Marriage License in Lowell MA
Lowell marriage license applications are filed at the City Clerk's office in Room 31 at City Hall on Merrimack Street. Both applicants must appear together in person to file the notice of intention to marry. This guide covers the Lowell clerk's office details, what you need to bring, the 3-day waiting period, payment options, and how to get certified copies of your marriage record after the ceremony.
Lowell Overview
Lowell City Clerk's Office
The Lowell City Clerk page lists office hours, contact information, and services for marriage license applications.
The Lowell City Clerk is located in Room 31 at City Hall on Merrimack Street, and the office handles marriage intentions along with other vital records services for city residents.
| Office | Lowell City Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | City Hall, Room 31, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852 |
| Phone | 978-970-4161 / 978-674-4161 |
| Fax | 978-970-4162 |
| Hours | Mon/Wed/Thu: 8 AM - 5 PM | Tue: 8 AM - 8 PM | Fri: 8 AM - 12 PM |
| License Fee | $40 |
| Payment | Cash, check, or money order |
| Website | lowellma.gov - City Clerk |
Tuesday is the best day to go if you work a regular day shift. The Lowell City Clerk stays open until 8 PM on Tuesdays, which gives evening access that most other days don't offer. Friday hours are cut short, closing at noon. If you go on a Friday, arrive early. The $40 license fee must be paid in cash, check, or money order. Credit and debit cards are not accepted at the clerk's office, so come prepared.
Note: Call ahead before visiting on holidays or around city events, as the office schedule can shift.
What You Need for a Lowell Marriage License
Both applicants must appear in person together at the Lowell City Clerk's office. This is required under Massachusetts law. You cannot send just one person to file. The only exceptions are for people on active military duty, those who are incarcerated, or those facing imminent death. Outside those situations, both of you need to be there at the same time.
Proof of age is required, and the accepted documents are specific. Under MGL c. 207 § 33A, a driver's license does not work as proof of age for a marriage license. You need a birth certificate, passport, I-94, or I-551 (green card). Bring the physical document, not just a photo of it. Both applicants must also provide their Social Security numbers. You don't need the Social Security card itself, just the number.
If you were married before, be ready to explain how that marriage ended. Bring your divorce decree if you are divorced, or a death certificate if your prior spouse is deceased. Some clerks request to see the document; others just record the information. It's better to have it and not need it than to make a second trip to Lowell City Hall.
Massachusetts requires both parties to be at least 18 years old. The minimum age was raised to 18 in July 2022. There are no longer any exceptions, even with parental consent. This applies in Lowell the same as everywhere else in the state.
The 3-Day Wait and Lowell Marriage Process
After you file your notice of intention with the Lowell City Clerk, there is a mandatory 3-day waiting period. The day you apply is not counted. If you file on a Monday, Thursday is the earliest your license is ready and the earliest you can hold your ceremony. The license is valid for 60 days from the date you filed. Plan your ceremony date within that window or you'll have to apply again.
The Lowell City Clerk also handles online ordering for certified copies of marriage records. That is a separate service from the license application itself. The process for requesting copies is outlined at Lowell's certified copy request page. If you need copies soon after your ceremony, you can also visit the clerk's office in person during regular hours.
If you need to skip the 3-day wait, you must go through the courts. In Lowell, the Lowell District Court at 41 Hurd Street (phone: 978-459-4101) handles these waiver requests. There is also the option of applying to the Middlesex Probate and Family Court. The state explains this process at mass.gov's marriage without delay guide. The fee for a waiver is around $195, and a judge must approve it. Not all requests are granted.
Note: Apply for a waiver as early as possible if you need it; the court review takes time and approval is not guaranteed.
Officiants and the Ceremony
Once you have your Lowell marriage license in hand, you can hold your ceremony. The person who officiates must be legally authorized under Massachusetts law. Judges, justices of the peace, and ordained clergy can all perform marriages in the state. The state keeps a directory of justices of the peace if you need to find one near Lowell.
If you want a friend or family member to officiate, Massachusetts allows that through the One-Day Marriage Designation program. A person gets a one-time authorization to perform one specific ceremony. You apply through the Secretary of the Commonwealth at the One-Day Marriage portal. Apply early since processing takes time. The authorization is tied to the specific date and location of your ceremony.
After the ceremony, the officiant is required by law to return the license to the Lowell City Clerk. Under MGL c. 207 § 40, the license does not stay with you after the ceremony. The clerk records the marriage and files the original. Once that happens, certified copies become available. More details about the overall process are on the state's main guide at mass.gov/getting-married-in-massachusetts.
Certified Copies of Lowell Marriage Records
After the Lowell City Clerk records your marriage, you can get certified copies from the clerk's office or from the state. The state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester holds records from all Massachusetts cities, including Lowell. The RVRS can be reached at 617-740-2600. Visit the RVRS page for more details on requesting copies from the state office.
You can also order certified copies directly from Lowell through the city's online system. The Lowell City Clerk's office has a dedicated page for this at lowellma.gov. Certified copies are what you need for changing your name, updating insurance or bank accounts, filing joint taxes, and other legal purposes. Order more than one copy up front, as you'll likely need them at different times and re-ordering later is an extra trip or mailing.
Nearby Cities with Marriage License Pages
These cities are near Lowell and each has its own city clerk for marriage license applications. You must apply in the city or town where you or your partner lives.
Other communities near Lowell include Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, and Billerica. Each has its own town clerk who handles marriage license filings for their residents.
Middlesex County Marriage Licenses
Lowell is one of two county seats in Middlesex County, the largest county by population in Massachusetts. Marriage licenses in Lowell are issued by the City Clerk rather than a county-level office. For a full overview of marriage license offices and requirements across Middlesex County, visit the county page.