Marriage Licenses

Massachusetts General Laws requires, except for several special circumstances, that you and your fiancé must appear in person at the Town Clerk's Office in order to obtain a marriage license. You must be at least eighteen years old and show proof of age.


Intention of Marriage

You and your fiancé will first be asked to complete and sign under oath an Intention of Marriage. Information you need to is your social security number, your place of birth and your mother's maiden name. The fee for filing the Intention of Marriage is $20.


A Premarital Blood Test is no longer required as of January 28, 2005


Marriage Licenses

Massachusetts requires a mandatory three day waiting period from the time the intention is filed before a license can be issued, Sundays and Holidays are included in the three days. A waiver from this period may be obtained from a local District Court.


Deadline

A marriage license must be used for a ceremony in Massachusetts within sixty days from the date of filing the Intention of Marriage. The member of the clergy or Justice of the Peace who performs the ceremony must sign the license and return it to the Town Clerk's Office.


Special Circumstances

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 state or a county house of correction facility, intentions may be filed by either person.


Getting Married in Massachusetts

One-Day Marriage Designation