Location:

Boston City Clerk
1 City Hall Square, Rm. 213
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 635-4179
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. / M – F
Closed for holidays.

Local Wedding Officiants for your wedding or vow renewal ceremony. Submit one form to top-rated marriage officiants in your locality. You choose the best Wedding Officiant.

Ask a Lawyer Online Now! 24 Lawyers Are Online. Ask a Question, Get an Answer ASAP.

Application:

Before you can get married in Massachusetts, you need a Marriage License issued in Massachusetts. An out-of-state license cannot be used and you cannot use a Massachusetts license outside of this state.

Marriage ID Requirement in Massachusetts:

1. Both parties must be at least 18 years of age.

2. Both parties must come in person to the Registry to fill out the ‘Marriage Intention Form for a Marriage License.’ Marriage Intention Forms cannot be processed through the mail (some special conditions may apply – see below).

3. Both parties must show valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport).

4. Both parties must know their Social Security numbers to complete their Marriage Intention Form.

Marriage Waiting Period in Massachusetts:

There is a three (3) calendar day waiting period until you can pick up your license. This waiting period includes weekdays, weekends, and holidays, but the day the application is submitted is not included in the three day waiting period.

Marriage Residency Requirement:

Do not have to be a resident of Massachusetts.

Previous Marriages: ✔ Search Marriage | Divorce Records

You are not required to present a divorce certificate when filing intentions to marry. However, it is extremely important that an individual who has been divorced be certain that his/her divorce is absolute. If you are uncertain as to the absolute date of your divorce, you should contact the court where the divorce was granted. In Massachusetts, a divorce does not become absolute until 90 days after the divorce nisi has been granted, regardless of the grounds for divorce.

Maryland Marriage License Fee:

$50 Cash or money order. Payable at time of filing your Marriage Intention.

Same Sex Marriages:

Yes, in the Bay State same sex marriages are legal.

Proxy Marriages:

No.

Cousin Marriages:

Yes.

Common Law Marriages:

No.

Marriage Blood Test Massachusetts:

No blood test required.

Name Change:

Getting a marriage license with your new name on it does not mean your name has automatically changed. If you need to change your last name, you can use an online marriage name change kit.

Marriage Age Requirements: ✔ Get Copy Of Birth Certificate

Parental consent is needed if under 18 years of age. If you are between 16-18 years of age, one of your parents or guardian must be with you and provide written consent.
If you are under 16 years of age, you will need both the written consent of your custodial parent or guardian and the written approval of a judge of the Orphans’ Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas.

If you are under 18, pregnant or have a child, and show a certificate from a licensed physician stating you are pregnant or have had a child, the parental consent requirement may be waived.

Marriage Officiants Massachusetts:

In Massachusetts, a couple can choose to have a family friend or relative perform their wedding ceremony. In order to become a “Justice of the Peace” for a day, you must fill out an application from the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. The process takes 4-6 weeks to complete.

After filling out the application and sending it back, you will then receive a letter from the Secretary of Commonwealth granting permission for the person to perform the wedding ceremony. The letter will give you further instructions to complete the process. There is a $25 fee to apply. For complete details and an application, visit here.

[the_ad id="38147"]

Marriage Witnesses

Witnesses are not required.

Expiration Date of Marriage License:

License is valid for 60 days from the date the application was filed.

Copy of Certificate of Marriage License

Division of Public Records
Secretary of the Commonwealth
One Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-2836

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. For more information regarding Massachusetts marriage license laws please visit www.mass.gov.