A civil marriage ceremony is a legally recognized wedding performed by a government-authorized officiant rather than by clergy. It creates the same legal union as a religious wedding — the rights to shared property, inheritance, and spousal benefits — but the ceremony itself is usually short, focused on the paperwork, and open to any couple regardless of faith. Most take place in a courthouse or city hall, though many officiants will travel to another location for a fee.
Civil vs. Religious Ceremonies
The difference is who performs the wedding and what it is meant to accomplish. A civil ceremony is conducted by a government official and exists to create a legal marriage. A religious ceremony is led by clergy and centers on spiritual commitment. Many religious officiants are also state-authorized to perform legally valid marriages, so one ceremony can serve both purposes. Some couples hold a civil ceremony for the legal paperwork and a separate religious ceremony later. Only the legally recognized ceremony establishes marital status.
Getting a Marriage License
Every civil marriage starts with a marriage license, a document issued by a public authority giving you permission to marry. You apply at a county clerk’s office or city hall in the jurisdiction where you plan to hold the ceremony. Requirements vary by state, but most offices ask for valid government-issued photo ID, a completed application, and a fee.1Legal Information Institute. Marriage License
License fees run roughly $20 to over $100 depending on the jurisdiction. Some counties reduce the fee for couples who complete a premarital education course. If a judge or clerk performs the ceremony itself, expect an additional fee in the range of $25 to $35.
Age Requirements
The general marriage age is 18 in every state except Nebraska, where it is 19, and Mississippi, where it is 21. Thirteen states set 18 as an absolute minimum. The remaining states allow exceptions, often down to 15 or 16, with parental consent or court approval.2Congress.gov. S.4990 – Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2024 There is no uniform federal minimum.
Prior Marriages
If either person was married before, the clerk needs to see that the earlier marriage ended. Most jurisdictions ask for a divorce decree or death certificate, especially if the prior marriage ended recently. Even where written proof is not strictly required, you will usually have to supply the date the previous marriage was dissolved.
Waiting Periods and When the License Expires
Roughly a third of states impose a waiting period between the day the license is issued and the day you can hold the ceremony. These typically run from 24 hours to three business days. Some states waive the wait for out-of-state residents or for couples who complete premarital counseling.3Justia Law. Getting a Marriage License: 50-State Survey Many states have no waiting period, allowing a same-day ceremony.
Licenses also expire. The validity window varies: some states give you 30 days, many allow 60, and a few, including Arizona, Nebraska, and Nevada, give you a full year.3Justia Law. Getting a Marriage License: 50-State Survey If the license expires before the ceremony, you will have to apply and pay again. Check both numbers in your jurisdiction before you set a date.
Who Can Officiate
The list of authorized officiants varies by state but commonly includes judges, magistrates, justices of the peace, mayors, and county clerks. Many states also authorize active or retired members of the judiciary.
Online-ordained ministers are a gray area. Most states recognize marriages performed by ministers ordained online, and couples have used them successfully in all 50 states. Recognition can vary at the county level, however, and a handful of states and counties have challenged the validity of online ordinations. If you are planning to use one, call the local clerk’s office first.
A small number of jurisdictions, including Colorado, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, allow self-solemnizing marriages, where the couple legally marries without any officiant. These are the exception.
What Happens During the Ceremony
A civil ceremony is short, often 10 to 15 minutes. The officiant confirms the couple’s identities, asks each person to declare their intent to marry, oversees an exchange of vows, and pronounces the couple married. Most jurisdictions do not require a specific script, so you can personalize the vows or keep things minimal. The ceremony’s setting does not affect its legal validity as long as the officiant is authorized and the license is properly signed.
Witnesses
About half of U.S. states require witnesses, and this catches many couples off guard. Where witnesses are required, the usual rule is one or two adults who sign the license along with the couple and officiant. New York and California require one witness; Michigan, Wisconsin, and Texas require two. The rest of the states have no witness requirement. If your state requires witnesses and you arrive without them, the officiant may not be able to complete the paperwork. Confirm the rule with the clerk’s office before the day.
Filing the License After the Ceremony
Once the ceremony is done, the signed license has to go back to the issuing office for recording. This is normally the officiant’s job, and most jurisdictions give a deadline of a few days to a few weeks. Until the license is filed, the marriage is not formally registered.
After recording, the clerk’s office issues a marriage certificate. The license is permission to marry, obtained beforehand; the certificate is proof you are married, issued afterward. The certificate never expires, and it is the document you will use for name changes, insurance enrollment, immigration applications, and spousal benefits.
Federal Recognition
Under the Respect for Marriage Act, signed into law in 2022, the federal government recognizes any marriage between two individuals that is valid under state law. The law also bars states from refusing to recognize a marriage performed in another state based on the sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin of the couple.4Congress.gov. H.R.8404 – Respect for Marriage Act A civil marriage performed in any state carries legal weight nationwide for federal taxes, Social Security, and immigration.
Updating Your Records
Marriage triggers a few federal updates that are easy to miss.
Taxes
Your tax filing status is based on your marital status on the last day of the tax year. Marry at any point during the year and you file as either married filing jointly or married filing separately for that entire year.5Internal Revenue Service. Filing Status Joint filing usually produces a lower combined tax bill, but filing separately can make sense when, for example, one spouse has significant medical expenses or income-driven student loan payments.
Update your Form W-4 with your employer as well. The IRS recommends submitting a new W-4 when marital status changes so that the right amount of tax is withheld for the rest of the year.6Internal Revenue Service. Form W-4 (2026) Skip this and you may owe a lump sum at tax time or have too much withheld.
Social Security and Name Changes
If either spouse is changing their name, the Social Security Administration is the first stop. Your SSA record has to match your new legal name before you can update your driver’s license, passport, or other identification. File Form SS-5 along with an original or certified copy of your marriage certificate and proof of identity. A new Social Security card usually arrives within 10 to 14 business days, and the SSA notifies the IRS of the name change for you.