Somerville Marriage License

The Somerville marriage license application is handled by the Somerville City Clerk at City Hall on Highland Avenue. Both applicants must appear together in person to file their notice of intention to marry. Somerville has extended hours on Thursdays and inclusive policies on marriage certificates. This page covers what you need, the fees, hours, the 3-day wait, and how to get certified copies after your ceremony.

Somerville City Clerk's Office

The Somerville City Clerk's office at 93 Highland Avenue is where all marriage license applications for Somerville residents are processed, and the page above provides current details on the full application process.

Thursday is the one day each week when Somerville City Hall stays open late for marriage license services, until 7 PM. That evening window is the most useful option for anyone who works a standard 9-to-5. Monday through Wednesday the office closes at 4 PM, and Friday is a half day closing at noon. If you can only go on a Friday, get there early. The $50 license fee is higher than some nearby cities, so come with the right payment form.

Note: Check somervillema.gov for current information before your visit, as hours can vary around city holidays and events.

What You Need to Apply in Somerville

Both applicants must be present together at the Somerville City Clerk's office to file the notice of intention to marry. This is required under Massachusetts law and is not waived for convenience. The only narrow exceptions apply to active military personnel, people who are incarcerated, and people facing imminent death. If none of those apply, you both need to walk in at the same time.

Proof of age is mandatory, and a driver's license does not qualify. Under MGL c. 207 § 33A, the accepted documents are a birth certificate, a valid passport, an I-94, or an I-551 (green card). Bring the original or a certified copy of whichever document you have. A photo on your phone will not be accepted. Both applicants also need to provide their Social Security numbers. You don't need the card, just the number written down or memorized.

If you were married before, the clerk will need to know how that marriage ended. Bring your divorce decree if you are divorced, or a death certificate if your prior spouse passed away. Some clerks ask to see the document; others just note the information you provide. It's simpler to have it ready than to make a second trip to City Hall.

Both people must be at least 18 years old. Massachusetts law was updated in July 2022 to set a firm minimum age of 18, with no exceptions for parental consent or court approval. This rule applies across the state including Somerville.

Somerville's 3-Day Waiting Period

After you file your notice of intention with the Somerville City Clerk, you must wait 3 days before you can pick up your license and hold your ceremony. The day you apply does not count as day one. File on a Monday and the earliest your license is ready is Thursday. File on a Thursday evening during extended hours, and the 3-day count runs from Friday.

The license stays valid for 60 days from the date you filed your intentions. Your ceremony must take place within that window. If it doesn't, you have to start over and file again. Plan your ceremony date before you file so you know you're working within the 60-day period. Most couples give themselves a comfortable buffer between filing and the ceremony date.

If you have a specific reason to need the license sooner, you can apply for a waiver of the 3-day wait. The waiver process goes through the Middlesex Probate and Family Court or a district court. The state describes the process at mass.gov's marriage without delay page. A judge must sign off on the request, and the fee is around $195. Approval is not automatic, so apply as soon as you know you need it.

Note: Even if a waiver is approved, you still need to pick up the license from the Somerville City Clerk before you can hold the ceremony.

Who Can Officiate Your Somerville Ceremony

Massachusetts allows several types of officiants to perform marriage ceremonies. Judges, justices of the peace, and ordained clergy are all legally authorized. If you want a professional who does this regularly, check the state's justice of the peace directory. Many justices of the peace serve the Somerville area and are available on short notice.

If you want a friend or family member to officiate, Massachusetts offers the One-Day Marriage Designation program through the Secretary of the Commonwealth. A person gets a one-time authorization to perform one specific ceremony. You apply at the One-Day Marriage portal. The authorization is tied to the date and location of your ceremony, so apply with accurate details. Give yourself enough time for the application to be processed before your ceremony date.

Somerville has progressive policies on marriage certificates. The city does not impose gender requirements on how names are recorded on certificates, reflecting inclusive practices that some couples specifically look for when choosing where to apply.

After your ceremony, the officiant is required to return the Somerville marriage license to the City Clerk under MGL c. 207 § 40. The license belongs with the clerk after the ceremony, not with you. The clerk records the marriage and keeps the original on file. Once that's done, certified copies are available for you to request.

Certified Copies of Your Somerville Marriage Record

Once the Somerville City Clerk records your marriage, you can request certified copies of the marriage certificate. Copies are $15 each from the Somerville clerk's office. You'll need them for a name change, updating your Social Security record, changing your driver's license, updating insurance, and filing joint taxes, among other things. Most people need more than one copy and it's easier to get them all at once.

The state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) also keeps records from every city and town in Massachusetts, including Somerville. The RVRS is at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester and can be reached at 617-740-2600. You can request certified copies from the state office even if you've moved away from Somerville. More information about the RVRS and how to request copies is at the RVRS page on mass.gov.

For details specific to Somerville, including current fees and the process, visit the state marriage guide and the Somerville marriage page.

Nearby Cities with Marriage License Pages

These cities are close to Somerville and each has its own clerk office for marriage license applications. Apply at the clerk in the city or town where you or your partner lives.

Other nearby communities include Arlington, Belmont, and Waltham. Each has its own town clerk who handles marriage licenses for residents.

Middlesex County Marriage Licenses

Somerville is in Middlesex County, and the Somerville City Clerk handles all marriage license applications for city residents. There is no county-level office that issues licenses in Middlesex County. For a full overview of how marriage licenses work across the county, including other cities and towns, visit the Middlesex County page.

View Middlesex County Marriage License Info