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Oklahoma · How-To Guide

How do I get a marriage license?

County Court Clerk (county level - each of Oklahoma's 77 counties)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Both parties appear in person together at any Oklahoma county Court Clerk's office; arrive well before the office's closing time (many offices stop issuing licenses at 3:30 PM or 4 PM); appointments may be recommended at busier offices - call ahead
  2. Complete the marriage license application
  3. Pay the fee ($50 or $5 with premarital counseling certificate - see below)
  4. License issued immediately - NO waiting period for adults 18+
  5. License is valid for 10 DAYS from the date of issuance - one of the shortest validity windows nationally; ceremony must take place within 10 days; if expired, must reapply
  6. Two witnesses must attend the ceremony and sign the marriage license
  7. The signed, completed marriage license MUST be returned to the COUNTY COURT CLERK WHERE IT WAS ISSUED within 30 DAYS of the date of issuance for official recording; licenses not returned within 30 days will be incomplete records, and certified copies of the Certificate of Marriage will NOT be available for future use - this is a critical step often overlooked
  8. PREMARITAL COUNSELING FEE REDUCTION: Oklahoma uniquely offers a major fee reduction if couples complete at least 4 hours of premarital counseling:
  9. - Standard fee: $50.00
  10. - Reduced fee with counseling: $5.00
  11. - Counseling must be completed within the last 6 months; must present an ORIGINAL (not a copy, fax, or email) certificate or letter from the counseling provider on letterhead with original signature confirming names, completion, and 4+ hours
  12. - Counseling must comply with 43 O.S. 5.1
  13. WAITING PERIOD:
  14. - Ages 18+: NO waiting period
  15. - Ages 16-17 (under 18): 72-HOUR waiting period; exception: written waiver signed by a judge
  16. - Oklahoma strongly discourages marriages under 18; contact court clerk for exact requirements for minors
  17. DIVORCE RESTRICTION: Persons divorced in Oklahoma may NOT remarry anyone OTHER than their previous spouse for SIX MONTHS after the divorce decree is filed; important restriction
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants (not expired; driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID); foreign nationals must present translated birth certificate in addition
  • Social Security numbers for both applicants
  • If previously divorced: certified copy of divorce decree required
  • If previously widowed: certified copy of death certificate required
  • Both must be at least 16 (under 16: no marriage permitted in Oklahoma); parental/guardian consent required for 16-17; parent or guardian must be present at application
Fee
$50.00 - Reduced fee with counseling: $5.00 - Counseling must be completed within the last 6 months; must present an ORIGINAL (not a copy, fax, or email) certificate or letter from the counseling provider on letterhead with original signature confirming names, completion, and 4+ hours - Counseling must comply with 43 O.S. 5.1
Waiting Period
- Ages 18+: NO waiting period - Ages 16-17 (under 18): 72-HOUR waiting period; exception: written waiver signed by a judge - Oklahoma strongly discourages marriages under 18; contact court clerk for exact requirements for minors
Online Option
No statewide online application; must appear in person; some counties may have downloadable forms
Where to Go
County Court Clerk's office (NOT the County Clerk or any other office - it is the COURT CLERK; in Oklahoma these are different officials)
County-specific variations apply

Oklahoma County (Oklahoma City), Tulsa County, Cleveland County (Norman), Canadian County (Mustang/El Reno), and Comanche County (Lawton) are the largest. Tulsa County has satellite offices. Payment methods vary - many rural Oklahoma counties are CASH ONLY; others accept credit/debit cards (some with processing fees). Hours typically 8 AM-4:30 PM Mon-Fri; arrive well before closing. Officiant registration: ministers performing ceremonies in Oklahoma must record their credentials with the Court Clerk's office (in any county - registration valid statewide; no fee); foreign-ordained ministers must file credentials before the ceremony. Oklahoma has no Justice of the Peace.

Oklahoma Notes

Important state-specific details

  • 10-DAY license validity - extremely short; must plan ceremony within 10 days of obtaining license.
  • $5 fee with premarital counseling certificate - significant savings incentive unique to Oklahoma.
  • Must return license within 30 days for recording - failure means no certified copies ever available.
  • 6-month divorce restriction before remarrying others in Oklahoma.
  • 72-hour waiting period for minors (16-17).
  • Common law marriage: Oklahoma RECOGNIZES common law marriage established in Oklahoma; couples who live together with intent to be married and present themselves publicly as married may have established a common law marriage.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Oklahoma State Department of Health (birth/death/divorce - not marriage copies); County Court Clerk (varies by county); Oklahoma State Courts Network (statute reference) - oscn.net