How to Get a Marriage License in Massachusetts
Massachusetts marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- varies by city/town (~$4-$50; municipal clerk)
- Waiting period
- 3 days (waivable by a court order for a fee)
- 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).
Applicants seeking to marry in Massachusetts must obtain a marriage license from the City or Town Clerk in any Massachusetts municipality. There is no residency requirement; couples may apply in any city or town and marry anywhere within the state. A government-issued photo ID and proof of age are required. The license fee varies by municipality, ranging approximately from $4 to $50, and is set independently by each town or city clerk's office. Some municipalities offer online filing of marriage intentions, with pickup occurring after the mandatory waiting period. The specific fee amount should be confirmed directly with the issuing town or city clerk before applying.
Massachusetts imposes a three-day waiting period from the date intentions are filed, though this period may be waived by court order for an additional fee. Once issued, the marriage license remains valid for sixty days from the filing date. Applicants must be at least eighteen years old; those under eighteen may marry with both parental consent and approval from a court. No blood test or witnesses are required. Because fees are set locally and regulations may change, applicants should verify the exact current fee, waiting period options, and all eligibility requirements with their town or city clerk's office or the Massachusetts state government website before submitting an application.
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 | Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| License fee | varies by city/town (~$4-$50; municipal clerk) |
| Fee set by | County (varies by county) |
| Waiting period | 3 days (waivable by a court order for a fee) |
| License validity | 60 days (from the date of application/filing) |
| ID required | government photo ID; proof of age |
| Residency required | no (apply in any MA city/town; marriage may occur anywhere in MA) |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; under 18 requires parental consent AND court approval (no fixed floor — judicial discretion) |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | no witnesses required |
| Online option | some municipalities offer online intention filing; pick up after the 3-day wait |
| Where to apply | City/Town Clerk (municipal, statewide-style process; fee set locally) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full Massachusetts requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record Massachusetts marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.