Marriage License Cost in 2026: How Much Is a Marriage License by State?
All 50 states covered. From $20 in Michigan to $172 in Washington, plus every discount, hidden fee, and payment method you need to know before you go.
Open Free Wedding ChecklistMarriage License Price at a Glance
No agency publishes an official national average. The typical fee is our own math on the 50 state figures below, checked in September 2026.
Three Fee Changes Worth Knowing About
Marriage license fees move more often than most couples expect. These three come straight from state law or the county clerk.
Washington added a $100 surcharge to every marriage license starting July 27, 2025, which puts most county fees at about $159 to $172.
Washington State Legislature, HB 1498 ->Minnesota charges $125 for a license, or $50 if the couple completes at least 12 hours of premarital education. That $75 gap is the largest discount we found.
Minnesota Statutes 517.08 ->Tarrant County, Texas charges $76, or $16 for couples who bring a Twogether in Texas course certificate. Other Texas counties set their own base fee.
Tarrant County Clerk ->Marriage License Fees: All 50 States (2026)
Fees shown are the standard base fee. In states where each county sets its own fee, we show the range we found or one named county as an example. Always confirm with your specific county clerk before arriving.
| State | Standard Fee | Premarital Course Discount | Official Source | Effective / Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $73-$89 (county) | None known | Jefferson County Probate Court ($84.50) | Certificate system since Aug 29, 2019 |
| Alaska | $60 | None known | Alaska Vital Records | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Arizona | $83-$98 (county) | None known | Pima County ($98) | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Arkansas | $60 | None known | Pulaski County Clerk | Checked Sept 2026 |
| California | Varies by county (LA County $91 public, $85 confidential) | None known | LA County Registrar-Recorder | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Colorado | $30 | None known | Larimer County Clerk | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Connecticut | $50 | None known | Town of Granby | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Delaware | $70 resident, $120 non-resident | None known | New Castle County fee schedule | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Florida | $86 | $61 with approved course | Miami-Dade Clerk | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Georgia | Varies by county (Paulding $56) | Paulding: $16 with premarital course | Paulding County | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Hawaii | $65 ($60 plus $5 portal fee) | None known | Hawaii Department of Health | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Idaho | $28-$30 (county) | None known | Bingham County ($30) | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Illinois | Varies by county (Cook $60) | None known | Cook County Clerk | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Indiana | $25 resident, $65 out-of-state | None known | Indiana Judicial Branch | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Iowa | $35 | None known | Iowa County Recorder | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Kansas | $85.50 | None known | Shawnee County District Court | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Kentucky | $60 | None known | Henderson County Clerk | Jefferson County rose to $60 on June 27, 2025 |
| Louisiana | $27.50-$35 (parish) | None known | Lafayette Parish ($27.50), Iberia Parish ($35) | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Maine | $40 | None known | City of Bangor | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Maryland | $35-$70 (county) | None known | Worcester County ($35), Prince George's County ($70) | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Massachusetts | Set by city or town (Boston $50) | None known | City of Boston | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Michigan | $20 resident, $30 non-resident | None known | Kalamazoo County Clerk | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Minnesota | $125 | $50 with 12 hours of premarital education | Minn. Stat. 517.08 | Effective July 1, 2025 |
| Mississippi | $21-$38 (county) | None known | DeSoto County ($37) | DeSoto fee effective Jan 13, 2020 |
| Missouri | About $53-$62 (county) | None known | Jasper County Recorder | +$2 statewide from Aug 28, 2026 (SB 938) |
| Montana | $53 | None known | Lewis and Clark County | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Nebraska | $50 | None known | Neb. Rev. Stat. 33-110 | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Nevada | Varies by county (Clark $102) | None known | Clark County Clerk | Checked Sept 2026 |
| New Hampshire | $50 | None known | City of Concord | Checked Sept 2026 |
| New Jersey | $28 | None known | Morris Township | Checked Sept 2026 |
| New Mexico | $55 | None known | No official page fetched, confirm with your clerk | Approximate, confirm locally |
| New York | $35 in New York City | None known | NYC City Clerk | Outside NYC, ask the town or city clerk |
| North Carolina | $60 | None known | Guilford County Register of Deeds | Checked Sept 2026 |
| North Dakota | $65 | None known | Burleigh County Recorder | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Ohio | $43-$75 (county) | None known | Franklin County Probate Court ($65) | Stark County $75 from Oct 2026 |
| Oklahoma | $50 | Reduced (often cited as $5) with premarital counseling | 43 O.S. 5.1 (Justia) | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Oregon | About $50-$85 (county) | None known | Washington County ($85) | Washington County rose to $85 on July 1, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | $60-$90 (county) | None known | Delaware County ($60), Philadelphia ($90) | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Rhode Island | $24 | None known | R.I. Gen. Laws 15-2-9 | Checked Sept 2026 |
| South Carolina | About $50-$120 (county, residency) | None known | Horry County Probate Court ($55 to $120) | Checked Sept 2026 |
| South Dakota | $40 | None known | SD Department of Health | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Tennessee | $97.50 | $37.50 with approved course | Knox County Clerk | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Texas | Varies by county (Tarrant $76) | Tarrant: $16 with Twogether in Texas course | Tarrant County Clerk | +$100 if neither partner proves Texas residency |
| Utah | $50-$70 (county) | None known | Weber County ($50) | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Vermont | $80 | None known | No official page fetched, confirm with your clerk | Approximate, confirm locally |
| Virginia | $30-$33 (locality) | None known | No official page fetched, confirm with your clerk | Approximate, confirm locally |
| Washington | About $159-$172 (county) | None known | Franklin County, HB 1498 | +$100 surcharge from July 27, 2025 |
| West Virginia | $57 | $37 with premarital course | Boone County Clerk | Checked Sept 2026 |
| Wisconsin | About $100-$125 (county) | None known | Washington County Clerk ($110) | Eau Claire County $105 from Jan 1, 2026 |
| Wyoming | $30 (Teton County $33) | None known | No official page fetched, confirm with your clerk | Approximate, confirm locally |
Sources: every linked fee was checked in September 2026 against the county clerk, state agency, or statute page named in the table. Rows without a link (New Mexico, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming) are approximate because we could not load an official page for them during our check. Fees change, sometimes mid-year, so confirm with your county clerk before you go.
Cheapest vs. Most Expensive States
If you have flexibility in where you get married, the difference in license fees alone can be significant. Here is a quick comparison of both ends of the spectrum.
Most Affordable States
Higher-Cost States
Watch: Marriage License Basics in a Few Minutes
If you would rather listen than read, this short explainer walks through what a marriage license is and what to sort out before your clerk appointment.
The video covers the general process. Fees and waiting periods are set by each state or county, so use the table above for the numbers that apply to you.
Source: Emily Summer on YouTube, "Marriage License Explained: What Couples Need to Know"
Premarital Education Discounts: Save Up to $75
Many states actively incentivize premarital counseling by reducing the license fee for couples who complete an approved course. The savings can easily outweigh the cost of the course itself.
Texas (Tarrant County)
Complete the Twogether in Texas course and bring the certificate to the clerk
Source: Tarrant County ClerkTennessee (Knox County)
Approved premarital preparation course certificate required
Source: Knox County ClerkFlorida
Must complete 4+ hour approved course
Source: Miami-Dade ClerkGeorgia (Paulding County)
Paulding requires at least six hours of premarital counseling and does not take checks; other Georgia counties set their own amounts
Source: Paulding CountyMinnesota
Requires at least 12 hours of premarital education, the largest dollar discount we found
Source: Minn. Stat. 517.08Oklahoma
Premarital counseling certificate must be from certified provider
Source: 43 O.S. 5.1 (Justia)West Virginia (Boone County)
Bring proof of a completed premarital education course
Source: Boone County ClerkDiscounts were checked in September 2026 on the linked county and statute pages. Course requirements differ by state, and some counties only accept certificates from registered providers.
Military Discounts and Fee Waivers
Military couples often read online that they can get a reduced or waived marriage license fee. We checked the state fee laws and county fee pages linked in the table above and did not find a statewide military discount written into any of them. Some counties may still have a local policy, so it is worth asking.
What We Found in State Fee Rules
States like Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, and Florida are often named as military friendly, but the official fee pages we checked for this guide list no military discount. Treat any waiver as a county policy until your clerk confirms it. One related perk we did confirm: Texas waives its 72-hour waiting period for active-duty members of the US armed forces, according to the Tarrant County Clerk.
What Documentation Is Required
If your county does offer a local waiver, expect to show your military ID (CAC card) and possibly deployment orders. Reserve and National Guard members may have different eligibility rules than active duty, so ask before you go.
Always Ask in Advance
Military discounts are not always advertised prominently on county websites. Call the clerk's office specifically and ask "Do you offer a military discount on marriage license fees?" before your appointment so you can bring the right documentation.
Accepted Payment Methods
Being turned away because you brought the wrong payment type is an avoidable frustration. Here is what each method looks like in practice at county clerk offices.
Cash
Accepted at virtually every county clerk office in the US. Bring exact change or expect no change back in some rural offices. Always a safe backup.
Personal Check
Accepted at many offices, though not all (Jasper County, Missouri takes no checks). Make it payable to "[County Name] County Clerk." Confirm the exact payee name on the county website before writing the check.
Debit or Credit Card
Increasingly accepted, especially in urban counties. A convenience fee is often tacked on, for example 2.45% in Washington County, Oregon and 3% in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. Check your county website, since some smaller offices still take cash or check only.
Money Order
Some offices accept money orders if you do not have a personal checkbook. Less commonly required now but useful if you want a paper trail and do not have checks.
Hidden Costs Most Couples Miss
The license fee is only part of your total document spend. Here are the extra charges that catch couples off guard after the wedding.
Certified Copies of the Certificate
$1.25-$40 eachYou need certified copies (not the license itself) for every institution you contact for a name change. Examples: $1.25 in Larimer County, Colorado, $5 in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, $7 in Miami-Dade, $15 in New York City, and $15 in Philadelphia if you order at the time of application ($40 per copy afterward). Order at least 3-4 at the time the certificate is issued, since ordering later usually means waiting on mail delivery.
Online Pre-Filing Convenience Fee
Varies (small, where charged)Some counties that offer online pre-filing charge a small convenience fee to use the online form, and many charge nothing extra. It can still be worth it for the time saved at the office. Check the fee page for your county before you start.
Expedited Processing
Varies by countyIf you need the certificate returned faster (e.g., for an immediate name change on travel documents), some counties offer expedited processing or paid tracked mail. Alaska, for example, charges $10 for Priority Mail with tracking. Not universally available, and fees vary.
Replacement License Fee
From $10 up to the full feeIf you lose the license before your ceremony, some counties issue a replacement for a small fee (Philadelphia charges $10 within the 60-day window), while others make you apply and pay again. Guard your license carefully in the weeks between applying and your wedding day.
Credit Card Convenience Fee
About 2-3% surchargeOffices that accept cards often pass processing fees on to you (2.45% in Washington County, Oregon, 3% in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana). On a $100 license, this adds about $2-$3. Trivial individually, but worth knowing so the total at the counter does not surprise you.
Non-Resident Surcharge
$10-$100 in some statesA handful of states charge out-of-state applicants a higher fee: an extra $100 in Texas if neither partner can prove residency (Tarrant County Clerk), $65 vs. $25 in Indiana, $120 vs. $70 in Delaware, and $120 vs. $55 in Horry County, South Carolina. Always confirm the exact amount when you call your county clerk, particularly if you live in a different state than your wedding venue.
Are Marriage License Fees Refundable?
In Almost All Cases: No
Marriage license fees are generally non-refundable once paid, even if you cancel the wedding, the license expires unused, or you applied in the wrong county. The fee covers the administrative processing cost, which is incurred at the time of application regardless of whether a ceremony ever takes place.
A small number of counties may issue a partial credit toward a new application if the original was denied due to a clerk error, but this is not a standard practice. If your wedding plans change significantly, contact the county clerk immediately to understand your options.
Some counties spell it out. The Washington County, Oregon marriage license page states: "There are no exceptions, waivers, or refunds to the license fee."
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Why Marriage License Fees Vary So Much by State
Marriage license fees are set at the state or county level, which is why you can pay $20 in Michigan and $125 in Minnesota for the same legal document. The fee is essentially a government administrative charge that funds the county clerk's vital records department. States with larger bureaucracies, more complex filing systems, or older legacy databases tend to charge more.
County-level variation within a state can be surprising. In Texas, for example, Tarrant County charges $76, and couples who complete the Twogether in Texas course pay $16 instead, a $60 reduction. In California, each county sets its own fee: Los Angeles County charges $91 for a public license and $85 for a confidential one, and other counties charge different amounts.
- •Fees are set by state law or county ordinance, not a federal standard
- •Urban counties with higher operating costs tend to charge more
- •Premarital course discounts in the states we checked range from $20 (West Virginia) to $75 (Minnesota)
- •Military fee waivers are not written into the state fee rules we checked, so ask your county clerk directly
How Much to Budget for All Marriage-Related Documents
The marriage license is just the beginning of your document costs. Once you are officially married, you will need certified copies of the marriage certificate for every name change or record update you make. Planning ahead saves you from having to order and wait for additional copies later.
- •Marriage license fee: $20-$172
- •Certified copy of marriage certificate: $1.25 to $40 per copy, most often $5 to $25 (order 3-4)
- •Passport name change: depends on how recently your passport was issued, check the State Department fee chart
- •Driver's license update: set by your state DMV, often a small fee (confirm locally)
- •Social Security name change: free
- •Total realistic document budget: roughly $100-$250 all-in (Pix Wedding estimate)
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Marriage License Cost FAQs
Straight answers to the questions people ask most about this topic.
No government body publishes an official national average. Across the 50 state figures in our table, the middle of the pack sits around $55 to $60 (our math on fees checked against county and state sources in September 2026). Costs range from $20 in Michigan for residents to about $172 in some Washington counties after the state added a $100 surcharge on July 27, 2025. Most couples pay roughly $30 to $85 for the license itself, plus a few dollars to $40 per certified copy of the marriage certificate they need afterward.
The cheapest marriage licenses as of 2026 are in Michigan ($20 for residents), Rhode Island ($24), Indiana ($25 for residents), Louisiana ($27.50 in Lafayette Parish), New Jersey ($28), Colorado ($30), Wyoming ($30), Mississippi ($21-$38 depending on county), and South Dakota ($40). Fees can vary within a state from county to county, so it is worth checking the specific county where you plan to marry.
Yes, several states offer meaningful discounts. Tennessee drops the fee from $97.50 to $37.50 (Knox County figures) for couples who complete an approved premarital preparation course. Florida drops it from $86 to $61 with a course certificate. Georgia's discount varies by county, for example Paulding County drops from $56 to $16. Minnesota cuts $125 to $50 with 12 hours of premarital education, Tarrant County, Texas cuts $76 to $16 with the Twogether in Texas course, and West Virginia cuts $57 to $37. We could not confirm a statewide military fee waiver in the fee rules we checked, so ask your county clerk about any local discounts before paying.
Most county clerks accept cash, and many accept checks and cards, but the mix varies. Jasper County, Missouri takes no checks, while Washington County, Oregon takes cash, checks, money orders, and cards. Offices that accept cards often add a convenience fee, for example 2.45% in Washington County, Oregon and 3% in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. Always check your specific county clerk's website before arriving, because being turned away for the wrong payment method causes real scheduling problems.
Yes, there are several costs couples overlook. Certified copies of the marriage certificate cost anywhere from $1.25 (Larimer County, Colorado) to $40 (Philadelphia, if ordered after you apply), with most counties in the $5 to $25 range, and you will need 2-4 for name changes. Some jurisdictions charge for attachments or a separate filing step on top of the license fee, such as $4 per page for attachments in Lafayette Parish. Expedited processing and online pre-filing fees exist in some counties, and amounts vary. If you lose the license before the ceremony, some counties charge a replacement fee ($10 in Philadelphia) and others make you apply and pay again.
In a small number of states and counties, yes. Indiana charges $25 when one or both partners are Indiana residents and $65 for out-of-state couples. Delaware charges $70 or $120, Michigan $20 or $30, and Horry County, South Carolina $55 for county residents, $80 for other South Carolina residents, and $120 for out-of-state couples. In most states the fee is the same regardless of residency. Texas adds $100 when neither partner can prove Texas residency. Proving residency in states with tiered pricing can save you $10 to $100, so it is worth asking when you call to confirm your appointment.