Marriage License Requirements for Officiants

Every US county has different marriage license rules — different filing deadlines, witness requirements, and accepted ordination types. We break it down county by county so you can file on time, every time.

Alabama67 guides Alaska30 guides Arizona15 guides Arkansas75 guides California58 guides Colorado64 guides Connecticut8 guides Delaware3 guides District of Columbia1 guide Florida67 guides Georgia159 guides Hawaii5 guides Idaho44 guides Illinois102 guides Indiana92 guides Iowa99 guides Kansas105 guides Kentucky120 guides Louisiana64 guides Maine16 guides Maryland24 guides Massachusetts14 guides Michigan83 guides Minnesota87 guides Mississippi82 guides Missouri115 guides Montana56 guides Nebraska93 guides Nevada17 guides New Hampshire10 guides New Jersey21 guides New Mexico33 guides New York62 guides North Carolina100 guides North Dakota53 guides Ohio88 guides Oklahoma77 guides Oregon36 guides Pennsylvania67 guides Rhode Island5 guides South Carolina46 guides South Dakota66 guides Tennessee95 guides Texas254 guides Utah29 guides Vermont14 guides Virginia133 guides Washington39 guides West Virginia55 guides Wisconsin72 guides Wyoming23 guides

Why filing requirements matter for officiants

As a wedding officiant, you are legally responsible for returning the signed marriage license to the county clerk's office within the required deadline. Miss it, and the couple's marriage may not be legally recorded — creating stress, legal complications, and potential liability for you.

The problem is that every county has different rules. Some require the license back in 3 days. Others give you 60. Some counties require witnesses. Others don't. Some accept online ordination (ULC, AMM). Others may not. Our county-by-county guides give you the specific requirements for wherever your ceremony takes place.