How do I get a marriage license?

County Clerk (county level - each of Kentucky's 120 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Both parties visit any Kentucky County Clerk's office in person (license valid anywhere in the Commonwealth of Kentucky regardless of which county issued it)
Both parties present valid government-issued photo ID
Provide required information: full names, addresses, fathers' full names, mothers' full maiden names, Social Security numbers, and current marital status (single, divorced, widowed, annulled)
Pay the fee and receive license immediately - NO waiting period; can marry same day
Get married within 30 days - license expires 30 days from the date of issuance, including the date issued; if ceremony not performed, parties must reapply (no extensions or refunds)
Two witnesses required at the ceremony - signatures required on the marriage license
Officiant returns the completed, signed marriage license to the issuing County Clerk's office for recording

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid government-issued photo ID for both parties (driver's license from any state, passport, government-issued picture ID); non-U.S. citizens need original birth certificate and passport or government ID; EXPIRED ID NOT ACCEPTED
Social Security numbers for both parties
Both must know: father's full name and mother's full maiden name for each party
Current marital status information
If 17 years old: must present certified copy of a court order from a Family Court or District Court Judge granting permission to marry AND at least 15 days must have elapsed since the court order was granted before applying
No license issued if either party is under 17 years of age

Fee

$60 (as of June 27, 2025 - previously $50 in some counties; standardized statewide); includes one certified copy of the marriage certificate mailed after recording; cash, check (local county), and credit/debit cards (processing fee may apply) accepted; verify with your specific county

Waiting Period

None - can marry same day LICENSE VALIDITY: 30 days from date of issuance (including day issued); no extensions or refunds WITNESSES: 2 witnesses required at ceremony; their signatures required on the license

Online Option

No - both parties must appear in person together; no online pre-application in most counties

Where to Go

Any Kentucky County Clerk's office - license valid anywhere in the Commonwealth

County-specific variations apply

Kentucky's 120 county clerks each administer their own office with varying hours, payment methods, and minor procedural differences. Jefferson County (Louisville) $60 fee effective June 27, 2025. Most offices are open Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PM. Some counties have specific forms or pre-application requirements. Some larger counties (Jefferson, Fayette/Lexington) have dedicated marriage license departments. Verify specific county hours and any local requirements before visiting.

Kentucky Notes

Important state-specific details

No waiting period - can marry same day.
No blood test required.
No residency requirement - non-residents may marry in Kentucky; license valid anywhere in the Commonwealth.
Kentucky does NOT allow common law marriage or proxy marriages.
Two witnesses required at ceremony - different from many states where witnesses are optional.
Marriage certificate (certified copy): mailed automatically after officiant returns the signed license and it is recorded; additional certified copies available from the County Clerk for $5 in person or $5 by mail.
First cousins may NOT marry in Kentucky (unlike some states).
Authorized officiants: ministers or priests in regular communion with any religious society; judges, county judges/executive, justices of the peace; religious societies with no minister that solemnize marriages at their usual place of worship if either party belongs to the society.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics (for certified marriage record copies) - chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dehp/vsb | (800) 241-8322; County Clerk (varies by county)