Get a Marriage License in Boston

Boston marriage license applications go through the Registry Division of the City Clerk's office at City Hall, Room 213. The process is appointment-only, and both partners must appear together on the same day. This guide explains how to book your appointment, what to bring, what the fees are, and how the Boston system works from start to finish. Boston is in Suffolk County, and this page covers the city-specific process you need to follow as a Boston resident.

Getting a Marriage License in Boston

Boston handles marriage licenses through its Registry Division, which is part of the City Clerk's office. You cannot walk in. Every appointment must be booked online through the city's booking system at boston.gov. Once you book, you receive an email with a link to a pre-intention form. You must complete that form before you show up for your appointment. Arriving without having filled it out will slow things down and may affect your appointment time.

Both partners must be present at the same time. Massachusetts law under MGL c. 207 requires both applicants to appear in person. There are narrow exceptions: one partner may skip the appointment if they are on active military duty, are incarcerated, or face imminent death. These are genuine legal exceptions, not workarounds. In practice, the vast majority of couples come in together. Plan your appointment so both of you can be there at the same time.

After you apply, there is a mandatory 3-day waiting period before the license is issued. The day you apply does not count. So if you file on a Monday, you can pick up the license on Thursday at the earliest. Sundays and holidays are included in that count. The license is then valid for 60 days. Your ceremony must happen within that window.

Note: Boston's online booking system is the only way to schedule your appointment. There is no phone booking option for marriage license appointments at the Registry Division.

Boston Registry Division Clerk Office

The Registry Division operates out of Room 213 at City Hall and is the central office for all marriage-related services in Boston.

The process breaks down into four steps. First, book your appointment at boston.gov. Second, receive the pre-intention form by email and complete it. Third, both partners appear at Room 213 with valid photo ID, Social Security numbers, and the $50 fee. Fourth, wait out the 3-day period and then return to pick up your license. Keep track of the 60-day window from there.

The City Clerk's office oversees vital records for Boston residents, and the Registry Division is the specific unit that handles marriage intentions and license issuance.

What You Need for a Boston Marriage License

Proof of age is required, and there is a strict rule about what qualifies. Under MGL c. 207 § 33A, a driver's license is not accepted as proof of age, even though it has your birthdate on it. You need one of the following: a birth certificate, a passport, an I-94, or an I-551 (green card). Pick one and bring it. A state ID or driver's license will not work for this purpose, even in combination with other documents.

You also need your Social Security number. You do not have to bring the physical card; the clerk just needs the number itself to record on the application. If either of you was married before, be ready to answer how that marriage ended. The clerk will ask whether you are single, divorced, or widowed, and may request documentation. A divorce decree or a death certificate is the right thing to bring if it applies to your situation.

Both of you must be at least 18. Massachusetts raised the minimum marriage age to 18 in July 2022. There are no exceptions, no matter what. If either partner is under 18, no license can be issued in Boston or anywhere else in Massachusetts.

Note: Bring the $50 fee in the form of cash or check. Confirm accepted payment methods with the Registry Division at 617-635-4175 before your appointment.

Ceremonies at Boston City Hall

Boston City Hall offers wedding ceremonies inside the building. Ceremonies take place in Room 213 or Room 601, depending on availability. Each ceremony slot runs 15 minutes. The fee is $75, which is a separate charge from the $50 license fee. If you want to get married at City Hall, you book the ceremony through the same Registry Division that handles license applications.

This is a good option for couples who want a simple, legal ceremony without planning a larger event. The location is easy to reach, the cost is low, and the officiant is provided through the city. You still need your license first, so factor in the 3-day waiting period when you pick your ceremony date. Do not try to apply and hold the ceremony on the same day.

Massachusetts also allows judges, justices of the peace, and ordained clergy to perform marriages. For a full list of justices of the peace in Massachusetts, the state maintains a directory at mass.gov. One-Day Marriage Designation is another option: a friend or family member can get a one-time authorization to officiate your specific ceremony. That process runs through the Secretary of the Commonwealth's One-Day Marriage page. More details on court ceremonies are also at mass.gov's court wedding ceremony page.

If the 3-day wait creates a problem, you can apply for a waiver. The marriage without delay guide at mass.gov explains the process. You file at the Suffolk County Probate and Family Court, located at 24 New Chardon Street in Boston. The phone number there is 617-788-8300. The waiver fee is $195 and requires a judge to approve the request. Not every request is granted, so apply as soon as you know you need the waiver.

Getting Certified Copies of Your Boston Marriage Record

After your ceremony, the officiant is required to return the completed marriage license to the clerk under MGL c. 207 § 40. The clerk records the marriage and keeps the original. You do not keep the license after the ceremony. Once the clerk has processed it, you can request certified copies.

Certified copies come from two places. You can get them from the Boston Registry Division directly, or from the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. The RVRS is at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester, open Monday through Friday from 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM. Phone is 617-740-2600. The state office holds records from every city and town in Massachusetts. That makes it a solid backup if you need a copy and cannot make it to City Hall.

You can also request certified copies online through mass.gov's marriage certificate request page. Get at least two copies when you first order. You will need them for name changes, insurance, tax filings, and other legal purposes. Ordering more at once costs less per copy than returning multiple times. For more on the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, see their page at mass.gov.

Massachusetts Marriage License Resources

The state's main marriage guide at mass.gov/getting-married-in-massachusetts is a good starting point if you want a full overview of how the process works. It covers required documents, the 3-day waiting period, what the officiant must do after the ceremony, and how to get certified copies. The guide applies statewide, including Boston.

The full text of Massachusetts marriage law is at MGL Chapter 207. The statute covers age requirements, license procedures, waiting periods, officiant qualifications, and record-keeping rules after the ceremony. Local clerks follow this law directly, so reading it gives you a clear picture of what to expect and what you are entitled to.

Note: All Boston marriage license questions can go to registry@boston.gov or by phone at 617-635-4175 during weekday office hours.

Nearby Cities

These cities are close to Boston and each has its own marriage license page with local clerk information.

Suffolk County Marriage Licenses

Boston is part of Suffolk County. For information on how marriage licenses work across the full county, including other towns served by Suffolk County courts, visit the county page.