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Updated Jun 09, 2025When Do You Get Your Marriage License? Keep This Timing in Mind
Plus, the scoop on how long a marriage license is good for once you've applied.
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Before you get swept away by your wedding planning checklist, make sure to mark down when to obtain a marriage license on your calendar so the task doesn't slip your mind. But, when do you get your marriage license? Moreover, how long is a marriage license good for after you submit an application? Read on for all the timing info you need to know.
As you're navigating how to get a marriage license, it's important to be aware that you do need to get your marriage license before you actually get married in order for the cereomony to carry legal weight. Issued by either a county clerk's office, city hall or marriage license bureau, your marriage license is the document you'll need to get married, and, after you say your vows, you'll receive a marriage certificate that says you are officially married in the eyes of the state. Applying for one can seem like a bureaucratic nightmare, but it's actually a quick process — as long as you have the correct timing for how far in advance to get your marriage license.
In this article: When to Apply for a Marriage License | How Long Does It Take to Get a Marriage Licence? | How Long Is a Marriage License Good for? | What's Next After Getting a Marriage License?
When to Apply for a Marriage License
"In general, a couple should apply about one week before their ceremony," recommends Micaela Beltran, cofounder and CEO of Courtly, which helps couples get their marriage licenses online. Obtaining your marriage license should never be left to the last minute, and keep in mind that these are governed by US county clerks, so you should always check with your locality first before making plans. In bigger cities, you may want to make your appointment even further out since there may be less availability.
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However, you don't want to plan too far ahead either. In some states, marriage licenses expire after 30, 60 or 90 days. Need a reminder? The Knot Wedding Checklist tool will make sure you stay on track and don't miss any important deadlines.
Does When to Apply for a Marriage License Vary by State?
Like many legalities surrounding marriage, your plans for when to get your marriage license will vary by the requirements in your state. In most cases, you'll apply for the license in the state where you're actually saying "I do." For Washington, DC, couples, for example, a marriage license can be issued the same day you'd like to get married, and it never expires. However, in Louisiana, there is a 24–hour marriage license waiting period between receiving your license and getting married, then there is a 30-day expiration date. And Texas makes you wait three days to get married and their licenses expire in 90 days. Wyoming, meanwhile, has no marriage license waiting period and their marriage licenses don't expire for an entire year.
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Want to learn more? We've got all info got where to get a marriage license by state so you can easily find the laws for your jurisdiction. Another thing that varies regionally? The marriage license cost by state that you'll have to pay.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Marriage Licence?
"It typically takes 3–6 days from filing your application to getting your license approved," says Beltran. In addition to processing time for the paperwork, some states have marriage license waiting periods you'll need to account for. Additionally, it's also wise to leave extra time just in case for the unlikely event that there is a mistake on your marriage license and you have to get a corrected one before the wedding.
How Long Is a Marriage License Good for?
How long a marriage license is good for varies by state. The shortest length a marriage license is good for is 30 days (this is the case in many states, including Hawaii, Delaware, New Jersey and Missouri). On the other end of the spectrum, some marriage licenses never expire (this is true in a few states, including Idaho and Georgia).
What's Next After Getting a Marriage License?
After applying for the marriage license, you have the government's permission to walk down the aisle! There's one more logistical piece to button up, and then it's time to celebrate you and your new partner's union.
Make a fun day out of receiving your marriage license.
While you may have to head back to work or continue knocking out final week-of-wedding to-dos immediately after getting your marriage license, it can also be another occasion to celebrate if you have time. Do something as simple as taking a photo of your first moment with legal permission to get married or go out for lunch before returning to your workday.
"You can get married without flowers or a cake. You can't get married without a license," says Jean Neuhart, former wedding planner, author and blogger at Weddings From the Heart. "So celebrate checking off that oh-so-important to-do item with a romantic dinner or a walk in the park."
Take care of the final, official step.
Whether you're saying "I do" in front of 300 people or sharing a quiet, mountaintop ceremony with a single witness, your officiant will likely need to sign your marriage license at your wedding and then return it to the county clerk right away. At that point, you'll receive a marriage certificate in the mail verifying your marriage.
Additional reporting by Hannah Nowack
