Marriage Licenses

Obtaining a Marriage License

Before getting married in Connecticut, you need to obtain a marriage license. There is a fee paid at the time of application. A blood test is not required in Connecticut. You must apply for a marriage license in the city or town you plan to be married in. The legal age for marriage in Connecticut is 18. If you are under age 18, you need to obtain written consent from a parent, guardian, or in the absence of such parent or guardian, a probate court judge. If under age 16, you need to obtain written consent from a probate court judge.

Required Documents

Picture identification with your current address (if you don’t have identification, bring two different utility bills for proof of address)
Social Security cards
Name, address and phone number of the person performing the ceremony
Address where the ceremony will take place
Date of marriage
Cash or money order

Both persons must personally appear. Either party may start the application process; however, the other party must appear before the wedding to sign the application.

Performing the Marriage Ceremony

Marriage ceremonies must be performed within 65 days of the date of issue of the marriage license. Judges, retired judges, justices of the peace, family support magistrates, and state referees may join persons in marriage in any Connecticut town. Ordained or licensed clergy members, belonging to Connecticut or any other state, may also join persons in marriage, as long as they continue the work of the ministry. Lists of justices of the peace who perform marriages are usually available at the Town Clerk’s office. Further information can be found at the Connecticut General Assembly Statutes website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_815e.htm#sec_46b-21

Obtaining a Copy of Your Marriage License

The Connecticut State Department of Public Health – Vital Records Section (https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Vital-Records/State-Vital-Records-Office–Home) registers marriages occurring in Connecticut. Certified copies of marriage licenses are also obtainable from the Registrar of Vital Statistics or Town Clerk in the city or town where the marriage took place, by either mail or in person.

To inquire about how to get a marriage license in another state, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm

To Find Application Sites in Connecticut’s Community Resources Database:
Search by service name: Records/Licenses/Permits

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SOURCES: State of Connecticut Department of Public Health – Vital Records Section website; State of Connecticut State Department of Public Health website; Connecticut General Assembly Statutes website
PREPARED BY: 211/jm
CONTENT LAST MODIFIED: June2024