Get a Marriage License in Cambridge MA
A Cambridge marriage license comes from the Cambridge City Clerk at City Hall on Massachusetts Avenue. The office handles all marriage intentions for Cambridge residents, and both applicants must appear together in person. This page covers the full process, what documents to bring, how the 3-day wait works, and what to do after your ceremony in Cambridge.
Cambridge Overview
Cambridge City Clerk Marriage License Office
The Cambridge City Clerk's office is located at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139. This is where you file your notice of intention to marry. Both you and your partner must go together at the same time. There are no exceptions to this rule unless your situation falls under one of the narrow exemptions in Massachusetts law, such as active military service or incarceration.
| Office | Cambridge City Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 |
| Phone | 617-349-4260 |
| cityclerk@cambridgema.gov | |
| Monday Hours | Until 8:00 PM (extended) |
| Regular Hours | Monday through Friday |
| License Fee | $35 |
| Appointments | Online booking available |
| Website | cambridgema.gov - City Clerk |
Cambridge offers extended hours on Monday evenings until 8 PM. This makes it easier for working couples who can't get to City Hall during the day. You can book an appointment online through the city clerk's website, which helps avoid long waits. Same-day processing for the notice of intention is standard once you arrive and complete the application with the clerk.
Note: Check the city clerk's website before your visit since hours can change around holidays and during busy periods.
What to Bring to the Cambridge Clerk's Office
You need to prove your age when you apply. Under MGL c. 207 § 33A, a driver's license does not count as proof of age for a marriage license. This catches a lot of people off guard. You need one of the following: a birth certificate, a valid passport, an I-94, or an I-551 (green card). Any one of these works. Your state ID will not.
You also need your Social Security number. You don't need the card itself, just the number. The clerk will enter it on the application. If either of you was previously married, be ready to answer questions about how that marriage ended. Most clerks ask if you are single, divorced, or widowed. Bring a divorce decree or a death certificate if it applies to your situation. Some clerks may ask to see the document; others just note the information verbally.
Both people sign the application at the same time, in front of the clerk. You can't send one person in to start and have the other follow up later. The process only works when you're both present. Cambridge's online booking system lets you schedule a specific time slot, so you both know when to show up and what to expect when you get there.
Massachusetts Marriage License Rules
The state's main guide on getting married in Massachusetts covers the full process from filing your intentions to getting certified copies after the ceremony.
The mass.gov marriage guide explains requirements, waiting periods, and what to do after your ceremony is recorded.
The state guide applies to Cambridge applicants just as it does to any other city in Massachusetts, since all clerks follow the same rules under MGL Chapter 207.
Massachusetts requires a 3-day waiting period after you file your notice of intention. The day you apply does not count. So if you go in on a Monday, the earliest the license is ready for pickup and the earliest you can have your ceremony is Thursday. The license stays valid for 60 days from the date you filed. If your ceremony doesn't happen within that window, you'll need to start over and file again.
Cambridge residents who need to skip the 3-day wait can apply for a waiver through the Middlesex Probate and Family Court. The process is described at mass.gov's marriage without delay page. A judge must approve the request, and the fee is around $195. Not every request is approved, so apply as early as you can if you need it.
Planning Your Cambridge Wedding
Cambridge is home to a large number of officiants and ceremony venues. The city clerk's office itself does not perform civil ceremonies, but it can point you in the right direction. You have several options for who can legally marry you in Massachusetts.
The state's pre-wedding guide covers officiants, One-Day Marriage Designation, and how to prepare for your ceremony.
The pre-wedding guide is useful for couples who want a friend or family member to officiate, since it explains how the One-Day Marriage Designation process works.
Judges, justices of the peace, and ordained clergy may all perform marriages in Massachusetts. If you want a friend or family member to officiate, the state's One-Day Marriage Designation allows that. A person gets a one-time authorization to officiate one specific ceremony. You apply through the Secretary of the Commonwealth at the One-Day Marriage portal. The state also maintains a directory of justices of the peace if you want someone who does this regularly.
Once your ceremony is done, the officiant is required to return the marriage license to the Cambridge City Clerk under MGL c. 207 § 40. The clerk records the marriage and files the original. You cannot keep the license after the ceremony. It goes back to the clerk.
Getting Certified Copies in Cambridge
After the Cambridge City Clerk records your marriage, you can request certified copies of the marriage certificate. You can get them from the Cambridge clerk's office directly. You can also get them from the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester, which can be reached at 617-740-2600. The RVRS keeps records from every city and town in Massachusetts.
Certified copies are what you need for a name change, updating insurance records, filing taxes jointly, and many other uses. Most people find they need more than one copy over time. It's generally cheaper to order several at once rather than returning later for extras.
For more information about the RVRS and certified copies, visit the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics page on mass.gov. You can also visit Cambridge's marriage license page for local information about copies and fees.
Note: The RVRS holds records from all Massachusetts cities, so you can get a certified copy from the state office even after you've moved away from Cambridge.
Nearby Cities with Marriage License Pages
These cities are close to Cambridge. Each has its own city clerk who handles marriage license applications for residents of that city.
Other nearby communities in Middlesex County include Malden, Everett, Belmont, and Watertown. Each town has its own clerk for marriage license applications.
Middlesex County Marriage Licenses
Cambridge is one of two county seats in Middlesex County, the most populous county in Massachusetts. All Cambridge marriage license applications go through the City Clerk's office at City Hall. For a broader look at marriage license offices, fees, and procedures across Middlesex County, visit the county page.