Marriage License & Legal Requirements 2025

A marriage license is the legal permit required before marriage (obtained from government before ceremony), while a marriage certificate is proof of marriage issued afterward. In the United States, couples apply at the county clerk's office 30-90 days before the wedding. In the United Kingdom, couples give notice at their local register office 29 days minimum before ceremony. Australia requires a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) submitted 1-18 months before marriage through a registered celebrant. Canada processes applications through provincial vital statistics offices with 0-6 day waiting periods depending on province.¹

Beyond the ceremony itself, getting legally married requires navigating government paperwork, fees, and waiting periods that vary dramatically by country and region. These legal requirements should be part of your pre-wedding planning checklist. This guide covers the legal requirements couples need to complete in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada to ensure their wedding is legally recognized.

Quick Reference: Marriage Requirements by Country

United States Marriage License Requirements

Obtaining a marriage license in the United States requires both partners to appear in person at the county clerk's office where the ceremony will occur, typically 1-90 days before the wedding date depending on state law. License fees range from $20 in states like Montana and Minnesota to $115 in Tennessee (Knox County), with most counties charging $50-$75.² The license remains valid for 30-90 days after issuance, after which couples must reapply and pay fees again if unused.

Where to Apply

Marriage licenses are issued at the county level, not federally or by state. Couples must apply at the county clerk's office (sometimes called "recorder's office" or "register of deeds") in the county where the wedding ceremony will take place. Some counties allow online pre-applications to reduce in-person processing time, but both partners typically must appear together to sign documents and show identification.

If marrying in a different state from where you live, you apply in the ceremony location county, not your home county. For example, couples living in New York but getting married in California must obtain a California marriage license from the specific California county where their venue is located.

Required Documents

All states require government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Many states also require proof of age (typically birth certificate) if applicants appear under 25 years old. Divorced applicants usually must provide divorce decree documents showing the date the previous marriage was legally dissolved. Widowed applicants may need to present a death certificate of the former spouse.

Some states require both partners' Social Security numbers, though exceptions exist for foreign nationals. Recent passport-style photos are occasionally requested. Parental consent forms and court orders are mandatory for applicants under 18 (though most states now prohibit marriage under 18 entirely).

Waiting Periods and Validity

Twenty-six U.S. states impose no waiting period, allowing couples to marry immediately after receiving the license. Other states mandate waiting periods ranging from 1 day (Delaware, Illinois, South Carolina) to 6 days (Wisconsin). Three-day waiting periods are common in states like Florida, Iowa, Kansas, and Massachusetts.³

The validity window (time between license issuance and when it expires) varies significantly. Most states allow 30-60 days for couples to complete their ceremony. Florida and Virginia extend this to 60 days, while Nevada licenses never expire. Connecticut and South Carolina give couples 65 days. Some states like Montana limit validity to just 30 days, creating tight timelines for destination weddings.

Blood Tests and Health Requirements

Only one U.S. state (Montana) still requires premarital blood tests in specific counties, and even these can be waived. All other states eliminated this requirement between 1980-2007. Historical blood test requirements screened for syphilis and rubella, but public health officials determined they were not cost-effective for disease prevention.⁴

Special State Considerations

For comprehensive state-specific requirements, see our detailed US marriage license guide.

United Kingdom Marriage Notice Requirements

In England and Wales, couples must give formal notice of intention to marry at their local register office at least 29 days before the ceremony, a legal waiting period that allows time for objections. Each partner pays £35 to give notice individually, and the notice is publicly displayed for 28 full days before the marriage can legally occur.⁵ Couples marrying in register offices pay an additional £56 ceremony fee, while approved venues (hotels, country houses) charge separate location fees averaging £500-£3,000.

The Notice Period Process

Both partners must attend separate notice appointments at their local register office in the district where they have lived for at least seven full days before giving notice. If partners live in different districts, they each give notice at their respective local offices. The notice is valid for 12 months from the date of giving notice, providing flexibility for couples planning weddings 1-11 months away.

During the appointment (approximately 30 minutes per person), registrars verify identity documents, residence status, and marital history. They also confirm details about the planned ceremony including venue, date, and whether it will be civil or religious. Both partners must answer questions about their marriage history, nationality, and immigration status under oath.

For non-UK nationals, the notice period extends to 70 days to allow the Home Office additional time to investigate potential immigration fraud. This extended period applies to anyone subject to UK immigration control or who holds non-UK/non-Irish passports.⁶

Required Documents

Non-UK nationals need to present passports, visa documents showing immigration status, and potentially entry clearance stamps. Both partners need to know their fathers' full names and occupations (if known) for the marriage register.

Scotland and Northern Ireland Variations

Scotland: Couples submit a Marriage Notice Form to the district registrar where the ceremony will occur at least 29 days before marriage. The fee is £30 per person. Unlike England and Wales, both partners need not appear in person and can submit forms by mail.⁷

Northern Ireland: Similar 14-day minimum notice period with both partners attending the register office where the ceremony will occur. Fees are approximately £35 per person.⁸

For detailed UK-specific requirements, including religious ceremony procedures, see our UK marriage notice guide.

Australia NOIM Requirements

Australian couples must complete a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) and submit it to their chosen marriage celebrant no earlier than 18 months before the wedding and no later than one calendar month before the ceremony date. The celebrant reviews identity documents, witnesses the NOIM signatures, and files the paperwork, with all administrative costs included in the celebrant's fee (averaging $874-$1,031 AUD in 2025).⁹ No separate government application fee exists beyond what couples pay their celebrant for marriage services.

How NOIM Works

The NOIM is a standardized form provided by the Australian Attorney-General's Department that declares the couple's intention to marry and confirms they are legally eligible. Couples can download the NOIM from the Attorney-General's website or obtain it from their celebrant. The form requires both partners' full legal names, dates and places of birth, current addresses, occupations, parents' names, and details about any previous marriages.

Unlike the UK's public notice system, Australian NOIM forms are not publicly displayed. The celebrant verifies the information privately and retains the NOIM for their records. Celebrants are legally required to refuse to marry couples if they have reasonable grounds to believe false declarations were made on the NOIM.

Meeting Your Celebrant

Australian law requires couples to meet with their celebrant at least one time before the wedding day to verify identity documents and witness NOIM signatures. During this meeting (typically 30-60 minutes), the celebrant checks original identity documents, ensures both partners understand the marriage commitment, and discusses ceremony details.

Since March 2024, celebrants can conduct remote NOIM witnessing via video conference, allowing couples to complete this requirement from different locations or while overseas.¹⁰ The celebrant must verify identity documents on camera and maintain recorded evidence of the remote meeting.

Required Documents

Both partners must present one original identity document to their celebrant. Celebrants must sight original documents, not photocopies, and record document details on the NOIM.

Marriage Ceremony Requirements

On the wedding day, the celebrant must be satisfied both partners freely consent to marry and understand the commitment. At least two witnesses aged 18 or over must be present to sign the marriage certificate. The ceremony must include specific legal wording stating that marriage is "the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life."¹¹

For complete Australian requirements including celebrant selection, see our Australian NOIM guide.

Canada Marriage License Requirements

Canadian marriage requirements are set provincially, with most provinces requiring couples to apply in person or online 1-3 months before the wedding through provincial vital statistics offices or authorized marriage license issuers. License fees typically range from $75-$160 CAD depending on province.¹² Waiting periods vary from none (Ontario, British Columbia) to 6 days (Quebec when using online applications), with most provinces issuing licenses immediately or within 24 hours.

Provincial Requirements Overview

Ontario Procedures

Ontario couples apply at any ServiceOntario location or authorized municipal marriage license issuer. The $148.75 CAD fee (2025) includes the license and optional commemorative certificate. No waiting period exists, allowing same-day issuance if all documents are in order. The license is valid for three months and can only be used within Ontario.

Both partners must appear in person to apply unless one partner is outside Canada for work or military service (sworn affidavit exemption available). Required documents include government-issued photo ID and proof of divorce if previously married.

British Columbia Procedures

British Columbia couples apply online through the provincial Vital Statistics Agency for $115 CAD. After submitting the application, couples receive an authorization letter within 48 hours. They present this letter to their officiant, who requests the official marriage license from Vital Statistics. Licenses are valid for three months.¹³

Quebec Procedures

Quebec requires couples to submit a notice of publication of marriage to the Directeur de l'état civil at least 20 days before the ceremony. The $133 CAD fee includes the 20-day publication period and license. Couples can apply online, reducing the waiting period to 6 days if selecting expedited processing.¹⁴

Quebec also requires couples to attend a brief information session about marriage rights and responsibilities (in person or online) before submitting their notice.

Universal Requirements Across All Regions

Regardless of country, certain legal requirements appear consistently across English-speaking jurisdictions when establishing valid marriages. Age requirements universally mandate both partners be at least 18 years old (or 19 in some Canadian provinces), with narrow exceptions requiring parental consent and court approval for 16-17 year olds in limited circumstances.

Authorized Officiant Requirement

Every jurisdiction requires an authorized person to solemnize the marriage ceremony. In the United States, this includes judges, magistrates, justices of the peace, religious ministers ordained by recognized denominations, and online-ordained ministers (in states that recognize Universal Life Church credentials). Some states allow notaries public to perform marriages (Florida, Maine, South Carolina).

The United Kingdom requires either a superintendent registrar (for civil ceremonies) or authorized religious officiants registered with local councils. Australia requires registered marriage celebrants appointed by the Attorney-General or authorized religious ministers. Canada requires provincial-licensed marriage commissioners or religious clergy recognized by provincial authorities.

Witness Requirements

Two witnesses aged 18 or older must observe the marriage ceremony and sign the official register or certificate in nearly all jurisdictions. Witnesses can be family members, friends, wedding party members, or even venue staff in emergencies. The United Kingdom and Australia strictly require exactly two witnesses. Most U.S. states require 1-2 witnesses depending on state law. Some states like Alabama require no witnesses at all.¹⁵

For comprehensive information about witness requirements and witness duties, see our full guide.

Capacity and Consent Requirements

All parties must have legal capacity, meaning they understand the nature of marriage and are entering the union voluntarily without coercion. Both partners must be mentally competent at the time of marriage. Intoxicated individuals lack legal capacity, potentially invalidating the marriage if challenged.

No jurisdiction recognizes forced marriages. Any evidence of coercion makes the marriage voidable through annulment proceedings.

Marriage License vs Marriage Certificate

A marriage license authorizes couples to marry and must be obtained before the ceremony, while a marriage certificate proves the marriage occurred and is issued after the ceremony. The license is a permit that grants temporary legal permission to marry, typically expiring 30-90 days after issuance. The certificate is a permanent legal document certifying the marriage occurred and is valid indefinitely.¹⁶

During the wedding ceremony, the officiant and witnesses sign the marriage license in the presence of the couple. After the ceremony, the officiant files the signed license with the issuing government office (county clerk, register office, vital statistics office). The government then processes this filing and issues the official marriage certificate 1-6 weeks later.

Couples need the certificate to change names on passports, driver's licenses, bank accounts, and other legal documents. For detailed comparison of marriage license vs marriage certificate, including when you need each document, see our comprehensive guide.

Timeline Comparison: Advance Planning Requirements

Planning timelines vary dramatically depending on location. Destination wedding couples should begin paperwork 3-6 months before travel to account for extended processing times, potential document translation requirements, and shipping delays for international mail.

After the Ceremony: Obtaining Your Certificate

Following the marriage ceremony, the officiant has legal responsibility to file the signed marriage license with the issuing government office within 3-10 days (depending on jurisdiction). Government offices then process the filing and issue official marriage certificates 1-6 weeks later. Couples can request certified copies (with raised seals) for legal purposes or commemorative copies (standard prints) for personal keepsakes.

Processing Times by Region

How Many Certificates Do You Need?

Most couples need 2-4 certified marriage certificates immediately after the wedding:

1. Passport office - For name change processes (often retained permanently)
2. Driver's license bureau - For ID updates
3. Social Security/national insurance - For government records
4. Banks and employers - For benefits and account updates

Order extra certified copies at the time of marriage (often $5-$15 each) rather than requesting them months later ($20-$40 each through vital records offices). Most couples find 4-5 certified copies sufficient for all legal name changes and updates.

Special Circumstances and Exceptions

Certain situations require additional documentation or modified procedures beyond standard marriage requirements.

International Couples and Immigration

When one partner holds foreign citizenship, additional documentation verifies the person is legally free to marry. Many countries require a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) from the foreign partner's home country government, certifying they are not currently married elsewhere. Obtaining a CNI can take 4-12 weeks and may require the foreign partner to contact their embassy or consulate.

UK notice periods extend to 70 days for anyone subject to immigration control. Australia requires foreign nationals to provide translated and certified copies of foreign divorce decrees if previously married. US county clerks generally do not require CNIs but may request additional identification from non-US citizens.

Courthouse and Register Office Weddings

Couples wanting simple civil ceremonies without traditional venues can marry directly at courthouses (US) or register offices (UK) with minimal planning. Courthouse weddings typically cost $50-$200 total including the marriage license and ceremony fee, with no venue rental charges.

US courthouses usually require 1-2 weeks' advance booking for ceremony appointments. Ceremonies last 5-10 minutes and include only the legal vows, with no customization. UK register office ceremonies cost £56 plus the £35 per person notice fee and allow 30-60 minute ceremonies with 10-40 guests depending on room capacity.

Religious Ceremony Legal Requirements

Religious weddings in the United States typically have the same legal requirements as civil ceremonies: valid marriage license, authorized religious officiant, and witnesses. The religious institution may impose additional requirements (premarital counseling, baptism records) but these are religious rules, not legal requirements.

In the United Kingdom, the distinction between religious and civil ceremonies is more significant. Religious marriages in Anglican churches automatically carry legal status and don't require additional register office visits. Marriages in other religious buildings require the venue to have an Authorized Person appointed who registers the marriage, or a registrar must attend the ceremony.

Australia treats religious officiants the same as civil celebrants for legal purposes. Religious ministers must be registered as marriage celebrants with the Attorney-General's Department and follow the same NOIM procedures.

Previously Married Applicants

Divorced applicants must provide documentation proving the previous marriage legally ended:

Widowed applicants must provide the death certificate of the former spouse. Allow 31 days after divorce finalization before legally remarrying.

Sources and References