Marriage license · Massachusetts
How to Get a Marriage License in Massachusetts
Everything Massachusetts couples need — fee, waiting period, ID requirements, where to apply, how long the license stays valid, and what happens after the wedding.
At a glance
| License fee | $25–$50 (varies by city) |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 3 days (waivable by court order) |
| License valid for | 60 days |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| ID required | Photo ID |
| Blood test | No |
| Witnesses | None |
| Apply online | No — in person only |
| Where to apply | Any city or town clerk |
Step-by-step
- Decide where to apply. In Massachusetts, you apply at any city or town clerk.
- Gather your documents. Bring photo id for both partners.
- Apply in person. Most Massachusetts offices charge $25–$50 (varies by city) per license.
- Wait the required 3 days (waivable by court order). You can't use the license until this period passes.
- Use the license within 60 days. After it expires you'll need to apply (and pay) again.
- Have it signed. No witnesses are required at the ceremony.
- Return the signed license. Your officiant files it with the issuing office; you'll receive a certified marriage certificate within a few weeks.
When should you apply in Massachusetts?
The two dates that matter are the waiting period and the expiration. A Massachusetts license is good for 60 days and can't be used until 3 days (waivable by court order) after it's issued. Working backwards from your wedding day:
| Timing | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2–3 months out | Confirm the office hours and appointment rules for any city or town clerk. Check whether your officiant must be registered in Massachusetts. |
| Earliest you can apply | 60 days before the ceremony (any earlier and it expires). |
| Sweet spot | 2–4 weeks before the wedding — clears the 3 days (waivable by court order) wait with room for a reissue if something is wrong. |
| Wedding week | Risky — a 3 days (waivable by court order) wait plus office closures can leave you without a valid license. |
| After the ceremony | Officiant files the license; order 2–3 certified copies for name changes. |
What it actually costs to get legally married in Massachusetts
The license is only part of the legal cost. Here's the realistic total for a Massachusetts couple doing the paperwork properly:
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $25–$50 (varies by city) |
| Certified copies of the certificate (order 2–3) | $10–$25 each |
| Courthouse or civil ceremony fee | $25–$100 |
| Independent officiant (if you hire one) | $200–$800 |
| Name change filing (Social Security is free; state ID/passport are not) | $0–$190 |
Everything else — venue, catering, photography — sits outside the legal paperwork. See average wedding costs by city for what the celebration itself runs.
After the wedding: certificates and name changes in Massachusetts
- Confirm the license was filed. Call the issuing office 2–3 weeks after the wedding if you haven't received anything.
- Order certified copies. Photocopies aren't accepted for name changes — you need certified copies with the raised seal or official stamp. Two or three is the practical number.
- Social Security first. File Form SS-5 with a certified certificate. It's free, and every other agency checks against it.
- Massachusetts driver's license or state ID next. Most states require you to update within 30 days of the Social Security change.
- Passport, banks, employer, insurance, voter registration. Passport renewal is free within one year of issuance, otherwise $130–$190.
Mistakes Massachusetts couples make
- Applying too early. A Massachusetts license expires after 60 days. Apply outside that window and you pay twice.
- Forgetting the 3 days (waivable by court order) wait. A license issued the day before the wedding may not be legally usable.
- Assuming you can apply online. Massachusetts requires an in-person visit, and many offices need both partners present.
- Names that don't match. The name on your license must match your ID exactly — nicknames and missing middle names cause reissues.
- An unregistered officiant. Confirm your officiant is authorized to solemnize marriages in Massachusetts before booking.
- Ordering only one certified copy. Agencies keep them; you'll be reordering for weeks.
Important notes for Massachusetts
After applying, you must wait 3 days before the license is issued.
Wedding costs in Massachusetts
Once the paperwork is handled, here's what weddings actually cost in Massachusetts metros:
- Average wedding cost in Boston — $52,000 average, $220 per guest
Common questions specific to Massachusetts
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a marriage license cost in Massachusetts?
- In Massachusetts the marriage license fee is $25–$50 (varies by city). Budget another $10–$25 per certified copy of the marriage certificate afterwards.
- Is there a waiting period for a marriage license in Massachusetts?
- Yes — Massachusetts requires a 3 days (waivable by court order) waiting period after the license is issued before it can be used.
- How long is a Massachusetts marriage license valid?
- A Massachusetts marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
- Can you apply for a marriage license online in Massachusetts?
- No — Massachusetts requires both applicants to apply in person.
- Do you need witnesses to get married in Massachusetts?
- No — Massachusetts does not require witnesses at the ceremony.
- Do you need a blood test to get married in Massachusetts?
- No — Massachusetts does not require a blood test. No US state has required one since 2019.
- Can out-of-state couples get married in Massachusetts?
- Yes. Massachusetts issues marriage licenses to non-residents, and the marriage is recognized in all 50 states. Apply at any city or town clerk and allow for the 3 days (waivable by court order) waiting period.
- What's the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate?
- The license is the permission you get before the wedding — in Massachusetts it costs $25–$50 (varies by city) and is valid for 60 days. The certificate is the proof issued after the signed license is filed, and it's what you use for name changes.
- How many certified copies of the marriage certificate should you order in Massachusetts?
- Two or three. Social Security, the Massachusetts DMV, and passport services each want to see a certified copy, and some agencies keep them.
Marriage license guides for other states