FAQ: Massachusetts Weddings

Yay, you’re engaged! And you’ve decided to get married in Massachusetts! You probably have some questions. Are they these ones?

• What paperwork do we need?

  You need to obtain a marriage license in order to be legally wed. To do so, you will need to fill out a Notice of Intention of Marriage at a Massachusetts’ City Clerk’s office. You and your partner both need to be there and your officiant cannot apply for this on your behalf.
  
  We have a whole blog post about this here, in case you’d like the steps broken down for you!

• Can we apply for our marriage license and get married the same day?

  No, Massachusetts has a 3-day waiting period. And we have another blog post here for ya:)

• Do marriage licenses expire?

  Your license is valid for a 60-day window. You’ll need to have your marriage solemnized within this period in order to have it legally recorded. If you miss the window, you’ll need to start the process over with a new Notice of Intention of Marriage form.

• Do we have to file in the same city we're getting married in?

  No. In Massachusetts you do not have to file your Notice of Intention of Marriage in the same city you plan to hold your wedding in.

  This tends to be great news for our couples traveling from nearby states! For example, Rhode Island couples might visit Seekonk; New Hampshire couples might contact the Methuen City Clerk’s Office, etc.

• Who can officiate our wedding?

  Almost anyone – with the correct paperwork.

  1. In-state clergy and Justices of the Peace.

  2. Out-of-state clergy who have filed a “non-resident, out-of-state clergy petition.”

  3. Anyone who’s applied for and received a “One-Day Designation.”

  And hey, you’re not going to believe this, but there’s a Dearly blog post for this, too.

Heads up, the answer to each of these last questions is “it depends!”

• How much do marriage licenses cost?

  This varies by location, but most are around $50.

• Do I have to make an appointment to apply for a marriage license?

  This also varies by location. Some city clerk’s offices allow walk-ins – Somerville is one of them. Others request that you book online beforehand.

• Do we have to request our official copy? Or does the city just mail us one?

  This, once again, varies by location. Check with your local city clerk’s office. Most of the time, the cheapest and most straightforward way to obtain a certified copy of your marriage license is to drop by in person after your signed marriage license has been returned.