A marriage license in the United States generally costs between $20 and $115, with most couples paying around $50 to $60. The price is set by the county where you file, so two clerks an hour apart can charge very different amounts. On top of the license fee itself, plan for a few small extras: certified copies of the marriage certificate, a card-processing surcharge at some offices, and possibly a courthouse ceremony fee if you’re marrying there.
What Sets the Price
Counties, not states, set marriage license fees, which is why the national range is so wide. At the low end, some counties charge around $20. At the high end, a few charge over $100, with Minnesota topping the list at $115. Colorado, Idaho, and Mississippi tend to sit at the cheaper end. Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Nevada lean expensive. If you live near a county or state line, it’s worth checking a neighboring jurisdiction, because you don’t always have to file where you live.
Out-of-state applicants sometimes pay more. Indiana, for instance, charges significantly more for non-residents than for residents. If you’re traveling to marry, ask the clerk’s office about resident and non-resident rates before you go.
How you pay can also nudge the total. Most clerks take cash, credit cards, and money orders, but paying by card often adds a convenience fee of roughly 2% to 3%. A few offices still accept only cash or checks, so call ahead. That single phone call also confirms the current fee, which the office’s website may not always show accurately.
How to Pay Less With a Premarital Education Course
Several states knock money off the license fee if both applicants complete an approved premarital education or counseling course before applying. The discount typically runs from $25 to $60, depending on the state, and in some places the same course also waives the mandatory waiting period between issuance and ceremony.
Courses generally run four to eight hours and cover communication, conflict resolution, and financial planning. They may be offered in person, online, or through a religious institution. Not every provider qualifies for the discount, so ask your county clerk for a list of approved courses before you enroll. Otherwise you’ll do the work and still pay full price.
Certified Copies and Other Add-On Costs
The license fee isn’t the last check you’ll write. After the marriage is recorded, you’ll want certified copies of the marriage certificate to change your name on a driver’s license, update Social Security records, add a spouse to insurance, or update bank accounts.1USAGov. How to Get a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate Two to four copies is a reasonable starting point for most couples.
Certified copies usually run $2 to $25 each, depending on the jurisdiction. Some counties add fees for expedited processing or mailing. Ordering copies at the time of recording is almost always cheaper than coming back later, since many offices charge a separate search fee for after-the-fact requests. If you need copies years later, you’ll order them from the vital records office in the state where the marriage was recorded.
A few other charges are worth budgeting for:
- A courthouse ceremony performed by a judge or clerk, if you want one, usually costs an extra $25 to $75.
- Correcting an error on a filed license, such as a misspelled name, carries a small amendment fee.
- Card-processing surcharges of 2% to 3% apply at many offices, as noted above.
Federal law also requires every state to collect Social Security numbers on marriage license applications for child support enforcement purposes.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 666 – Requirement of Statutorily Prescribed Procedures to Improve Effectiveness of Child Support Enforcement That doesn’t affect the price, but it’s worth knowing before you show up.
When You Might End Up Paying Twice
The cost of a marriage license is a one-time fee, but only if you use the license in time. Most licenses expire within 30 to 90 days, though some states allow up to six months or a year. If the ceremony doesn’t happen before the expiration date, the license becomes void and you have to apply again, fee included. The expiration date is printed on the license itself.
Waiting periods can also affect your timeline and, indirectly, your budget. Roughly a third of states impose a waiting period of 24 to 72 hours between issuance and the earliest valid ceremony date. Completing an approved premarital course waives that waiting period in some states, which stacks with the fee discount described earlier.
A Realistic Total
For a typical couple, the all-in cost of getting legally married looks like this: the license fee itself ($20 to $115, most often around $50 to $60), a card surcharge if you’re not paying cash, a handful of certified copies at a few dollars each, and, if you’re marrying at the courthouse, another $25 to $75 for the ceremony. A premarital education course can shave $25 to $60 off the license fee in states that offer the discount. Call the specific county clerk’s office where you plan to file for exact current numbers, because the fee schedule is local and it changes.