Connecticut Marriage License Requirements
If you're getting married in the state of Connecticut you must first apply for a wedding license at any in-state county clerk office. These offices, some of which are referred to as the "marriage license bureau," are usually located in the county probate court or circuit court. This document outlines the requirements you must adhere to in order to get a valid marriage license that can be used statewide. Let's begin…
Cost of Your License
How much does a marriage license cost?
The marriage license fee is $30.00 to $35.00 dollars. Accepted forms of payment are cash.
Residency Requirement
Are there any special residency conditions for in-state or out-of-state residents?
There are none. You do not have to be a previous or current resident of Connecticut to obtain a marriage license that will be valid statewide.
Waiting Period
After I submit my application how long do I have to wait before I receive my marriage license?
There is no waiting period. You will receive your marriage license immediately after you submit your application.
Is there a waiting period from the moment the license is given to me to the date I'm allowed to actually marry?
No, you can get married immediately after your marriage license is issued.
License Expiration
How long will my marriage license remain valid once it's been issued?
Your license will expire 65 days from the date it is issued. Once it expires, it can no longer be used to get married.
What happens if my marriage license expires before I get a chance to use it?
Unfortunately, you'll just have to get a brand new one as your expired one will no longer be recognized as valid by the state nor by the person who will be responsible for officiating your marriage.
Age Requirement
How old must I be to get married?
You must be at least 18 years of age or older to marry without parental consent. A birth certificate may be necessary to show proof of age.
What if one or both of us is younger than 18?
If either partner is under 18, one parent or legal guardian must be present. If a parent can not be present, due to death, separation, divorce or other circumstances, proper evidence must be presented for verification. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are under 16 you can not marry without a court order.
Blood Test
Are blood tests and physical exams required?
As of October 1, 2003, blood tests are no longer required.
Divorced or Widowed Applicants
What if one or both partners have been divorced or have had a spouse die?
If you were previously married, the date of your divorce or the date of your spouse's death must be provided. Bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. If necessary, a copy of your divorce records or spouse's death certificate can be ordered from your local vital records office and mailed to you.
Marriage Name Change
How do I legally change my name before or after I get married?
When you are married, you will receive a marriage certificate, which is a piece of paper proving that you are legally married. This document will serve as evidence of your marriage, which you'll need to complete the process of notifying several government agencies about your name change, as well as any non-government institutions that you do business with (ie, banks, employers, credit cards, memberships, etc).
There is an online marriage name change kit that you can use and complete before or after your marriage takes place. It's applicable for Connecticut or any other state in the union. Completing all the necessary name change documentation prior to your wedding is recommended in order to expedite the name change process.
Proxy Marriage
What is a proxy marriage?
A proxy marriage, also known as a "proxy wedding," is when one or both partners to be married are unable to physically attend the ceremony. The missing person, or persons, will have someone "stand in" for them and serve as their "proxy."
Can I get married by proxy if I'm unable to to be present for the ceremony?
No, getting married by proxy is not allowed in Connecticut. There are actually only five states left that do allow marriage by proxy.
Common Law Marriage
What is a common law marriage?
The term "common law marriage" refers to an informal marriage, based upon cohabitation and a mutual understanding by both partners, rather than getting married through a civil or religious ceremony. The latter, more common approach, would require an actual Connecticut marriage license.
Is a common law marriage a legal option for me instead of undergoing a conventional marriage?
No, common-law marriages are not allowed in Connecticut. This is unsurprising as only one-fifth of the country currently recognizes common law marriage.
Cousin Marriage
Can I get married to my cousin?
Yes, cousin marriages (first, second, etc) are allowed to take place.
Same Sex Marriage
Are same sex marriages legal?
Yes, same-sex marriages are allowed and legally recognized in Connecticut.
Where to Go
Where do I physically need to go to get my marriage license?
Connecticut has 169 offices where a marriage license can be acquired. Simply choose a location below to visit. Phone numbers as well as map and accompanying driving direction links are provided for every address.
Andover, CT 06232
Ansonia, CT 06401
Ashford, CT 06278
Avon, CT 06001
Pleasant Valley, CT 06063
Beacon Falls, CT 06403
Kensington, CT 06037
Bethel, CT 06801
Bethlehem, CT 06751
Bloomfield, CT 06002
Bolton, CT 06043
Bozrah, CT 06334
Branford, CT 06405
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Bridgewater, CT 06752
Bristol, CT 06010
Brookfield, CT 06804
Brooklyn, CT 06234
Burlington, CT 06013
Falls Village, CT 06031
Canterbury, CT 06331
Collinsville, CT 06022
Chaplin, CT 06235
Cheshire, CT 06410
Chester, CT 06412
Clinton, CT 06413
Colchester, CT 06415
Colebrook, CT 06021
Collinsville, CT 06022
Columbia, CT 06237
Cornwall, CT 06753
Coventry, CT 06238
Cromwell, CT 06416
Danbury, CT 06810
Darien, CT 06820
Deep River, CT 06417
Derby, CT 06418
Durham, CT 06422
East Granby, CT 06026
East Haddam, CT 06423
East Hampton, CT 06424
East Hartford, CT 06108
East Haven, CT 06512
Niantic, CT 06357
Broad Brook, CT 06016
Eastford, CT 06242
Easton, CT 06612
Ellington, CT 06029
Enfield, CT 06082
Essex, CT 06426
Fairfield, CT 06430
Farmington, CT 06034
North Franklin, CT 06254
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Goshen, CT 06756
Granby, CT 06035
Greenwich, CT 06836
Jewett, CT 06351
Groton, CT 06340
Guilford, CT 06437
Haddam, CT 06438
Hamden, CT 06518
Hampton, CT 06247
Hartford, CT 06103
East Hartland, CT 06027
Harwinton, CT 06791
Hebron, CT 06248
Shelton, CT 06484
Kent, CT 06757
Danielson, CT 06239
Lebanon, CT 06249
Ledyard, CT 06339
Lisbon, CT 06351
Litchfield, CT 06759
Lyme, CT 06371
Madison, CT 06443
Manchester, CT 06040
Mansfield, CT 06268
Marlborough, CT 06447
Meriden, CT 06450
Middlebury, CT 06762
Middlefield, CT 06455
Middletown, CT 06457
Milford, CT 06460
Monroe, CT 06468
Uncasville, CT 06382
Morris, CT 06763
Naugatuck, CT 06770
New Britain, CT 06051
New Canaan, CT 06840
New Fairfield, CT 06812
New Hartford, CT 06057
New Haven, CT 06510
New London, CT 06320
New Milford, CT 06776
Newington, CT 06111
Newtown, CT 06470
Norfolk, CT 06058
North Branford, CT 06471
North Canaan, CT 06018
North Haven, CT 06473
N. Stonington, CT 06350
Norwalk, CT 06856
Norwich, CT 06360
Old Lyme, CT 06371
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Orange, CT 06477
Oxford, CT 06483
Plainfield, CT 06374
Plainville, CT 06062
Terryville, CT 06786
Pomfret Center, CT 06259
Portland, CT 06480
Preston, CT 06365
Prospect, CT 06712
Putnam, CT 06260
Redding, CT 06875
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Roxbury, CT 06783
Salisbury, CT 06068
Scotland, CT 06264
Seymour, CT 06483
Sharon, CT 06069
Shelton, CT 06484
Sherman, CT 06784
Simsbury, CT 06070
Somers, CT 06071
South Windsor, CT 06074
Southbury, CT 06488
Southington, CT 06489
Baltic, CT 06330
Stafford Spring, CT 06076
Stamford, CT 06804
Oneco, CT 06373
Stonington, CT 06378
Stratford, CT 06497
Suffield, CT 06078
Thomaston, CT 06787
N.Grosvenorvale, CT 06255
Tolland, CT 06084
Torrington, CT 06790
Trumbull, CT 06611
Union, CT 06076
Rockville, CT 06066
Voluntown, CT 06384
Wallingford, CT 06492
Vermont, CT 06754
Washington, CT 06794
Waterbury, CT 06702
Waterford, CT 06385
Watertown, CT 06795
West Hartford, CT 06107
West Haven, CT 06516
Westbrook, CT 06498
Weston, CT 06883
Westport, CT 06881
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Willington, CT 06279
Wilton, CT 06897
Winsted, CT 06098
Winsted, CT 06098
Williamantic, CT 06226
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Windsor, CT 06095
Wolcott, CT 06716
Woodbridge, CT 06525
Woodbury, CT 06798
Woodstock, CT 06281
