Planning > Ceremony & Vows
Massachusetts Wedding License   Photo by Matt Flynn Photography
One of the most important things you'll need to do is to get your wedding license.  Every couple getting married in Massachusetts must have a marriage license issued in Massachusetts.
The laws changed in 2005.  You no longer need to blood work to apply for a marriage license.
Step 1:  Apply for a Marriage License
You apply for your marriage license with any city or town clerk.  Both of you must be present when applying.
It usually takes 3 business days for the clerk to prepare the license and you should expect to pay a nominal processing fee.  (The fee will vary from community to community.)
A marriage license is good for 60 days, therefore you should apply for your license within 2 months of your wedding date.
Step 2:  Return the Signed License
You should give your Massachusetts officiant your marriage license before the wedding ceremony.  Many couples will give their officiant the marriage license during the ceremony rehearsal.
After the ceremony has been conducted, your officiant or justice-of-the-peace must complete and sign the original license.  They are responsible for returning the license to the clerk that issued it.
A few weeks after the wedding, you may pick up a copy of your wedding certificate at the clerk's office.
Special Considerations
If you are divorced and are about to remarry, you must be certain that your divorce is final.  You must wait 90 days after your divorce is final before remarrying.
If your officiant is from out of state, they must obtain a Certificate of Authorization from the Massachusetts Secretary of State.  Contact the Division of Public Records at (617) 727-2836 for more details.
You must be 18 years or older to get married in the state of Massachusetts.
Need more information?
For more information on obtaining a marriage license, contact your city or town clerk.  To find the telephone number of your local clerk, click here.  You may also contact:
Citizen Information Service (CIS)
Secretary of the Commonwealth
One Ashburton Place, Room 1611
Boston, MA 02108-1512
Tel: (617) 727-7030
Toll Free: 1-800-392-6090 (within Mass. only)
TTY: (617) 878-3889
Fax: (617) 742-4528
www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cisidx.htm
E-mail: cis@sec.state.ma.us
For information about becoming a JP for a day go to the  State's Citizen Information Service page.
 
Click here for a list of Massachusetts Justice of the Peace..
Visit The Wedding Outlet for wedding accessories for the ceremony including:
ring bearer pillows, flower girl baskets, unity candles, aisle runners.
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