Name of the Organization : City of Boston
Type of Facility : Apply for Marriage Licenses
State : Mssachusetts
Country : United States of America
Website : https://www.cityofboston.gov/registry/marriage/licenses.asp
Apply for Marriage Licenses :
** Before you can get married in Massachusetts, you will need a Marriage License issued in Massachusetts.
Related : Order a Birth Certificate : City of Boston : https://www.statusin.org/24758.html
** An out-of-state license cannot be used and you cannot use a Massachusetts license outside of this state.
Upon Filing a Marriage Intention :
** Once you file a marriage intention, the Registry Division’s Marriage Staff will give you a small white card with your names, the date you can pick up your Marriage License, and the date the license will expire (after 60 days).
How to File a Marriage Intention :
** There is a three (3) calendar day waiting period until you can pick up your license.
** This waiting period includes weekdays, weekends, and holidays, but the day the application is submitted is not included in the three day waiting period.
** After the three day waiting period has passed, the marriage license can be picked up in person by you or someone else holding the white card.
** You must pick up the license prior to the wedding and have it in hand to give the person performing the wedding before the ceremony.
** Whoever picks up the license must verify that all information listed is correct.
** The license packet will include further instructions for the couple.
Marriage Intentions :
** The first step towards getting married in Massachusetts is to file a Marriage Intention to obtain a Marriage License.
Getting Married in Massachusetts :
Couples must follow these instructions to begin the process :
** Both parties must be at least 18 years of age.
** Both parties must come in person to the Registry to fill out the ‘Marriage Intention Form for a Marriage License.
** Marriage Intention Forms cannot be processed through the mail (some special conditions may apply – see below).
** Both parties must show valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport).
** Both parties must know their Social Security numbers to complete their Marriage Intention Form.
** The couple must pay a $50.00 application fee (cash, money order, credit or debit card) at the time of filing the intention form.
** There is a mandatory three (3) calendar day waiting period between the date intentions are filed and the date the license can be picked up in person.
** The couple will receive a small white card with the date on which they can pick up their license.
What Do We Do With the License?
** Bring the original marriage license to the officiant of the wedding ceremony.
** To register the marriage, the officiant must complete and sign the license in black ink and return it directly to the City Clerk or Town Clerk that issued the license.
** He or she must ONLY fill out the sections outlined in the instructions that come with the license.
** Reprinting a license will require an additional $12 fee.
Information Needed for Marriage Intention :
Couples should be prepared to provide information such as :
** Legal first, middle, and last names (and know what surname/last name you will use after marriage);
** Address(es);
** Date of Birth(s);
** Occupation(s),
** Declare if this is the first, second, etc. marriage and the status of the last marriage (widowed, divorced, etc.).
** If divorced, provide finalized divorce date.
** If annulled, bring a copy of the papers;
** Birth place(s) – City/Town, State, Country; and
** Parents’ names including mother’s maiden/family name, and if their parents were married at the time of their birth.
Frequently Asked Questions :
How much does a Marriage License cost?
** The couple’s $50 application fee is due at the time they file their Marriage Intention.
** Cash, money order, credit or debit cards are all acceptable forms of payment.
** Please make money order payable to the City of Boston.
How long after issuance is the license valid?
** The marriage license is valid for sixty (60) days from the day you applied for your Marriage Intention.
** If it expires you will have to start the process over again and pay a new application fee.
When can I get my license?
** There is a mandatory three (3) calendar day waiting period between when you file your marriage intention and when you can pick up your license.
** While weekends, Wednesdays (closed), and holidays are included in the three days, the day the application is made is not included in the 3 days
** For example, if you apply on Friday, your license will be issued on or after Monday.