U.S. Marriage Licenses, By the Numbers
What the 50-state + DC marriage-license rulebook looks like when you line up fees, waiting periods, online options and confidence side by side.
Across all 51 U.S. jurisdictions (50 states + DC), 32 issue marriage licenses at the county level with a county-set fee — the single biggest reason a fee you read online may not match your county — while 19 charge one statewide fee. 20 impose a waiting period before the license can be used, and 24 offer some online or remote option.
Of our rows, 28 are verified to a specific statute or stable state rule (high confidence) and 23 are flagged for re-verification on publish — mostly county-set-fee states where the exact local amount must be confirmed on the issuing clerk's schedule. 10 jurisdictions are structural outliers (e.g. Alabama issues no license, several allow self-solemnization, Montana still has a waivable blood test).
Frequently asked questions
How many states set the marriage-license fee at the county level?
32 of 51 jurisdictions issue licenses at the county level with a county-set fee, so the cost varies within the state. Always confirm the exact amount on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule.
Are these fees exact?
No — for county-set states they are representative ranges, not authoritative amounts, and rows flagged medium-confidence are re-verified on publish. This is informational content, not legal advice.
Informational only — not legal advice. Marriage-license requirements, fees, and procedures are set by state law and the issuing County Clerk, vary by county, and change over time. Nothing here is a specific statute citation or a determination about your situation. Before you act, confirm the current requirements and the exact fee with the County Clerk that issues the license, and refer to your state’s official statutes for the governing law. For your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.