce requirements.
Arkansas marriage records maintained by Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records Division from January 1917 onward.
Certified copies of marriage records: $10 from Arkansas Department of Health; $5 from some county clerks.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Arkansas Secretary of State (general info) - sos.arkansas.gov; Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records - healthy.arkansas.gov/vital-records | (501) 661-2336