Find a Marriage License in Plymouth County

Plymouth County marriage licenses are issued by individual city and town clerks across the county. Brockton, Plymouth Town, and every other municipality each run their own clerk office under Massachusetts law. This guide covers where to go, what to bring, how the process works in the county's two major cities, and what to expect from the 3-day waiting period for your Plymouth County marriage license.

How Marriage Licenses Work in Plymouth County

There is no single Plymouth County marriage clerk. Massachusetts eliminated most active county-level government functions a long time ago, and vital records like marriage licenses have always been handled at the town or city level. Each of the county's municipalities has its own clerk, its own hours, and sometimes its own specific process. The clerk you visit is the one in the town where you or your partner lives.

Both partners must appear in person together. That is a firm rule under MGL Chapter 207. The law allows narrow exceptions: one partner may be excused if they are on active military duty, are incarcerated, or face imminent death. If neither of those situations applies, both people must come in at the same time and sign the application together. Sending a representative or signing on separate visits is not allowed.

The minimum age for marriage in Massachusetts is 18, set by MGL c. 207 § 7. The state raised the minimum age in July 2022 and removed all exceptions. There is no longer any path to a marriage license for anyone under 18, even with parental approval or a judge's order. Every Plymouth County clerk will turn away applicants who cannot demonstrate they are at least 18.

After you file, there is a 3-day waiting period before the license is ready. The day you apply does not count toward that total. The wait includes Sundays and public holidays. So if you file on a Monday, Thursday is the earliest you can pick up the license. The license stays valid for 60 days from the application date. If you need to skip the wait, a Probate Court waiver is available under MGL c. 207 § 30 for around $195.

Plymouth Town Marriage Intentions

Plymouth Town has an online process for starting your marriage license application before you come in. You complete the marriage intention paperwork online first, then both partners appear in person at the Town Clerk's Office to sign, file, take an oath, and pay the fee. This two-step approach is different from most clerks in the county, where everything is done in one in-person visit. The online portion speeds up the appointment but does not replace it.

Complete the online form before your visit to the Town Clerk's office to save time on the day of your appointment.

The steps for Plymouth are: first, complete the online marriage intention paperwork on the town website. Second, both partners appear together at the Town Clerk's Office. Third, sign and file the intention and take the required oath. Fourth, pay the $40 fee. Fifth, return after the 3-day wait to pick up the license. The online step is required, not optional. Do not show up without completing it first.

Note: Plymouth Town is one of the few municipalities in the county that has moved part of its marriage license process online, which makes the in-person visit shorter and more predictable.

Brockton City Clerk Marriage Licenses

Brockton is the largest city in Plymouth County and one of the larger cities in Massachusetts. The City Clerk's office at Brockton City Hall handles all marriage license applications for Brockton residents. City Hall is located at 45 School Street, and the clerk's office is on site with standard weekday hours.

Brockton residents apply at 45 School Street. Both partners must appear together. Check the city clerk's section of the Brockton city website for any updates to hours or procedures before you visit. City Hall offices can adjust their schedule around holidays and municipal events, and calling ahead on 508-580-7114 takes only a minute. The city is large enough that the clerk handles a significant volume of applications on a regular basis, so the staff is experienced with the process.

What to Bring to a Plymouth County Clerk

Every clerk in Plymouth County follows the same state document rules. You need to prove your age, and a driver's license or state ID is not accepted for that purpose. Under MGL c. 207 § 33A, the acceptable documents are a birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, an I-94, or an I-551 (permanent resident card). Bring one of these for each partner. Many people are surprised that their license won't work for this step, so plan ahead.

You also need to provide your Social Security number. You do not need the physical card, just the number itself. The clerk will record it on the application. If either partner was previously married, the clerk will ask how that marriage ended. Be ready to state whether you are single, divorced, or widowed. If you are divorced or widowed, bring your divorce decree or death certificate. Some clerks ask for the document and some just ask verbally, but having it with you avoids any delay.

Most Plymouth County clerks accept cash, check, or money order. Credit and debit cards are less commonly accepted at town-level offices. Confirm the accepted payment methods when you call to ask about hours, and bring the right form of payment to avoid a second trip. Fees in the county run around $40, though individual towns may set their own amounts within the range allowed by state law.

State Resources for Plymouth County Couples

The state provides clear online guidance that applies across every city and town in Plymouth County. The main reference is the marriage guide at mass.gov/getting-married-in-massachusetts. That page covers document requirements, the waiting period, how to pick up the license, and what happens after the ceremony. It is the first place to go when you start planning.

The full text of Massachusetts marriage law is at MGL Chapter 207. This is the statute that every Plymouth County clerk works under. It defines who can marry, what documents are required, how long the waiting period lasts, who can perform a ceremony, and how the record gets filed afterward. If you have a specific question about whether something is permitted, this is the most direct place to look for an answer.

If the 3-day wait is a problem for your timeline, the state has a guide on the waiver process at mass.gov/guides/marriage-without-delay. The waiver goes through the Probate and Family Court and costs around $195 under MGL c. 207 § 30. It requires a judge's approval and is not automatically granted. If you think you need one, apply early.

Note: Plymouth County couples can also contact the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics in Dorchester to request certified copies after the clerk records your marriage.

After Your Plymouth County Wedding

After the ceremony, the officiant is responsible for returning the signed license to the clerk's office where you originally filed. This is required by MGL c. 207 § 40. The clerk records the marriage and keeps the original on file. Do not hold onto the license after the ceremony. Once it is signed, it belongs with the clerk. The couple does not keep the original marriage license document.

Once the clerk has recorded the marriage, you can order certified copies. You can get them directly from the city or town clerk where you filed, or from the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester. The RVRS is open Monday through Friday from 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM and can be reached at 617-740-2600. The registry keeps records from every municipality in the state. You can get a copy through them even if you have moved away from Plymouth County. For instructions on requesting a copy online, see mass.gov/how-to/request-a-marriage-certificate.

For your officiant, Massachusetts allows judges, justices of the peace, and ordained clergy to perform ceremonies. A friend or family member can also be designated through the One-Day Marriage Designation process managed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth at sec.state.ma.us. A searchable list of justices of the peace across the state is available at mass.gov/info-details/justice-of-the-peace.

Cities in Plymouth County

These Plymouth County cities have dedicated marriage license pages with detailed local information on clerk offices, fees, and procedures.

Other towns in Plymouth County include Abington, Bridgewater, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Lakeville, Marion, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, Middleborough, Norwell, Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Rockland, Scituate, Wareham, West Bridgewater, and Whitman. Each town has its own clerk who handles marriage license applications for residents.

Nearby Counties

Plymouth County borders several other Massachusetts counties. If you live near a county line, confirm which county your town falls in before visiting a clerk's office. Your license must come from the town where you or your partner lives, not simply any convenient nearby office.