Massachusetts Marriage License Records
In Massachusetts, you get a marriage license from any city or town clerk office in the state. You do not have to live where you apply. Both parties must go in person together, show proof of age, pay the fee, and wait 3 days before picking up the license. The license is then valid for 60 days and can be used at any wedding location within Massachusetts. Use this page to find requirements, fees, laws, and official resources for marriage licenses across all 14 counties.
Massachusetts Marriage License Overview
Where to Get a Massachusetts Marriage License
Massachusetts works differently from most states. Marriage licenses do not come from county offices or courts. They come from city and town clerk offices. There are 351 municipalities in the state, and any one of them can issue a license. You do not have to live in that city or town. You do not have to get married there either. Pick the clerk's office that works best for you.
The Massachusetts state marriage guide at mass.gov is the best starting point. It covers the full process from filing your intention to getting certified copies after the wedding. The guide is kept up to date with current rules and fees. Start there if you are not sure what steps apply to your situation.
The guide at mass.gov includes details on the state's comprehensive pre-wedding requirements and covers what couples need to know before they arrive at the clerk's office.
After your wedding, you can get certified copies of your marriage certificate from the clerk's office that issued the license. The state-level option is the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS). The RVRS holds marriage records from 1931 to the present. It is located at 150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor, Dorchester, MA 02125. Call them at 617-740-2600. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM.
For older marriage records from 1841 to 1930, the Massachusetts Archives is the right place. The Archives is at 220 Morrissey Blvd in Boston. Phone: 617-727-2816. Many records from 1841 to 1925 are available online for free through the Archives website. Certified copies cost $3 each.
Note: Marriage licenses in Massachusetts are issued by city and town clerks, not county courts. County government was abolished in most Massachusetts counties between 1997 and 2000.
Massachusetts Marriage License Requirements
Both parties must appear in person together at the clerk's office. There are three narrow exceptions: active military duty with official documentation, incarceration, or a physician's written certification that death is imminent. Outside those situations, there are no exceptions. You cannot send someone else to apply on your behalf.
The pre-wedding guide from mass.gov lists every item you need to bring to the clerk's office. Read it before you go so you do not have to make a second trip.
Here is what you need to bring:
- Proof of age (see note below - driver's licenses are NOT accepted)
- Social Security numbers for both parties (cards not required)
- Payment of the license fee (varies by city, typically $20-$50)
- If previously married: proof that divorce or annulment is final
Under MGL c. 207, §33A, proof of age must be one of these documents: a birth certificate, a passport, an immigration form I-94 or I-551, or a life insurance policy for anyone born before 1960. Driver's licenses are explicitly excluded by state law. Bring a birth certificate or passport to be safe.
Important: Massachusetts law does not accept driver's licenses as proof of age for a marriage license. You must bring a birth certificate, passport, or other approved document. This rule catches many people off guard.
Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Massachusetts eliminated all exceptions for underage marriage as of July 1, 2022, under MGL c. 207, §7. There are no longer any circumstances under which a person under 18 can get married in Massachusetts.
If you were previously married, your prior marriage must be legally ended before you can apply. In Massachusetts, a divorce does not become final until 90 days after the judge issues the divorce nisi. Count forward from that date before you apply.
The 3-Day Waiting Period
After you file your marriage intention at the clerk's office, you must wait 3 days before you can pick up the license. This wait counts Sundays and holidays. It does not include the day you apply. If you file on Friday, the soonest you can pick up the license is Monday. Plan your timeline with this in mind, especially around holiday weekends.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date you file your intention. Not from the date you pick it up. The clock starts when you go to the clerk's office. If you let 60 days pass without having the ceremony, you have to start over with a fresh application and pay the fee again.
If you need to waive the 3-day wait, you must go to a probate or district court. Under MGL c. 207, §30, the court can waive the wait in emergency cases. Both parties must appear. The court fee is about $195. You can find more information at mass.gov's marriage without delay page. Valid reasons include imminent death. Convenience or travel plans do not qualify as emergencies.
Massachusetts Marriage Laws
All marriage law in Massachusetts is in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 207. This chapter covers who can marry, how to file, waiting periods, and who can officiate. The state legislature's website has the full text of every section.
The Massachusetts law about marriage overview at mass.gov gives a plain-language summary of the key rules and links to relevant statutes. It is a good place to check if you have a specific legal question before you consult an attorney.
Some things that come up often under Massachusetts law:
- Same-sex marriage has been legal in Massachusetts since 2004
- Common-law marriage is not recognized. Massachusetts will not recognize a common-law marriage formed in the state, though it may recognize one formed in another state under certain conditions
- First cousins can legally marry in Massachusetts
- Blood tests are not required. They were eliminated in 2005
- Witnesses are not required for civil ceremonies
- You can only use a Massachusetts marriage license within the state
- You cannot use an out-of-state license to get married in Massachusetts
Prohibited relationships are listed in MGL c. 207, §1 and §2. These sections prohibit marriage between close relatives. Polygamy is a crime under MGL c. 272, §15. Out-of-state marriages can be registered in Massachusetts under MGL c. 207, §36 if both parties were lawfully married elsewhere.
Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Massachusetts
Massachusetts allows four types of officiants. The most common are clergy and justices of the peace. The state also allows out-of-state clergy and private individuals through the One-Day Designation program.
In-state clergy who are registered with the Secretary of the Commonwealth can perform marriages under MGL c. 207, §38. Their church or religious organization must be on file with the state. Justices of the Peace are appointed by the governor and are authorized statewide. Some city clerks also serve as justices of the peace. You can search for a JP at mass.gov's justice of the peace page.
Out-of-state clergy must get authorization from the Secretary of the Commonwealth before they can officiate a Massachusetts wedding. This is handled under MGL c. 207, §39. The application must be filed ahead of time. Do not assume an out-of-state minister can simply show up and conduct the ceremony without this step.
The One-Day Marriage Designation lets a friend or family member officiate one wedding. The One-Day Designation portal at the Secretary of Commonwealth's website is where the officiant applies. They must apply between 1 week and 6 months before the ceremony. The fee is $20 online or $25 by mail. The officiant must be at least 18 years old.
After the ceremony, the officiant must fill out and return the completed license to the clerk's office that issued it. This is required by MGL c. 207, §40. Failing to return the license creates problems for couples who need certified copies later.
Note: The One-Day Designation must be applied for by the person who will officiate, not the couple getting married. The officiant applies on behalf of one specific ceremony on one specific date.
Marriage Certificates and Certified Copies
After the officiant returns the completed license to the issuing clerk, couples can order certified copies of the marriage certificate. You will need certified copies for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal purposes. Order extra copies when you first request them. Getting additional copies later costs the same per copy but requires another request.
Two sources for certified copies exist. The local city or town clerk that issued the license can provide copies right away once the officiant returns the completed form. The Registry of Vital Records and Statistics is the state-level source for marriages from 1931 to present.
RVRS fee schedule:
- In-person: $20 per copy (immediate)
- By mail: $32 per copy (20-30 business days)
- Expedited mail: $42 per copy (7-10 business days)
- Online via VitalChek: $54 for the first copy, $42 for each additional
- Expedited online: $62.50
You can also order through the marriage records page at mass.gov which links to the RVRS and explains all request options. For records from 1841 to 1930, the Massachusetts Archives at 220 Morrissey Blvd in Boston has the original files. Certified copies from the Archives cost $3 each. Many records from 1841 to 1925 are searchable and viewable online for free at the Archives website.
Note: Additional fees apply through VitalChek for online orders. The VitalChek service charges a convenience fee on top of the state's copy fee.
City Hall and Court Wedding Ceremonies
Several Massachusetts city clerks offer wedding ceremony services at city hall. This is a good option for couples who want a simple legal ceremony without booking a separate venue. Boston, Newton, Haverhill, Waltham, Revere, and Taunton are among the cities that offer this service.
Fees for city hall ceremonies typically run $75 to $100. Boston charges $75 and holds ceremonies in Room 213 or Room 601 at City Hall. Newton charges $100 and limits attendance to about 10-12 people. Haverhill charges $100 and allows up to 6 guests. Revere offers ceremonies in English and Spanish for $100. Taunton performs ceremonies in the Council Chambers for $100, cash only. Waltham offers ceremonies through its Justice of the Peace for $100.
You can also have your ceremony before a judge at a court facility. The court wedding ceremony information page at mass.gov explains how this works and what courts offer this option.
All the same rules apply no matter where you hold the ceremony. You need a valid Massachusetts marriage license. The license must not have expired. The officiant must be properly authorized. And the completed license must be returned to the issuing clerk after the ceremony.
Browse Massachusetts Marriage Licenses by County
Each county in Massachusetts has multiple city and town clerk offices that issue marriage licenses. Select a county to find contact info, fees, and local resources for getting a marriage license in that area.
Marriage License Info for Major Massachusetts Cities
Major Massachusetts cities handle marriage licenses through their city clerk offices. Pick a city below to find the clerk's address, hours, fee, and any special requirements for that location.