Suffolk County Marriage License Guide
Getting a marriage license in Suffolk County means working with the city or town clerk where you plan to apply, since the county government was abolished in 1999. Boston, Revere, Chelsea, and Winthrop each run their own marriage license process. Boston, in particular, has a strict appointment-only system that sets it apart from most other places in Massachusetts, so knowing the rules before you go can save you a wasted trip.
Suffolk County Overview
Who Issues Marriage Licenses in Suffolk County
Suffolk County no longer has a county government. It was abolished in 1999. That means there is no county clerk to contact. Instead, each city and town has its own clerk who handles marriage licenses. The four communities in what was Suffolk County are Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. Each one has its own office, its own hours, and its own rules.
You do not have to apply in the town where you live. Massachusetts law allows you to get a marriage license from any city or town clerk in the state. That said, most couples choose a clerk close to home or close to where the ceremony will take place. If you live in Boston, you will likely use the Boston Registry Division. If you live in Revere, you can use Revere's City Clerk. The license is valid anywhere in Massachusetts once it is issued, so the location of your ceremony does not limit where you apply.
The state guide at mass.gov has a full overview of the marriage license process across all of Massachusetts. It covers residency, age, ID requirements, and what happens after the ceremony.
Note: Under MGL Chapter 207, marriage licenses are issued by city and town clerks statewide, not by county offices. Suffolk County follows this same structure.
Boston Marriage License: Registry Division
The Boston Registry Division is the office to contact if you want a marriage license in Boston. It sits in Room 213 of Boston City Hall at 1 City Hall Square. The phone number is 617-635-4175, and you can email the office at registry@boston.gov. Hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The fee is $50.
Boston requires an appointment. This is not optional. Couples who walk in without one will be turned away. You book online through the Boston city website, then receive a confirmation email with the Marriage Intention form attached. Both partners fill out the form before the appointment. On the day of your visit, both people must appear together in person. Bring a valid photo ID, your Social Security number, and $50 in payment. After you file, you wait three days, then return to pick up the license.
The appointment requirement is unusual. Most Massachusetts cities and towns allow walk-ins. Boston put this system in place to manage the high volume of applications it receives. Spring and summer are especially busy. Book as early as you can, especially if your ceremony date is firm. Delays in getting an appointment can push back your wedding plans if you are not careful.
The Boston City Clerk's official page outlines all vital records services, including marriage licensing through the Registry Division.
The Registry Division, based in Room 213 of Boston City Hall, handles all marriage license applications and appointments for the city.
| Office | Boston Registry Division (City Clerk) |
|---|---|
| Address |
1 City Hall Square, Room 213 Boston, MA 02201-2006 |
| Phone | 617-635-4175 |
| registry@boston.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Fee | $50 |
| Appointments | Required, no walk-ins accepted |
| Website | boston.gov: How to Get Married in Boston |
Appointment Only: Boston City Hall does not accept walk-in marriage license applications. Book your appointment online at boston.gov well before your ceremony date. Spring and summer slots fill up fast.
Marriage Ceremonies at Boston City Hall
Boston offers civil wedding ceremonies at City Hall for $75. The ceremonies take place in Room 213 or Room 601 and last about 15 minutes. You need to have your marriage license in hand before booking a ceremony. This is a popular option for couples who want a simple, official wedding without renting a separate venue.
City Hall ceremonies are performed by the City Clerk's staff. They are legal and recognized the same as any other ceremony in Massachusetts. The $75 fee covers the ceremony itself. You still pay the $50 license fee separately. So the total cost for a license and city hall ceremony in Boston comes to $125. That is one of the more affordable legal wedding options in the area.
Note: Ceremony slots at Boston City Hall can book out weeks in advance during peak wedding season. Confirm availability when you schedule your license appointment.
Revere Marriage License: City Clerk
Revere's City Clerk office handles marriage licenses for residents of Revere. The office is at 281 Broadway in Revere. Call 781-286-8160 for questions. Regular hours run Monday through Thursday, 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM. Friday hours are by appointment only.
Revere charges $50 for a marriage license. The city also offers wedding ceremonies for $100. One feature that sets Revere apart is bilingual service. The office provides marriage license assistance and wedding ceremonies in both English and Spanish. This makes Revere a practical option for Spanish-speaking couples in the Boston area who want to work with staff in their first language.
Revere's city clerk page covers the marriage license process and the city's bilingual ceremony services.
Revere offers wedding ceremonies in both English and Spanish, which makes it an accessible option for bilingual couples in the Boston area.
| Office | Revere City Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 281 Broadway, Revere, MA |
| Phone | 781-286-8160 |
| Hours | Monday–Thursday 8:15 AM–4:30 PM; Friday by appointment |
| License Fee | $50 |
| Ceremony Fee | $100 |
| Languages | English and Spanish |
| Website | revere.org: Marriage License |
Marriage License Requirements in Suffolk County
The requirements for a marriage license are set by Massachusetts state law and apply in every city and town in the state, including Boston, Revere, Chelsea, and Winthrop. Both parties must appear together in person at the clerk's office. You cannot send someone else in your place, and you cannot apply by mail. The only exceptions are for active-duty military personnel, people who are incarcerated, and cases involving imminent death.
Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Massachusetts raised the minimum age to 18 in July 2022 under MGL c. 207, §7. There are no longer any exceptions that allow minors to marry, even with parental consent or a court order. If both people are 18 or older, you meet the age requirement.
You must bring proof of age. A driver's license alone is not accepted for this purpose. Under MGL c. 207, §33A, acceptable documents include a birth certificate, passport, or immigration documents such as an I-94 or I-551. Bring one of these items. You also need to provide your Social Security number, though you do not need to bring the physical card. Your photo ID is still required to verify identity at the appointment.
Previously divorced applicants may need to show documentation of the prior divorce. Check with the specific clerk's office about what they require. Some offices ask for a certified copy of the divorce decree. Others just need the date and place of the prior divorce.
- Both parties must appear in person together
- Both must be 18 or older (no exceptions since July 2022)
- Proof of age: birth certificate, passport, or immigration document
- Social Security number for each person (card not required)
- Valid photo ID for identity verification
- Payment of the license fee ($50 in Boston and Revere)
The state's pre-wedding guide covers every requirement in plain language.
The state's official pre-wedding guide walks couples through every requirement before their appointment at the clerk's office.
Reading this guide before your Boston appointment helps ensure you bring everything required and avoid a second trip.
The 3-Day Wait and License Validity
Massachusetts requires a three-day waiting period after you file your marriage intention before you can pick up the license. This rule applies in every city and town, including all communities in the former Suffolk County. The three days include Sundays and legal holidays but do not count the day you file. So if you file on a Monday, you can pick up the license on Thursday.
Once you have the license, it is valid for 60 days from the date you filed. The ceremony must happen within that window. If 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires and you have to start over. In Boston, that means a new appointment, new fee, and another three-day wait. Plan your timeline so the ceremony falls well within the 60-day window.
If you need to skip the wait, you can apply for a waiver. Waivers are handled by the Probate and Family Court or District Court, not by the city clerk. The Suffolk County Probate and Family Court is at 24 New Chardon Street in Boston, and the phone number is 617-788-8300. Under MGL c. 207, §30, the court has the authority to waive the waiting period. The fee for a waiver is approximately $195. You must show good cause for why the wait should be skipped.
The Marriage Without Delay guide from the state explains what situations qualify for a waiver and how to apply at the Probate and Family Court.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Massachusetts law sets out who is authorized to perform a wedding ceremony. Judges, justices of the peace, and ordained ministers are all authorized. Friends or family members can also get a one-day designation from the Secretary of State's office if they want to officiate a ceremony. This is a popular option for couples who want someone close to them to perform the ceremony.
The one-day designation is handled through the Secretary of State. Applications are available at sec.state.ma.us. There is a fee, and the application must be submitted in advance. The state also has an overview of one-day designations at mass.gov. The person performing the ceremony does not need to be from Massachusetts, but they do need to be properly designated before the ceremony takes place.
After the ceremony, the person who performed it must return the completed marriage license to the city or town clerk who issued it. Under MGL c. 207, §40, this must happen within a set time after the ceremony. The clerk then registers the marriage and forwards the record to the state.
Note: If the officiant fails to return the license, the marriage is still legally valid, but getting a certified copy of the marriage certificate can be delayed or complicated. Follow up with your officiant to confirm they submitted the paperwork.
Getting a Certified Copy of Your Suffolk County Marriage Certificate
After your ceremony and after the license is returned and recorded, you can get a certified copy of your marriage certificate. There are two ways to do this. You can contact the city or town clerk who issued the original license, or you can go through the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics (RVRS).
The RVRS is located at 150 Mount Vernon Street in Dorchester. The phone number is 617-740-2600. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM. The RVRS keeps copies of all marriages registered in Massachusetts. You can request a certified copy in person or by mail. Their page at mass.gov explains the process and lists required information for each request type.
If your license was issued in Boston, you can also request a certified copy from the Boston Registry Division at 617-635-4175. The same applies for Revere. Contacting the issuing clerk is often faster than going through the state office, especially for recent marriages. Either way, you will need to provide the full names of both parties and the date of the marriage.
Certified copies are needed for name changes, updating Social Security records, adding a spouse to insurance, and other legal tasks. Order at least two copies when you first request them to avoid paying fees again later.
Cities in Suffolk County
The former Suffolk County includes four communities. Boston and Revere each have their own marriage license pages with detailed information on local procedures and contacts.
Chelsea and Winthrop are also part of the former Suffolk County. Both cities have their own city clerk offices that handle marriage licenses under the same Massachusetts state requirements.
Nearby Counties
These counties border the former Suffolk County area. If you live near the county line or want to apply at a nearby clerk's office, any of these counties can issue a Massachusetts marriage license valid statewide.