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How do I get a marriage license?

County Clerk (county level - each of New Mexico's 33 counties)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Both applicants must appear in person together at any New Mexico county Clerk's office; no appointment usually required; process takes approximately 30 minutes
  2. Exception: if one applicant cannot appear, a District Court judge may authorize the license
  3. Complete the Marriage Application Information Form at the county Clerk's office; some counties offer online pre-application
  4. Present required ID; pay $55 fee (effective June 20, 2025 per Senate Bill 290 signed by Governor)
  5. License issued immediately - NO waiting period; can marry same day
  6. License does NOT expire once issued; clerks recommend using it promptly
  7. At least 2 competent witnesses must attend the ceremony and sign the marriage license
  8. Signed license MUST be returned to the issuing county Clerk's office within 90 DAYS of the ceremony
  9. Certified copies of the marriage certificate available from the county Clerk after recording
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Valid government-issued photo ID with name and date of birth for both applicants (driver's license, passport, state ID, military ID, student ID); names on ID must match all forms; documents must be ORIGINAL (no laminated documents)
  • Social Security numbers for both applicants
  • If previously divorced: no decree required; can remarry anytime after divorce is finalized
  • If widowed: no death certificate required
  • Ages 16-17: both parents (if living) must sign consent form in person or notarized; if one parent deceased, certified death certificate; if parent unavailable/unwilling: court order; also requires certified birth certificate for the minor
  • Under 16: District Court order required, no exceptions
Fee
$55 statewide (effective June 20, 2025; raised from $25 by SB 290); small credit card processing fee at many counties; cash always accepted; verify with your county
Waiting Period
NONE - license effective immediately LICENSE VALIDITY: NO EXPIRATION WITNESSES: 2 competent witnesses required at ceremony and must sign license RETURN DEADLINE: 90 DAYS after ceremony to return signed license to issuing county Clerk
Online Option
Some counties (Bernalillo/Albuquerque) offer online pre-application; most require in-person completion
Where to Go
Any New Mexico county Clerk's office (no residency or ceremony-county restriction)
County-specific variations apply

NM's 33 county Clerks each have their own office. Bernalillo County (Albuquerque) is largest; online application available at berncoclerk.gov. Santa Fe County, Doña Ana County (Las Cruces), Sandoval County, and Valencia County are the next largest. Very rural counties (Harding, De Baca, Catron, Guadalupe, Sierra, Union, etc.) have part-time or very limited hours - always call ahead. Payment methods vary; some smaller counties are cash-only.

New Mexico Notes

Important state-specific details

  • No waiting period; no blood test; no residency requirement.
  • License does NOT expire - unusual nationally.
  • Fee raised to $55 effective June 20, 2025 (from $25).
  • 2 witnesses required.
  • Signed license must be returned within 90 days of ceremony.
  • No divorce decree or death certificate required for previously married applicants.
  • Marriage records after filing available from the county Clerk or NMDOH Vital Records.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
County Clerk (varies); NMDOH Vital Records (after recording) - nmhealth.org/about/erd/bvrhs/vrp/ | (505) 827-0121