How do I get a marriage license?

District Court Clerk (county level - each of Kansas's 105 counties, via online statewide system)

Step by Step

How to do it

APPLY ONLINE at the Kansas Courts marriage license portal (kscourts.org - search "marriage license") - both parties complete the application electronically; you will need valid email addresses, specific details for each person, and a way to pay online
Pay the fee online by credit card, debit card, or electronic check
MANDATORY 3-DAY WAITING PERIOD after application before the license is issued; the 3-day count includes Sundays, holidays, and days when offices are closed; allow up to two weeks from application to receive license
Apply Monday → issued Thursday
Apply Tuesday → issued Friday
Apply Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday → issued the following Monday
License is emailed/issued electronically after the waiting period; some judicial districts may handle differently - check your county's district court
3-day waiting period may be WAIVED by a district court judge for emergency or extraordinary circumstances; apply for waiver online; small additional fee
License valid for 6 months from date of issuance - must get married within 6 months
Give the official license to your officiant before the ceremony; officiant must be authorized under Kansas law and two witnesses must be present; officiant returns the completed license to the county for recording
Wait at least 2 weeks after the ceremony before requesting a certified copy of the marriage certificate

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid government-issued photo ID for both parties
Social Security numbers for both parties
Email address and internet access for the online application
If 16 or 17 years old: requires parental consent AND judicial approval from a district court judge (under Kansas law effective 2019); must file with the court separately
Minimum age is 18 without consent; 16-17 with parental consent and judicial approval; no one under 16 may marry in Kansas

Fee

$85.50 (set by statute); plus $2.14 processing fee for credit/debit card, $1.25 for electronic check; fee may be subject to change by the Kansas Legislature

Waiting Period

3 calendar days after application (includes Sundays and holidays); license typically issued on the 4th calendar day; waiver available from district court judge for emergency/extraordinary circumstances LICENSE VALIDITY: 6 months from date of issuance WITNESSES: 2 witnesses required at ceremony ONLINE SYSTEM: Required in most judicial districts - kscourts.org; some judicial districts may still have in-person options; verify with your county's district court WHERE TO GO: Kansas Courts online marriage license system (kscourts.org); District Court in your county for questions or waivers

Where to Go

Kansas Courts online marriage license system (kscourts.org); District Court in your county for questions or waivers

County-specific variations apply

Kansas's 31 judicial districts handle specific procedures differently. Some counties (Sedgwick/Wichita) have offered special hours and occasional in-person processing. Shawnee County (Topeka) has historically required appointments and certified birth certificates. Johnson County (Olathe) requires both parties to appear in person for certain procedures. Verify with your specific county's district court for any local requirements beyond the statewide online system.

Kansas Notes

Important state-specific details

Kansas has moved to a PRIMARILY ONLINE marriage license system - the clerks' offices are no longer the primary point of contact in most districts.
3-day waiting period includes Sundays and holidays - may actually result in a 4-5 day wait in practice if applied mid-week.
Certified copy of marriage certificate: available from KDHE Office of Vital Statistics at least 2 weeks after the ceremony - NOT from the District Court; fee applies.
No blood test required.
No residency requirement - non-residents may marry in Kansas.
Two witnesses required at the ceremony (unlike some states where none are required).

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

KDHE Office of Vital Statistics (for certified marriage certificate copies) - kdhe.ks.gov/1165/Office-of-Vital-Statistics | (785) 296-1400; Kansas Courts (marriage license online system) - kscourts.org