AMERICAN MARRIAGE MINISTRIES
330 24th Ave E Seattle WA 98112
Phone: 206-395-9164


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  • August 27, 2009

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We understand that many of our ministers have no prior experience performing marriage and that's okay.
The legal dimension of marriage involves the proper filing, completion, and return of the marriage license.
Once these basic clerical duties are understood, the minister can focus on providing a meaningful wedding ceremony.
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Toggle: Map-List
  • Minister Licensing
  • - Licensing Office -
  • Marriage License
  • - Office of Issuance -
  • - Application Fee -
  • - Waiting Periods -
  • - Expiration -
  • - Return -
Minister Licensing Requirements by State
Minister Licensing requirements vary across the Country.
All ministers must observe State requirements (if any) to perform marriage.
No Licensing-Varies by County Required in Select Locations Required Across State
Alabama:
No Licensing
 Montana:
No Licensing
Alaska:
No Licensing
 Nebraska:
No Licensing
Arizona:
No Licensing
 Nevada:
Required
Arkansas:
Select Locations
 New Hampshire:
No Licensing
California:
No Licensing
 New Jersey:
No Licensing
Colorado:
No Licensing
 New Mexico:
No Licensing
Connecticut:
No Licensing
 New York:
Select Locations
Delaware:
No Licensing
 North Carolina:
Select Locations
Florida:
No Licensing
 North Dakota:
No Licensing
Georgia:
No Licensing
 Ohio:
Required
Hawaii:
Required
 Oklahoma:
Select Locations
Idaho:
No Licensing
 Oregon:
No Licensing
Illinois:
Select Locations
 Pennsylvania:
Select Locations
Indiana:
No Licensing
 Rhode Island:
No Licensing
Iowa:
No Licensing
 South Carolina:
No Licensing
Kansas:
No Licensing
 South Dakota:
No Licensing
Kentucky:
Select Locations
 Tennessee:
Select Locations
Louisiana:
Select Locations
 Texas:
No Licensing
Maine:
No Licensing
 Utah:
Required
Maryland:
No Licensing
 Vermont:
No Licensing
Massachusetts:
No Licensing
 Virginia:
Required
Michigan:
Select Locations
 Washington:
No Licensing
Minnesota:
Required
 West Virginia:
Required
Mississippi:
Select Locations
 Wisconsin:
Required
Missouri:
Required
 Wyoming:
No Licensing
Minister Licensing Office by State
The government office (if any) that licenses ministers varies by State.
In most places this will be the same office that issues the marriage license to the couple.
State Government County Government City & Town Government
Alabama:
County Clerk
 Montana:
Clerk of Court
Alaska:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
 Nebraska:
County Clerk
Arizona:
County Clerk
 Nevada:
County Clerk
Arkansas:
County Clerk
 New Hampshire:
Town Clerk
California:
County Clerk
 New Jersey:
Municipal Registrar
Colorado:
County Clerk
 New Mexico:
County Clerk
Connecticut:
Vital Records Office
 New York:
County, City, Town Clerk
Delaware:
County Clerk
 North Carolina:
County Registrar
Florida:
County Clerk
 North Dakota:
County Registrar
Georgia:
County Clerk
 Ohio:
Secretary of State
Hawaii:
Department of Health
 Oklahoma:
County Clerk
Idaho:
County Recorder
 Oregon:
County Clerk
Illinois:
County Clerk
 Pennsylvania:
County Registrar
Indiana:
County Clerk
 Rhode Island:
Town Clerk
Iowa:
County Clerk
 South Carolina:
County Probate Office
Kansas:
County Clerk
 South Dakota:
County Registrar
Kentucky:
County Clerk
 Tennessee:
County Clerk
Louisiana:
Clerk of Court
 Texas:
County Clerk
Maine:
Town Clerk
 Utah:
County Clerk
Maryland:
Clerk of Court
 Vermont:
Town Clerk
Massachusetts:
Town Clerk
 Virginia:
County Clerk
Michigan:
Clerk of Court
 Washington:
County Auditor
Minnesota:
County Clerk
 West Virginia:
County Clerk
Mississippi:
Clerk of Court
 Wisconsin:
County Clerk
Missouri:
County Clerk
 Wyoming:
County Clerk
Marriage License Definitions
Marriage License: The legal document document of marriage issued and recorded by the State Government.
  • It is the responsibility of the couple to apply for their marriage license.
  • It is the duty of the minister to complete and return the license.
  • Depending on the State, the marriage license may be issued at a State, County, City, or Town level.
County Clerk: Also known as "Clerk of Court" and "Probate Court office". The County Clerk is a department of the courthouse, ussually located in the main Courthouse building.
Waiting Period: When a couple applies for their marriage license, they may be required to wait a certain amount of days before either being issued or being able to complete and return their marriage license.
Expiration: In most States the marriage license expires after a specified period of time from when it is issued. If the marriage has not been solemnized wthin this time frame, the couple will have to reapply for a new license.
Return: Most States require that the completed marriage license be returned to its office of issuance within a specified period of time from the wedding.
Office that Issues Marriage License by State
Depending on the State, the marriage license may be issued at a State, County, City, or Town level.
Common offices include the County Clerk, County Recorder, Probate Court, and City Clerk.
State Government County Government City & Town Government
Alabama:
County Clerk
 Montana:
Clerk of Court
Alaska:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
 Nebraska:
County Clerk
Arizona:
County Clerk
 Nevada:
County Clerk
Arkansas:
County Clerk
 New Hampshire:
Town Clerk
California:
County Clerk
 New Jersey:
Municipal Registrar
Colorado:
County Clerk
 New Mexico:
County Clerk
Connecticut:
Vital Records Office
 New York:
County, City, Town Clerk
Delaware:
County Clerk
 North Carolina:
County Registrar
Florida:
County Clerk
 North Dakota:
County Registrar
Georgia:
County Clerk
 Ohio:
County Clerk
Hawaii:
Department of Health
 Oklahoma:
County Clerk
Idaho:
County Recorder
 Oregon:
County Clerk
Illinois:
County Clerk
 Pennsylvania:
County Registrar
Indiana:
County Clerk
 Rhode Island:
Town Clerk
Iowa:
County Clerk
 South Carolina:
County Probate Office
Kansas:
County Clerk
 South Dakota:
County Registrar
Kentucky:
County Clerk
 Tennessee:
County Clerk
Louisiana:
Clerk of Court
 Texas:
County Clerk
Maine:
Town Clerk
 Utah:
County Clerk
Maryland:
Clerk of Court
 Vermont:
Town Clerk
Massachusetts:
Town Clerk
 Virginia:
County Clerk
Michigan:
Clerk of Court
 Washington:
County Auditor
Minnesota:
County Clerk
 West Virginia:
County Clerk
Mississippi:
Clerk of Court
 Wisconsin:
County Clerk
Missouri:
County Clerk
 Wyoming:
County Clerk
Marriage License Fee by State
The cost of the marriage license Varies from State to State
In addition, the cost may vary based on Residency and location in the State.
Marriage License is $4-40 Marriage License is $41-65 Marriage License is $65+
Alabama:
$40 - 80
 Montana:
$50 - 60
Alaska:
$25
 Nebraska:
$15
Arizona:
$72
 Nevada:
$35 - 65
Arkansas:
$35 - 47
 New Hampshire:
$45
California:
$50 - 80
 New Jersey:
$28
Colorado:
$10 - 30
 New Mexico:
$25
Connecticut:
$10 - 30
 New York:
$35 - 40
Delaware:
$30 -100
 North Carolina:
$50
Florida:
$93.50
 North Dakota:
$65
Georgia:
$26 - 62
 Ohio:
$40 - 60
Hawaii:
$50
 Oklahoma:
$50
Idaho:
$28
 Oregon:
$50 - 60
Illinois:
$15 - 40
 Pennsylvania:
$40 - 75
Indiana:
$18 or $60
 Rhode Island:
$24
Iowa:
$30 - 35
 South Carolina:
$30 - 50
Kansas:
$50 - 69
 South Dakota:
$40
Kentucky:
$34.50 - 36
 Tennessee:
$93.50 - 99.50
Louisiana:
$25 - 32
 Texas:
$60 - 72
Maine:
$20
 Utah:
$40 - 50
Maryland:
$35 - 70
 Vermont:
$45 - 55
Massachusetts:
$4 - 50
 Virginia:
$30 - 50
Michigan:
$20 or $30
 Washington:
$55 - 64
Minnesota:
$110
 West Virginia:
$36
Mississippi:
$22
 Wisconsin:
$60 - 105
Missouri:
$58
 Wyoming:
$25
Marriage License Waiting Period by State
Select States mandate a Waiting Period upon successful application for the marriage license.
The couple may have to wait from 1-6 days to be issued or complete the license.
No Waiting Period 1-3 Day Waiting Period 4-6 Day Waiting Period
Alabama:
None
 Montana:
None
Alaska:
3 Days to Receive
 Nebraska:
None
Arizona:
None
 Nevada:
None
Arkansas:
None
 New Hampshire:
3 Days to Receive
California:
None
 New Jersey:
3 Days to Receive
Colorado:
None
 New Mexico:
None
Connecticut:
None
 New York:
1 Days before Completing
Delaware:
1 or 4 Days (Residency)
 North Carolina:
None
Florida:
3 Days before Completing
 North Dakota:
None
Georgia:
None
 Ohio:
None
Hawaii:
None
 Oklahoma:
None
Idaho:
None
 Oregon:
3 Days to Receive
Illinois:
1 day before Completing
 Pennsylvania:
3 Days to Receive
Indiana:
None
 Rhode Island:
None
Iowa:
3 Days to Receive
 South Carolina:
1 day to Receive
Kansas:
3 Days to Receive
 South Dakota:
None
Kentucky:
3 Days to Receive
 Tennessee:
None
Louisiana:
3 Days before Completing
 Texas:
3 Days before Completing
Maine:
3 Days to Receive
 Utah:
None
Maryland:
2 Days to Receive
 Vermont:
1 day before Completing
Massachusetts:
3 Days to Receive
 Virginia:
None
Michigan:
3 Days to Receive
 Washington:
3 Days to Receive
Minnesota:
5 Days to Receive
 West Virginia:
3 Days before Completing
Mississippi:
3 Days to Receive
 Wisconsin:
6 Days to Receive
Missouri:
None
 Wyoming:
None
Marriage License Expiration by State
Select States have expiration dates for the marriage license, after which the couple must reapply.
This map contains the duration of the marriage license for each State.
Does not Expire Expires in 6-12 Months Expires in 30-180 Days
Alabama:
30 Days
 Montana:
6 months
Alaska:
90 Days
 Nebraska:
1 Year
Arizona:
1 Year
 Nevada:
1 Year
Arkansas:
60 Days
 New Hampshire:
90 Days
California:
60 Days
 New Jersey:
30 Days
Colorado:
30 Days
 New Mexico:
No Expiration
Connecticut:
65 Days
 New York:
60 Days
Delaware:
30 Days
 North Carolina:
60 Days
Florida:
60 Days
 North Dakota:
60 Days
Georgia:
No Expiration
 Ohio:
60 Days
Hawaii:
30 Days
 Oklahoma:
10 Days
Idaho:
1 Year
 Oregon:
60 Days
Illinois:
60 Days
 Pennsylvania:
60 Days
Indiana:
60 Days
 Rhode Island:
90 Days
Iowa:
No Expiration
 South Carolina:
No Expiration
Kansas:
6 Months
 South Dakota:
20 Days
Kentucky:
30 Days
 Tennessee:
30 Days
Louisiana:
30 Days
 Texas:
27 Days
Maine:
90 Days
 Utah:
30 Days
Maryland:
6 months
 Vermont:
60 Days
Massachusetts:
60 Days
 Virginia:
60 Days
Michigan:
33 Days
 Washington:
60 Days
Minnesota:
6 months
 West Virginia:
60 Days
Mississippi:
90 Days
 Wisconsin:
30 Days
Missouri:
30 Days
 Wyoming:
No Expiration
Marriage License Return by State
Once completed, the marriage license must be returned to its office of issuance.
This map contains the deadline for returning the completed marriage license.
Return Before License Expires 11-60 Days from the Wedding 3-10 Days from the Wedding
Alabama:
Before Expiration
 Montana:
30 Days from Wedding
Alaska:
Before Expiration
 Nebraska:
15 Days from Wedding
Arizona:
20 Days from Wedding
 Nevada:
Before Expiration
Arkansas:
Before Expiration
 New Hampshire:
Before Expiration
California:
10 Days from Wedding
 New Jersey:
Before Expiration
Colorado:
60 Days from Wedding
 New Mexico:
90 Days from Wedding
Connecticut:
Before Expiration
 New York:
Before Expiration
Delaware:
Before Expiration
 North Carolina:
Before Expiration
Florida:
10 Days from Wedding
 North Dakota:
5 Days from Wedding
Georgia:
30 Days from Wedding
 Ohio:
30 Days from Wedding
Hawaii:
Before Expiration
 Oklahoma:
5 Days from Wedding
Idaho:
30 Days from Wedding
 Oregon:
10 Days from Wedding
Illinois:
10 Days from Wedding
 Pennsylvania:
10 Days from Wedding
Indiana:
Before Expiration
 Rhode Island:
Before Expiration
Iowa:
15 Days from Wedding
 South Carolina:
30 Days from Wedding
Kansas:
10 Days from Wedding
 South Dakota:
Before Expiration
Kentucky:
Before Expiration
 Tennessee:
3 Days from Wedding
Louisiana:
Before Expiration
 Texas:
10 Days from Wedding
Maine:
15 Days from Wedding
 Utah:
14 Days from Wedding
Maryland:
Before Expiration
 Vermont:
10 Days from Wedding
Massachusetts:
Before Expiration
 Virginia:
5 Days from Wedding
Michigan:
Before Expiration
 Washington:
Before Expiration
Minnesota:
5 Days from Wedding
 West Virginia:
Before Expiration
Mississippi:
Before Expiration
 Wisconsin:
3 Days from Wedding
Missouri:
90 Days from Wedding
 Wyoming:
Before Expiration
American Marriage Ministries 330 24th Ave E. Seattle, WA 98112 Phone: (206) 395-9164 Fax: (206) 407-3495