Norfolk County Marriage License

Getting a marriage license in Norfolk County means visiting the city or town clerk where you or your partner lives. Quincy, Brookline, Weymouth, and every other town in the county each run their own clerk office. This guide covers what you need, where to go, how much it costs, and what to expect from the process in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.

How Marriage Licenses Work in Norfolk County

Norfolk County does not have a single county clerk that issues marriage licenses. That is not how Massachusetts works. Each city and town manages its own vital records, and the marriage license comes from the clerk in the town where you or your partner lives. This has been the structure for a long time, and it means every Norfolk County town has its own office, its own hours, and sometimes its own fee.

You must apply in person. Both of you need to show up together at the same time. There are limited exceptions to this rule: one partner may be excused if they are on active military duty, are incarcerated, or face imminent death. Outside of those narrow situations, the clerk will expect both people to come in together and sign the application at the same time.

Under MGL c. 207, both parties must be at least 18 years old. Massachusetts raised the minimum age to 18 in July 2022. There are no longer any exceptions for younger applicants, even with parental consent. If either of you is under 18, you cannot get a marriage license in Norfolk County or anywhere else in the state.

Note: The license is valid for 60 days from the date you file the application, so plan your ceremony date accordingly.

What You Need for a Norfolk County Marriage License

Proof of age is required, and the rules on what counts are strict. Under MGL c. 207 § 33A, a driver's license is not accepted as proof of age. This surprises many people. You need to bring a birth certificate, a passport, an I-94, or an I-551 (green card). Any one of those will work. A state ID or license will not.

You also need your Social Security number. You do not need to bring the card itself, just know the number. The clerk will record it on the application. If you were previously married, come prepared to explain how that marriage ended. Most clerks ask whether you are single, divorced, or widowed, and some may ask for documentation. Bring your divorce decree or a death certificate if it applies to you.

There is a 3-day waiting period after you file. That count includes Sundays and holidays but does not include the day you apply. So if you file on a Monday, the earliest you can pick up the license and hold the ceremony is Thursday. If you need to skip the wait, you can apply for a waiver through the Probate or District Court. The waiver costs around $195 under MGL c. 207 § 30 and requires a judge's approval.

Quincy Marriage License Office

Quincy is the largest city in Norfolk County, with a population over 100,000. The City Clerk's office at City Hall handles all marriage license applications for Quincy residents. Known as the "City of Presidents" (four U.S. presidents were born in or near Quincy), the city has a busy clerk's office that serves a large and diverse population.

If you live in Quincy, you apply here. The office is on Hancock Street in downtown Quincy, close to the MBTA Red Line. Both partners must appear together. Check the city clerk's website for current hours before you visit, as hours can change around holidays.

Note: Quincy City Hall does not have dedicated marriage license hours, so calling ahead is a good idea before making the trip.

Brookline Marriage License Services

Brookline is a large town that borders Boston on multiple sides. Its Town Clerk handles marriage licenses for all Brookline residents. The office is at Town Hall on Washington Street, which is also home to several other town services. Brookline has set weekday hours with a shorter window on Fridays.

Brookline's office is open Monday through Thursday with limited Friday hours until 12:30 PM.

Plan your visit before Friday afternoon if you want full service. The office closes at 12:30 PM on Fridays, which is earlier than most people expect. Monday through Thursday gives you the most time to work with if questions come up or you need to gather additional paperwork.

Weymouth Marriage License Office

Weymouth is one of the easiest places in Norfolk County to get a marriage license. The Town Clerk's office at 75 Middle Street operates on a walk-in basis. No appointment is needed. Just show up during business hours, both partners together, and the staff will process your application on the spot.

Unlike many offices, Weymouth operates on a walk-in basis only with no appointments needed.

Weymouth does not accept credit or debit cards. Bring cash, a check, or a money order. The license itself costs $35, and certified copies are $15 each. Most people need at least one certified copy, so factor that into what you bring. The fee schedule is posted online if you want to confirm costs before your visit.

The fee schedule confirms the $35 license fee and $15 certified copy cost, which reflects the typical range across Norfolk County towns.

Note: Weymouth is one of the few Norfolk County towns that publicly posts its full fee schedule online, which makes it easy to come prepared.

After Your Norfolk County Ceremony

Once your ceremony is done, the officiant is responsible for returning the marriage license to the town clerk. This is required under MGL c. 207 § 40. The clerk records the marriage and keeps the original on file. Do not try to hold onto the license yourself after the ceremony. It belongs with the clerk.

After the clerk records the marriage, you can request certified copies. You can get them from the town or city clerk where you filed, or from the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS) at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester. The RVRS is open Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM, and can be reached at 617-740-2600. The state office keeps records from every city and town in Massachusetts, so you can get a copy even if you moved away from Norfolk County. For more information on getting certified copies, visit the RVRS website.

Certified copies are used for name changes, updating insurance records, filing taxes jointly, and many other purposes. Get at least two copies when you first request them. It is cheaper per copy when you order in bulk, and you will likely need more than one over time.

If you need someone to perform your ceremony, the state maintains a list of officiants. Judges, justices of the peace, and ordained clergy may all perform marriages in Massachusetts. One-Day Marriage Designation is also an option. Under this process, a friend or family member gets a one-time authorization to officiate one specific ceremony. Find details at the Secretary of Commonwealth's One-Day Marriage page. For a full list of justices of the peace in the state, see mass.gov's justice of the peace directory.

Massachusetts Marriage License Resources

The state has several useful pages for people planning to marry in Norfolk County. The main guide at mass.gov/getting-married-in-massachusetts covers the full process from start to finish. It explains what documents you need, what happens during the 3-day wait, and how to get your license after the ceremony is recorded.

If the 3-day wait is a problem, there is a separate guide on the waiver process. The page at mass.gov/guides/marriage-without-delay explains how to apply to a Probate or District Court for emergency authorization. This option exists for urgent situations. It costs around $195 and requires a judge to approve the request. Not every request is granted, so apply as soon as you know you need it.

The full text of Massachusetts marriage law is at MGL Chapter 207. The statute covers age requirements, prohibited marriages, the license process, waiting periods, officiants, and record-keeping rules. It is the source for all the rules that local clerks follow. If you have a specific question about whether something is allowed, the statute is the best place to look.

Note: All Norfolk County clerks follow state law under MGL Chapter 207, so the core process is the same in every town even if hours and fees vary.

Cities in Norfolk County

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

Other towns in Norfolk County include Dedham, Milton, Needham, Norwood, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Wellesley, Westwood, and Wrentham. Each has its own town clerk who handles marriage license applications for residents.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Norfolk County. If you live near a county line, check which county your town is in before visiting a clerk's office. Your license must come from the town where you or your partner lives, not just any nearby office.