A marriage license is a government-issued document that authorizes you to legally marry. Without it, your ceremony has no legal standing—regardless of how beautiful the venue or how moving the vows. In the US, licenses cost $20-170 and are typically valid for 30-90 days1. The UK, Australia, and Canada each have different systems with their own requirements, fees, and timelines.
What Is a Marriage License?
A marriage license is official authorization from the government permitting two people to marry. Think of it as the legal "green light" for your wedding ceremony.
License vs. Certificate
Many couples confuse these two documents:
| Document | Purpose | When You Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage License | Permission to marry | Before the ceremony |
| Marriage Certificate | Proof you are married | After the ceremony is filed |
Your license becomes the basis for your certificate. After your ceremony, the officiant and witnesses sign the license, which is then filed with the appropriate government office. You receive an official marriage certificate—the document you'll use for name changes, insurance updates, and legal purposes.
Why It Matters
Without a valid marriage license:
- Your ceremony is not legally binding
- You cannot file joint tax returns
- Your spouse has no automatic inheritance rights
- You may face complications with immigration, insurance, and medical decisions
Marriage License Requirements by Country
Requirements vary significantly between countries and even between states or provinces. Here's what you need to know for the major English-speaking markets.
United States
The US handles marriage licensing at the county level, which means requirements vary by state and sometimes by county1.
General Requirements:
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
- Proof of age (birth certificate in some states)
- Social Security number
- Divorce decree or death certificate (if previously married)
- Both partners typically must appear in person
Fees: $20-170 depending on county. Some states offer discounts for completing premarital education courses—Texas reduces the fee from $76 to $16 with an approved course2.
Waiting Periods: Many states have eliminated waiting periods. Notable exceptions include:
- New York: 24 hours
- Texas: 72 hours (waivable with premarital course)
- Florida: 3 days for residents (waivable with premarital course)
Validity: Typically 30-90 days. Arizona offers the longest validity at one year, while Georgia licenses have no expiration1.
Where to Apply: County clerk's office or recorder's office in the county where you plan to marry. Some states allow applications in any county.
US State Fee Comparison
Here's a sample of fees across popular wedding destinations:
| State | Fee | Waiting Period | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $35-100 | None | 90 days |
| Nevada | $102 | None | 1 year |
| New York | $40 | 24 hours | 60 days |
| Florida | $93.50 | 3 days (residents) | 60 days |
| Texas | $76 ($16 with course) | 72 hours | 90 days |
| Hawaii | $60 | None | 30 days |
| Colorado | $30 | None | 35 days |
| Georgia | $56-76 | None | No expiration |
Nevada and Las Vegas remain popular elopement destinations partly due to no waiting period and the convenience of 24-hour marriage license bureaus. Hawaii offers a streamlined online application process for destination weddings.
United Kingdom
The UK uses a different system called "giving notice" rather than obtaining a license3.
The Process:
- Book an appointment at your local register office
- Both partners give notice in person
- Wait the mandatory 29-day period
- Proceed with your ceremony within 12 months
Requirements:
- Valid passport or UK birth certificate
- Proof of address (utility bills, bank statements, or Council Tax bill)
- Details of your ceremony venue
- Decree absolute (if divorced) or death certificate (if widowed)
- Proof of immigration status (if applicable)
Fees: £35-47 per person (£70-94 total for both partners). Non-UK/EU nationals pay £57 per person due to Home Office referral requirements4.
Residency Requirement: You must have lived in your registration district for at least 7 days before giving notice.
Validity: Your notice is valid for 12 months from the date you give notice.
Scotland and Northern Ireland: Note that Scotland and Northern Ireland have different legal systems. In Scotland, you submit a Marriage Notice to the registrar at least 29 days before the ceremony, but the process and fees differ from England and Wales. Northern Ireland requires similar notice periods with its own set of requirements and fees.
Church of England Weddings: If you're marrying in an Anglican church, you may use banns (announcements read in church for three consecutive Sundays) instead of civil notice. This traditional method is available to those with a qualifying connection to the parish, such as residency or regular church attendance.
Australia
Australia requires a Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) form lodged with your celebrant5.
The Process:
- Choose an authorized celebrant
- Complete the NOIM form together
- Lodge the form with your celebrant at least one month before the wedding
- Provide required identity documents
- Ceremony can take place between 1-18 months after lodging
Requirements:
- Birth certificate or passport with photo ID
- Proof of citizenship (if applicable)
- Divorce certificate or death certificate (if previously married)
- Two witnesses aged 18+ at the ceremony
Fees: No federal fee for lodging the NOIM. Shortening the notice period (for exceptional circumstances) costs $60.40 AUD. Celebrant fees vary.
Waiting Period: Minimum one calendar month. This can only be shortened for exceptional circumstances with an application fee.
Validity: The NOIM is valid for 18 months maximum from the lodgement date.
Remote Witnessing: Australian law now allows celebrants to witness NOIM signatures remotely via video call (Zoom, FaceTime, etc.) if both the celebrant and couple are within Australia at the time of signing. This flexibility helps interstate couples or those in remote areas.
Authorized NOIM Witnesses: Your NOIM signature must be witnessed by specific authorized persons:
- Within Australia: Celebrant, Justice of the Peace, lawyer, medical practitioner, or police officer
- Outside Australia: Australian Consular Officer, Diplomatic Officer, or notary public
State Variations: While federal marriage law is consistent across Australia, state-based Births, Deaths and Marriages offices handle certificate registration. Processing times and fees for obtaining certified copies of your marriage certificate vary between states—typically 2-4 weeks and $20-65 AUD.
Canada
Canada handles marriage licenses at the provincial level, with requirements varying by province6.
Ontario Example:
- Provincial fee: $75 CAD (may be waived for Indigenous applicants)
- Municipal administrative fees may apply
- Valid for 3 months from issue date
- No waiting period
General Requirements:
- Valid government ID
- Proof of eligibility (divorce documentation if applicable)
- Translated divorce decree (if foreign divorce, not in English/French)
- Legal opinion letter (for foreign divorces)
Where to Apply: ServiceOntario online, or municipal offices in person.
Provincial Variations: Fees and requirements differ significantly across provinces:
| Province | Fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $75+ CAD | 90 days |
| British Columbia | $100 CAD | 90 days |
| Alberta | $75 CAD | 90 days |
| Quebec | $115 CAD | 90 days |
Quebec Special Note: Quebec has unique requirements including a mandatory 20-day publication of marriage notice before the ceremony. Couples must contact the Directeur de l'état civil (civil status registrar) for specific requirements.
Foreign Divorces: If either partner was divorced in another country, processing can take 4-6 weeks. You'll need the original or certified copy of your divorce decree, professionally translated into English or French, plus a legal opinion letter from a Canadian lawyer confirming the divorce is recognized in Ontario.
Comparative Table: Marriage License by Country
| Country | Document Name | Fee | Waiting Period | Validity | Both Must Appear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | Marriage License | $20-170 USD | 0-3 days | 30-90 days | Usually yes |
| UK | Marriage Notice | £70-114 total | 29 days | 12 months | Yes |
| Australia | NOIM | Varies | 1 month | 18 months | Yes |
| Canada | Marriage License | $75-150 CAD | 0-3 days | 90 days | Varies |
Documents You'll Need
Standard Documents (All Countries)
- Government-issued photo ID: Driver's license, passport, or national ID card
- Proof of age: Birth certificate or passport
- Proof of address: Utility bills, bank statements, or official mail
If Previously Married
- Divorce decree: Final decree absolute (UK) or divorce certificate
- Death certificate: If widowed
- Annulment documentation: If previous marriage was annulled
Special Circumstances
| Situation | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | Parental consent form, court approval in some jurisdictions |
| Foreign national | Passport, visa, immigration status proof |
| Foreign divorce | Translated decree, legal opinion letter (Canada) |
| Name change | Deed poll or name change documentation |
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
General Process
- Determine your jurisdiction: Apply in the county, city, or district where your ceremony will take place
- Gather all required documents: Check specific requirements for your location
- Schedule an appointment: Many offices require appointments, especially post-pandemic
- Appear together: Both partners typically must be present
- Pay the fee: Cash, card, or money order depending on the office
- Receive your license: Some locations issue same-day, others have waiting periods
- Have your ceremony: Within the validity period
- File after ceremony: Your officiant typically handles this step
Timeline Recommendations
| Wedding Date | When to Apply |
|---|---|
| US (no waiting period) | 2-4 weeks before |
| US (with waiting period) | 1-2 weeks before |
| UK | 30+ days before (29-day notice required) |
| Australia | 1-6 months before (1-month minimum) |
| Canada | 2-4 weeks before |
Common Issues and Solutions
Lost Marriage License
Contact the issuing office immediately. Options vary:
- Request a duplicate (additional fee applies)
- In some cases, you may need to reapply entirely
- Most US counties can issue duplicates within a few days
License Expires Before Ceremony
Unfortunately, there's no extension process. You must:
- Reapply for a new license
- Pay the full fee again
- Wait through any applicable waiting period
Prevention tip: Don't apply too early. Calculate backwards from your wedding date, accounting for the validity period and any waiting periods.
Name Discrepancies
Your license documents must match exactly. If your ID shows a different name than your birth certificate:
- Bring documentation of name changes (deed poll, previous marriage certificate)
- Some offices may require additional verification
- Resolve discrepancies before your appointment
International Marriages
If marrying abroad or with a foreign national:
- Research destination country requirements separately
- Obtain certified translations of all documents
- Consider apostille requirements for document authentication
- Allow extra processing time for foreign divorce verification
Emergency and Expedited Licenses
Sometimes circumstances require a faster process than the standard waiting period allows.
United States
Many US states allow judges to waive waiting periods for emergencies such as:
- Military deployment
- Serious illness of a partner or family member
- Pregnancy
- Imminent travel
Contact the county clerk's office to request a waiver. Some states have formal processes, while others leave it to judicial discretion. Nevada has no waiting period at all, making it a popular choice for urgent ceremonies.
United Kingdom
In England and Wales, you can apply to the Superintendent Registrar for a special license if you cannot meet the standard notice requirements due to:
- Serious illness (when one partner is not expected to recover)
- Exceptional circumstances
The Archbishop of Canterbury can also grant special licenses for Church of England weddings in emergencies. These exceptions are rare and require substantial documentation.
Australia
Australia allows "shortening of time" applications for exceptional circumstances. You must apply to an authorized shortening of time officer and pay the $60.40 AUD assessment fee. Grounds include:
- Imminent deployment
- Serious illness
- Immigration deadlines
- Other compelling circumstances
The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is denied. Plan ahead where possible—most applications take several days to process.
After Your Ceremony
What Happens to Your License
- Officiant signs: Confirms they performed a legal ceremony
- Witnesses sign: Usually two witnesses, must be adults
- Officiant files: Submitted to the issuing government office
- Certificate issued: You receive proof of marriage
- Marriage becomes legal: Recorded in official records
Timeline for Certificate
| Country | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|
| US | 1-6 weeks |
| UK | Same day to 2 weeks |
| Australia | 2-4 weeks |
| Canada | 2-6 weeks |
What You'll Use Your Certificate For
- Name change applications
- Passport updates
- Social Security updates (US)
- Tax filing status changes
- Insurance beneficiary updates
- Immigration applications
- Bank and financial account updates
Sources and References
Footnotes
-
Nolo, Chart: State Marriage License and Blood Test Requirements, 2025. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/chart-state-marriage-license-blood-29019.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3
-
Tarrant County, Texas, Marriage Licenses, 2025. https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/county-clerk/vital-records/marriage-licenses.html ↩
-
GOV.UK, Marriages and civil partnerships, 2025. https://www.gov.uk/marriages-civil-partnerships ↩
-
Dorset Council, Marriage and civil partnership ceremony fees, 2025. https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/marriage-and-civil-partnership-ceremony-fees ↩
-
Australian Government Attorney-General's Department, Notice of Intended Marriage, 2025. https://www.ag.gov.au/families-and-marriage/publications/notice-intended-marriage ↩
-
Government of Ontario, Getting married, 2025. https://www.ontario.ca/page/getting-married ↩