How do I get a marriage license?

County Recorder or Clerk of District Court (county level - each of North Dakota's 53 counties; which office varies by county)

Step by Step

How to do it

Both parties must appear together in person at the appropriate county office (recorder or district court clerk); no appointment usually required; typical hours Mon-Fri; arrive well before closing
Complete the marriage license application; present required ID and information for both parties
Pay the $65 fee; license issued immediately - NO waiting period; can marry same day
License valid for 60 days from date of issuance; must be used within ND; if expired, must reapply and pay again (no refunds on expired licenses)
Two witnesses must attend the ceremony and sign the marriage certificate
Officiant must return the completed marriage license to the issuing office for recording after the ceremony
Certified copy of marriage certificate: available from the issuing county recorder/clerk; fees vary by county ($5-$20); IMPORTANT: As of January 1, 2008, the ND Department of Health no longer issues certified copies of marriage certificates - contact the COUNTY where the marriage license was issued

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid government-issued photo ID proving age and identity (driver's license, passport, military ID, or certified copy of birth certificate) for both parties
Social Security numbers for both parties (SSN card preferred but not always required; know your number)
Both parties must be 18 or older; ages 16-17: written consent required from one or both parents or legal guardian (ND law varies; the parent or guardian must be present or provide notarized consent; contact your county for specific requirements); under 16: no marriage permitted
If previously married and divorced: certified copy of divorce decree required; will be permanently filed with the marriage license application
If previously married and widowed: certified copy of death certificate may be required

Fee

$65 statewide (standard); some counties may vary slightly; certified copy of marriage certificate: $5-$20 at county level (state office no longer issues); civil ceremony at licensing office: ~$30 additional

Waiting Period

NONE - license effective immediately LICENSE VALIDITY: 60 days from date of issuance WITNESSES: 2 witnesses required at ceremony and must sign CERTIFIED COPIES: From issuing county (NOT from ND Department of Health - they stopped issuing in 2008)

Online Option

No statewide online application; must appear in person

Where to Go

County Recorder (most counties) or Clerk of District Court (some counties) - verify with your specific county

County-specific variations apply

Cass County (Fargo) is the largest and most resourced; Grand Forks County, Burleigh County (Bismarck), Ward County (Minot), Williams County (Williston), and Stark County (Dickinson) are other larger counties. Most rural ND counties have the County Recorder handling marriage licenses during regular business hours only. Some counties accept credit/debit cards with a fee; others are cash or check only.

North Dakota Notes

Important state-specific details

No waiting period; no blood test; no residency requirement (if ND resident applies at any county).
60-day validity - if expired, must reapply.
2 witnesses required.
CERTIFIED COPIES: County Recorder or District Court Clerk only - do NOT contact ND DOH (state stopped issuing in 2008).
Older marriage records (pre-1925): State Archives (SHSND) may hold records; records from 1925+ are with the ND Department of Health Vital Records Division (historical statistical purposes only - not for certified copies).
Common law marriage: NOT recognized in North Dakota.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

ND Health and Human Services, Vital Records (birth/death only) - hhs.nd.gov/vital | (701) 328-2360; County Recorder or District Court Clerk (varies by county - call to confirm which office handles marriage licenses)