Obtaining a Marriage License in Massachusetts
All people who marry in Massachusetts must have a marriage license issued in Massachusetts. An out-of-state license cannot be used.
You both must apply in person for a marriage license. According to
Massachusetts law, you must jointly file intentions to marry, and you may do so with the city or town clerk in any community in the state. (If a person is in the military, intentions may be filed by either party, providing one is a Massachusetts resident.) A marriage license, once obtained, is valid for 60 days from the date intentions are filed and may be used in any Massachusetts city or town. It is not valid outside the state.
There is a mandatory three-day waiting period. While Sundays and holidays are included in the three days, the day the application is made is not. For example, if you apply on Friday, your license will be issued on or after Monday. Check with your town/city clerk to determine whether you must pick up the license in person, or if it can be mailed to you.
Fees for a marriage license in most communities’ range between $10 and $50.
Following the ceremony, the Justice of the Peace must complete and sign the original license and return it to the clerk of the city/town where the license was issued.
You will not automatically receive an official copy of your Certificate of Marriage. You can apply for this with the City/Town Clerk where you applied for your license and paying a nominal charge for each copy. Officiants are not permitted
to give you a copy of the completed marriage license.
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Copyright © 2019 Cape Cod Justice of the Peace Laurie Robbins - All Rights Reserved.