Frequently Asked Questions

You must both apply in person for a marriage license. This requirement is applicable to both residents and non-residents of the Commonwealth. According to Massachusetts law, you must jointly file intentions to marry, and you may do so with the city or town clerk in any communtiy in the state. If a person is in the military, intentions may be filed by either party, providing one is a Massachusetts resident. If a person is incarcerated in a county house of correction or a state correctional facility, intentions may be filed by either party. 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. It is not valid outside of the state.

Yes, there is a mandatory three-day waiting period. While Sundays and holidays are included in the three days, the day the application is made is not. For example, if you apply on Friday, your license will be issued after Monday.

Yes, if you can obtain a court waiver after filing intentions.

You should file your intentions first with any city or town clerk. Then an application for a waiver must be filed by both of you at a probate or district court. After a hearing, the court may issue a certificate allowing the marriage license to be issued, and the marriage performed with out delay.

The fee for the marriage license in Blackstone is $20.00 due at the time of filing your intentions. Other cities and towns may vary.

A Massachusetts resident may marry if he or she is 18 years of age or older.

If either party is under 18, a court order from a probate or district court where the minor resides must be obtained before the marriage intentions can be filed.

No. As of January 28, 2005 the state of Massachusetts no longer requires medical certificates.

You are not required to present a divorce certificate when filing intentions to marry. However, it is extremely important that an individual who has been divorced be certian that his/her divorce is absolute. If you are uncertain as to the absolute date of your divorce, you should contact the court where the divorce was granted. In Massachusetts, a divorce does not become absolute until 90 days after the divorce nisi has been granted, regardless of the grounds for divorce.

No.

Massachusetts statute does not require that witnesses be present at your ceremony. However, if a member of the clergy performs the ceremony, you should ensure that you are in conformity with the appropriate religious tenets.

The member of the clergy or justice of the peace must complete and sign the original license and return it to the clerk of the city or town where the license was issued.

If an out-of-state member of the clergy is to perform the marriage, the clergy person must obtain a Certificate of Authorization from the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth prior to the ceremony. This certificate, which is issued by the Public Records Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth is to be attached to the original license and returned to the clerk of the city or town where the license was issued. For further information, contact:

Division of Public Records

• Secretary of the Commonwealth
  One Ashburton Place, Room 1719
  Boston, MA 02108
• Phone: 617-727-2836