Bristol County Marriage License

A Bristol County marriage license comes from the city or town clerk where you or your partner lives. Bristol County's county government was abolished in 1997, so there is no central county office to visit. New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton each run their own offices with separate hours, fees, and local policies. This guide covers what to bring, where to go, how much to pay, and what happens after your ceremony anywhere in Bristol County, Massachusetts.

How Marriage Licenses Work in Bristol County

Bristol County is in southeastern Massachusetts. The county government was formally abolished in 1997. That means no county clerk exists to issue marriage licenses. Each city and town runs its own vital records office. If you live in New Bedford, you go to the New Bedford City Clerk. Taunton residents go to the Taunton City Clerk. The same logic applies to every other community in the county, from Attleboro to Westport.

Both partners must appear in person at the same time to apply. This is a firm requirement under MGL Chapter 207. The clerk will not process a single-applicant form. Exceptions apply only in narrow circumstances: one partner may be excused if they are on active military duty, are currently incarcerated, or face imminent death due to illness or injury. Outside those situations, you both need to show up together with your documents in hand.

The minimum age to marry in Massachusetts is 18. That threshold was set in July 2022 when the state closed off all prior exceptions for younger applicants. There is no longer any path for a person under 18 to marry in Massachusetts, regardless of parental consent or court order. Under MGL c. 207 § 7, both people must be at least 18. Clerks across Bristol County will check before processing any application.

Note: Bristol County's three main cities all charge between $35 and $40 for a marriage license, but their payment rules vary considerably from office to office.

Required Documents for a Bristol County Marriage License

Proof of age is one area where people often run into trouble. Massachusetts does not accept a driver's license or state ID as proof of age under MGL c. 207 § 33A. This catches many people off guard. You need a birth certificate, a valid passport, an I-94, or an I-551 (green card). Any one of those works. A standard photo ID does not.

You also need your Social Security number. The clerk records it on the application form, but you do not need the physical card. Just know the number. If either of you was previously married, most clerks will ask how that marriage ended. Some ask for a divorce decree or a death certificate as supporting documentation. Bring those just in case, even if you are not sure they are required at the specific office you are visiting. It is better to have them and not need them than to make a second trip.

There is a 3-day waiting period after you file your application. The day you apply does not count. Sundays and holidays do count. File on a Monday and the earliest possible ceremony date is Thursday. If that wait is a problem, a court waiver is available under MGL c. 207 § 30. The cost is roughly $195 and a judge must approve the request. The state guide on skipping the wait is at mass.gov/guides/marriage-without-delay.

Taunton Marriage License Office

Taunton is the county seat of Bristol County. The City Clerk's office sits on the first floor of City Hall at 15 Summer Street and handles all marriage license applications for city residents. Taunton has one of the more detailed setups in the county. They charge $35 for the license and $100 if you want the clerk to officiate a civil ceremony on-site. Both fees are cash only. No cards and no checks are accepted under any circumstances.

Taunton's marriage license page is one of the clearer ones in Bristol County, with fees and extended Tuesday hours listed right on the page.

Jennifer Leger serves as the Taunton City Clerk and can be reached by phone or email at the contact details listed above.

Tuesday is the best day to go if you work a normal weekday schedule. The office is open until 7 PM on Tuesdays, which is the only evening window available in the week. Friday hours end at noon, so do not plan to show up late on a Friday. If you want a ceremony, that takes place in Council Chambers on the second floor. It runs about 15 minutes. No witnesses are required for the civil ceremony itself, which makes it a low-barrier option for couples who want to keep things simple.

Note: Taunton is strictly cash only for every fee, so bring exact change or enough cash to cover the license and any copies you need that day.

New Bedford Marriage License Services

New Bedford is the largest city in Bristol County. The City Clerk's office at City Hall processes all marriage license applications for New Bedford residents. The fee is $40. New Bedford stands out from most Massachusetts cities because it requires birth certificates at the time of application. This is more than what many offices ask for. A passport alone may not be enough here even though it satisfies the proof-of-age rule under MGL c. 207 § 33A. Bring your birth certificate regardless of what other documents you have.

New Bedford's city site is the best starting point for residents seeking contact details and hours for the City Clerk's office.

The New Bedford City Clerk also serves as a Justice of the Peace. That means you can ask the clerk to perform your ceremony at the same office where you applied for the license. This is a practical option for couples who want a simple, official ceremony without organizing a separate event or finding an outside officiant. Ask about scheduling when you apply. The 3-day waiting period still applies before any ceremony can take place.

Fall River Marriage License Office

Fall River is a major city in southern Bristol County near the Rhode Island border. The City Clerk at Fall River City Hall handles marriage license applications for all Fall River residents. The license fee is $40. One thing that sets Fall River apart from other Bristol County offices is that it accepts credit cards. Taunton is cash only. Fall River is not. That flexibility matters if carrying cash is inconvenient for you.

Fall River's site is the best place to confirm current clerk hours and any updated fee information for marriage license applications.

Both partners must appear together at the Fall River City Clerk's office. The same state law that applies in every Massachusetts city applies here. Bring proof of age that satisfies MGL c. 207 § 33A. A driver's license will not work. A birth certificate, passport, I-94, or green card will. Check the city's website for current office hours before you go, as they can shift around holidays or during staffing changes.

Note: Fall River is one of the few Bristol County offices that publicly accepts credit card payment, which makes it a more flexible choice for couples who prefer not to carry cash.

After Your Bristol County Ceremony

When your ceremony ends, the officiant must return the signed marriage license to the city or town clerk's office where it was originally issued. State law requires this under MGL c. 207 § 40. The clerk records the marriage and keeps the original license on file. You do not hold onto the license after the ceremony. The officiant handles the return.

Once the clerk records the marriage, you can request certified copies. The simplest option is to go back to the same clerk's office. You can also request copies through the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, which is at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester. Their phone number is 617-740-2600, and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM. The RVRS website has full instructions for requesting copies by mail or in person. The state office holds records from every city and town in Massachusetts, so you can get a copy even if you have moved away from Bristol County.

Order at least two certified copies when you first request them. You will likely need them for a name change at the Social Security Administration, the RMV, and your bank. Getting multiple copies at once tends to cost less per copy than requesting them one at a time later.

For officiants, Massachusetts allows judges, justices of the peace, and ordained clergy to perform marriages. If you want a friend or family member to officiate, the One-Day Marriage Designation is an option. Apply through the Secretary of Commonwealth's One-Day Marriage portal. It gives a private person a one-time state authorization to perform a single ceremony. For a full list of available justices of the peace, see the directory at mass.gov/info-details/justice-of-the-peace.

Massachusetts Marriage License Laws and Resources

Every Bristol County clerk office operates under MGL Chapter 207, the state statute that covers all aspects of marriage in Massachusetts. The chapter sets age requirements, defines who may marry, establishes the waiting period, specifies what documents are required, outlines who may perform ceremonies, and describes how records must be kept and returned. Reading the statute is the most direct way to answer a specific legal question about your situation.

The state's main marriage guide at mass.gov/getting-married-in-massachusetts covers the full process in plain language. It walks through every step from applying for the license to getting certified copies after the ceremony. The guide is worth reading before you visit any clerk's office in Bristol County.

Note: All Bristol County offices follow the same state statute, so the core requirements are identical regardless of whether you apply in New Bedford, Fall River, or Taunton.

Cities in Bristol County

These Bristol County cities have dedicated marriage license pages with detailed local office information.

Other communities in Bristol County include Attleboro, Dartmouth, Easton, Fairhaven, Mansfield, North Attleborough, Norton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, and Westport. Each has its own town clerk who handles marriage license applications for local residents.

Nearby Counties

Bristol County borders several other Massachusetts counties. If you live near a county line, confirm which county your town is in before visiting any clerk's office. Your license must come from the town where you or your partner lives.