How to Get a Marriage License in Kentucky
Kentucky marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- varies by county (~$35-$50; County Clerk)
- Waiting period
- none
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Confirm the fee before you go. The marriage-license fee in this state is set by the county and varies, so the figure above is a representative range — check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
This row is flagged for re-verification on publish (county-set fee and/or a statute section still being pinned).
Couples seeking to marry in Kentucky must obtain a marriage license from the County Clerk's office in the county where they wish to apply. The license fee varies by county and typically ranges from approximately $35 to $50; the exact fee should be confirmed directly with the applicable county clerk before applying, as fees are set at the county level. Kentucky has no waiting period for marriage licenses, and the license remains valid for 30 days from issuance.
To obtain a license, applicants must provide a government-issued photo ID and Social Security number. Kentucky law permits marriage at age 18 without consent. Applicants who are 17 years old may marry with parental consent and approval from a district court; those under 17 are not permitted to marry under state law. The couple must also arrange for two witnesses, each at least 18 years of age, to be present at the time of marriage. There is no statewide online application option; couples must apply in person at the County Clerk's office. Before applying, couples should verify the current fee, processing procedures, and all eligibility requirements with their specific county clerk's office, as rules and fees may change.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| License fee | varies by county (~$35-$50; County Clerk) |
| Fee set by | County (varies by county) |
| Waiting period | none |
| License validity | 30 days |
| ID required | government photo ID; SSN |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 17 with parental consent AND district-court approval; under 17 not permitted |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | 2 witnesses (18+) |
| Online option | no statewide online option; apply at the County Clerk |
| Where to apply | County Clerk (county-administered) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full Kentucky requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record Kentucky marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.