What do I need to do if I want to get married?

MARRIAGE LICENSES are obtained through the Town/City clerk office in any community in the Commonwealth. You must both apply in person. (An exception to this is if a person is in the military or incarcerated, then the filing may be done by one person so long as they are a Massachusetts resident. There is a Three (3) day waiting period before the license can be issued. This is (3) three full days. (File Monday, pick up on Friday). You need to bring an ID (drivers license).

 

If an out-of-state clergy person 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. The certificate is issued by the Public Records Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, it is to be attached to the original license and returned to the clerk of the city or town where the license was issued.

 

The address to write for the certificate (Commission) is:

Division of Public Records

Secretary of the Commonwealth

One Ashburton Place, Room 1719

Boston, MA 02108

(617)727-2836

 

If you require a Justice of the Peace contact the office as we have a list of local JP's.

 

The fee for a marriage license is Twenty (25) dollars and includes a certified copy of the license once it has been registered with the clerk & the state and will be mailed to  you at the address where you will be living after the ceremony.

 

If a couple is unable to get to the clerk's office during regular business hours, please contact the office at 508-429-0601 and an appointment will be set up at a time that will be mutually convenient.