Yes, you can get married at city hall in nearly every county in the United States. Getting married at city hall means two steps: applying for a marriage license at the county clerk’s or vital records office, then having a short civil ceremony performed by a judge, magistrate, justice of the peace, or authorized clerk. In roughly 30 states with no waiting period, both steps can happen the same day.
Who Can Marry at City Hall
The general minimum marriage age is 18 in every state, except Nebraska at 19 and Mississippi at 21. Most states allow younger applicants to marry with parental consent, a judge’s approval, or proof of emancipation, but the rules vary, so check locally if this applies to you.
Both partners must be legally free to marry. If either of you has been married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree, or a death certificate if a former spouse has died. Every state also prohibits marriages between close family members, with the exact scope varying by jurisdiction.
What to Bring to the Clerk’s Office
Both people need to appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification. A driver’s license, state ID, or passport works. Non-citizens can use a foreign passport with any applicable visa documentation. If you don’t have a photo ID, call the clerk’s office ahead of time and ask about alternatives.
Most jurisdictions also ask for:
- Your Social Security number
- Basic biographical information: date and place of birth, parents’ names, current address
- A birth certificate, in some counties
- A divorce decree or death certificate, if either of you was previously married
Gather everything before the visit. A missing document sends you home to try again.
The Marriage License
The license is what legally authorizes the ceremony. You apply at your county clerk’s office or vital records office, and both partners generally have to be present. The application itself is short: a form, your documents, and a fee.
Fees
Marriage license fees range from roughly $20 to $115 depending on where you apply. A handful of states cut the fee substantially if you complete a premarital education course. Florida reduces the fee by 37%, Oklahoma drops it from $25 to $5, and Minnesota offers a $50 discount for a 12-hour course covering communication and conflict resolution.1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. State Policies to Promote Marriage
Waiting Periods
About 18 states impose a mandatory wait between the day the license is issued and the day you can use it. Delaware, Illinois, and New York require 24 hours; Alaska requires three business days; Florida, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Texas require three calendar days.2Justia. Getting a Marriage License: 50-State Survey The rest have no waiting period, so you can apply and marry on the same day.
Expiration
Every license expires. In most states, you have 30 to 90 days to hold the ceremony, though a few states allow up to six months.2Justia. Getting a Marriage License: 50-State Survey Let it expire and you’ll have to apply and pay again.
Booking the Ceremony
Most clerk’s offices let you book a ceremony appointment online, by phone, or in person. Popular dates fill up, especially around holidays and long weekends. The ceremony fee is separate from the license fee and typically runs between $10 and $75, paid the day of.
Who Performs the Ceremony
The officiant is usually a judge, justice of the peace, magistrate, or county clerk authorized to solemnize marriages. The title varies; the legal effect is the same. If you would rather have a member of the clergy or an ordained minister officiate, most jurisdictions let you use the same marriage license for a ceremony elsewhere.
Witnesses
About half the states require one or two witnesses to attend and sign the marriage certificate. The rest require none. Where witnesses are required, they generally must be at least 18 and bring valid ID. Ask when you schedule, because showing up without a required witness means you can’t complete the ceremony that day.
What the Ceremony Looks Like
When you arrive, staff will verify your license and identification and direct you to the ceremony room. The ceremony is brief and focused on the legal essentials: the officiant asks you to exchange vows, pronounces you married, and has everyone sign the marriage certificate. Five to ten minutes is typical, though budget 30 minutes to an hour for check-in and any wait.
Rings are welcome but not required. You can write your own vows or use the officiant’s standard set. Some courthouses allow a small number of guests; others limit attendance to the couple and any required witnesses. Call ahead about guest limits and photography rules.
After You’re Married
Once the ceremony is over, the signed certificate goes back to the clerk’s office to be recorded. In most jurisdictions, the officiant files the paperwork. Recording is what puts your marriage in the public record.
Order certified copies right away. Certified copies typically cost $10 to $35 each, and you’ll need them for name changes, insurance updates, tax filings, and other legal purposes. Five or six copies at the outset saves the hassle of reordering when a bank or insurance company asks for an original.
Time-Sensitive Steps to Handle Next
Two things have real deadlines attached, so put them at the top of your list.
Health insurance. Marriage triggers a Special Enrollment Period, giving you 60 days from the ceremony to add your spouse to your plan, join your spouse’s plan, or shop the Health Insurance Marketplace.3U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Getting Health Coverage Outside Open Enrollment Miss the 60-day window and you’ll wait until the next Open Enrollment.
Name change. Marriage doesn’t automatically change anyone’s legal name. If you want your spouse’s surname or a hyphenated name, start with the Social Security Administration, because most other agencies want SSA records updated first. You’ll need a certified marriage certificate and photo ID. The replacement card is free and arrives in 5 to 10 business days.4Social Security Administration. Change Name With Social Security From there, work through your driver’s license, passport, bank accounts, employer, and insurance policies.
One tax note worth knowing now: if you’re married as of December 31, the IRS treats you as married for the entire tax year, and you’ll file as either married filing jointly or married filing separately.5Internal Revenue Service. Essential Tax Tips for Marriage Status Changes