How do I get a marriage license?

Step by Step

How to do it

Contact your chosen city/town clerk to confirm hours and any appointment requirements (popular destination towns like Bar Harbor-equivalent Cape Cod towns can be busy in summer)
BOTH parties must appear together in person to file the Notice of Intention of Marriage; allow about 20-30 minutes
Both parties provide required information and sign the Intention paperwork; both must present valid ID
Pay the fee
MANDATORY 3-DAY WAITING PERIOD: Three full days must pass from the date of application before the license can be PICKED UP (the day of application does NOT count; Sundays and holidays DO count); e.g., file Tuesday → pick up Friday
The license (or a designated person named in writing by the couple) must be PICKED UP IN PERSON at the clerk's office - it cannot be mailed before the ceremony
License is valid for 60 days from the date of application; must get married within 60 days
Officiant signs the license after the ceremony and returns it to the issuing city/town clerk (typically within 3-10 days depending on the municipality)
WAITING PERIOD WAIVER: Can be waived by probate court or district court order for certain circumstances (military, serious illness, incarceration); clerk provides the waiver form; court hearing required; waiver fee approximately $195 at some courts; call clerk and then court before assuming waiver is available

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid government-issued photo ID for both parties (driver's license, passport, state ID)
Social Security numbers for both parties
Parents' full names and places of birth for each party
Marital status; if divorced: must be legally divorced (Massachusetts divorce not final for 90 days after judgment - must be past the 90-day period)
Both must be 18 or older - Massachusetts banned child marriage effective October 26, 2022; NO exceptions for under 18

Fee

Varies by municipality - typically $20-$50 (some towns: $20; some cities: $40-$50); Waltham: $20; Lynnfield: $40; Chatham: $30; check your specific city/town clerk; some fees include one certified copy of the marriage certificate

Waiting Period

Three full days must pass from the date of application before the license can be PICKED UP (the day of application does NOT count; Sundays and holidays DO count); e.g., file Tuesday → pick up Friday Step 6 - The license (or a designated person named in writing by the couple) must be PICKED UP IN PERSON at the clerk's office - it cannot be mailed before the ceremony Step 7 - License is valid for 60 days from the date of application; must get married within 60 days Step 8 - Officiant signs the license after the ceremony and returns it to the issuing city/town clerk (typically within 3-10 days depending on the municipality)

Online Option

No in-person requirement waiver; some clerks have downloadable intention forms to prepare in advance; no statewide online application

Where to Go

Any Massachusetts city or town clerk's office (no residency or ceremony-county restriction)

Massachusetts Notes

Important state-specific details

License valid anywhere in Massachusetts; records kept permanently at issuing city/town clerk.
Massachusetts banned child marriage in October 2022 - absolute minimum age 18; no exceptions.
60-day validity; if marriage doesn't occur within 60 days, must refile.
No blood test required.
No witnesses required by law (though ceremony traditions vary).
Non-clergy officiants need a 1-day Marriage Designation from Secretary of State - apply online at sec.state.ma.us well in advance.
Certified copy of marriage certificate: available from the city/town clerk where intentions were filed; typical fee $10-$15; also available from RVRS in Dorchester (state office) for marriages 1936+.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) - mass.gov/rvrs | (617) 740-2600 | 150 Mount Vernon St., Dorchester, MA 02125; Secretary of State, Elections/1-Day Designation - sec.state.ma.us