Marriage License Info

A Marriage License is valid for 60 days from the date of application and may be used in any Massachusetts city or town. It is not valid outside the state of Massachusetts. There is a three-day wait (days not business days) before a license can be picked up after applying (note that this excludes the day in which you filled it out).  If a couple is unable to wait three days they can appear before a judge and request a waiver of the three-day wait.  Fees for a three-day waiver vary depending upon the court.  When filing intention to marry, we will ask for the name and contact phone of the person who will perform the marriage. Appointments are not required but encouraged.

  • Both members of the couple must appear together in the Town Clerk’s Office to apply for the license.  The only exceptions are if one member is in the military, incarcerated, or hospitalized;

  • The three (3) forms in the application process will take about 15 minutes to complete.  In addition to basic information the forms also ask for your last name to be used after marriage for both members of the couple;

  • After completing the forms you will read the legal impediments to marriage and take an oath that there are no legal impediments to the marriage;

  • There is a $40 fee for the processing of the application which can be paid by cash, check or charge (fees apply) which includes a certified copy of the marriage certificate after the ceremony;

  • After the three day waiting period and before the license expires, the license is picked up at the Town Clerk’s Office.  (The license cannot be mailed);

  • The license is then given to the person performing the ceremony.  If the person performing your ceremony is a clergy member or Justice of the Peace from another state he/she will need a solemnizer certificate to perform the ceremony.  Click here for a One Day Solemnizer Certificate .  If the person performing your ceremony is not a Justice of the Peace or clergy member he will need a one-day solemnizer certificate to perform the ceremony.  Click here for a One Day Solemnizer Certificate.

  • Justice of the Peace services are available through the Town Clerk's office with Patricia Bessette, Town Clerk, by appointment only.
    Please call 508-588-0414 x1013 for further instructions.

    Changing Your Name

  • In addition to being a marriage application form, the Notice of Intention to Marriage form also serves as a legal name change document. The document will ask which surname you would like to use after marriage. Both parties may change their last name to whatever they wish at this time. By answering this question, you avoid the probate court fees for initiating a name change.

    A certified copy of your marriage certificate will be needed at the following locations and you must appear in person:

    Social Security Administration, 10 Fawcett St, 1st FL, Cambridge, MA 02138

    Registry of Motor Vehicles, 550 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472

    If you have a passport, fill out this form to make the name change.

    You should also make the necessary changes to your work, insurance, health care provider, banks, retirement, etc.

    Additional Information

    Additional assistance can be found at:

    Mass Registry of Vital Records
    150 Mt. Vernon Street
    Dorchester, MA 02125-3105
    (617) 740-2600