How to Get a Marriage License in North Dakota
North Dakota marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- $65 (statewide statutory fee; County Recorder)
- Waiting period
- none
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Confirm the fee before you go. check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
To obtain a marriage license in North Dakota, applicants must apply in person at the County Recorder's office in the county where they intend to marry. The statewide fee is $65. Both parties must present a government-issued photo ID and proof of age, along with their Social Security number. No residency requirement applies, and there is no waiting period; the license remains valid for 60 days from issuance. Individuals aged 18 and older may apply without additional consent. Those aged 16 or 17 may marry with both parental consent and approval from a district judge. Individuals under 16 are not permitted to marry under state law.
Two witnesses aged 18 or older must sign the license. North Dakota does not require a blood test. Applicants should confirm the current fee and all eligibility requirements directly with the County Recorder's office in their intended county or through the North Dakota state government website before applying, as administrative procedures and requirements 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 | North Dakota |
|---|---|
| License fee | $65 (statewide statutory fee; County Recorder) |
| Fee set by | State (statewide) |
| Waiting period | none |
| License validity | 60 days |
| ID required | government photo ID; proof of age; SSN |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 16-17 with parental consent AND judge approval; under 16 not permitted |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | 2 witnesses (18+) sign the license |
| Online option | no statewide online option; apply at the County Recorder |
| Where to apply | County Recorder (statewide $65 fee, 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 North Dakota requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record North Dakota marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.