Marrying in Massachusetts

All people who marry in Massachusetts must have a marriage license issued in Massachusetts. According to Massachusetts law, the couple must jointly file intentions to marry, and may do so with the city or town clerk in any community in the state.

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. There is a mandatory three-day waiting period from the date of application to the date the license is issued. You can obtain a court waiver of the mandatory waiting period after filing intentions.

Fees in most communities range between $4 and $15 for the marriage license. The state statute stipulates a fee of $4 for the license, but it allows cities and towns by a vote of their city councils, boards of selectmen or town meeting, or by a change in the by-laws, to set their own fee.

Click here to find out more