How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?
Nationally, expect somewhere between $20 and $172 depending on your state and county — there’s no single national fee. Here’s why it varies so much, and what actually moves the number.
Why the price isn’t the same everywhere
No federal law sets a marriage license fee. Each state passes its own marriage laws, and in the large majority of states, the state then hands the exact fee-setting power to the county (or, in a handful of states with no county-level marriage office, to the city or town). That’s why you’ll see real differences even between two counties in the same state — they’re not required to charge the same amount.
What actually changes the price
- Premarital education course. Several states (Texas, Georgia, Florida, and others) let counties offer a large discount — often $40–$60 off — if both applicants complete a short state-approved course and bring the certificate. In Texas, this can cut an $81 fee to about $21.
- Residency. A few counties charge non-residents significantly more. Some Texas counties, for example, charge $181 instead of $81 if neither applicant can show proof of Texas residency — Michigan does the same on a smaller scale ($30 instead of $20).
- License type. California is the clearest example: a confidential marriage license (sealed from public record, only available to already-cohabiting couples) typically costs more than the standard public license in the same county.
- What’s bundled in. Some counties fold in an optional civil ceremony or a certified copy of the certificate; others charge those separately. Always check what the quoted fee actually includes.
Typical price ranges, by state (researched counties)
We’re expanding this table state by state as we research each one in depth. For now, here’s what we’ve verified directly from official county sources — see each state’s own page for a full breakdown by county.
| Georgia | $56–$68.50 standard; $16–$28.50 with a premarital course certificate. Georgia guide → |
|---|---|
| Ohio | $60–$75 standard. Most counties don’t offer a premarital-course discount. Ohio guide → |
| Texas | $72–$82 standard for residents (up to $181 for non-residents in some counties); $12–$22 with a “Twogether in Texas” premarital course certificate. Texas guide → |
| California | Public license: $49–$129. Confidential license: $66–$144. Most counties require cash. California guide → |
| Michigan | $20 for Michigan residents, $30 if either applicant isn’t — among the cheapest states we’ve found. Michigan guide → |
| Virginia | $30 in Fairfax County, one of the lowest single figures we’ve verified. Virginia guide → |
| Illinois | $35–$60, varying by county. Illinois guide → |
| New York | $35 in the five NYC boroughs; $40 elsewhere in the state. New York guide → |
| Massachusetts | $35–$40 to file the Notice of Intention to Marry. Massachusetts guide → |
| Hawaii | $65 flat ($60 application + $5 online portal fee), the same statewide system for every county. Hawaii guide → |
| Utah | $50 in Salt Lake County, the county we’ve verified so far. Utah guide → |
| Pennsylvania | $85–$90 standard; a self-uniting (Quaker-style) license can cost a bit more. Pennsylvania guide → |
| Florida | $86–$93.50 standard (Palm Beach is a $136 outlier); around $61 with a premarital course. Florida guide → |
| Washington | $169–$172 flat, with no premarital-course discount — among the most expensive states we’ve found. Washington guide → |
| New Jersey | $28 flat, statewide — unlike almost every other state, this is set by state law rather than left to the local office. New Jersey guide → |
| Indiana | $25 for Indiana residents, $65 for out-of-state applicants. Indiana guide → |
| North Carolina | $60, consistent in the counties we’ve verified. North Carolina guide → |
| Missouri | $50 in St. Louis County, the county we’ve verified so far. Missouri guide → |
| Maryland | $35–$70, the widest county-to-county spread we’ve found in one state. Maryland guide → |
| Arizona | $98, consistent in the counties we’ve verified. Arizona guide → |
| Nevada | $102 in Clark County (Las Vegas), the county we’ve verified so far. Nevada guide → |
| Tennessee | $97.50 standard, $37.50 with a premarital course — one of the largest discounts we’ve found. Tennessee guide → |
| Minnesota | $115 standard, $40 with a notarized Statement of Premarital Education. Minnesota guide → |
| Wisconsin | $120 in Milwaukee County, non-refundable and due at filing. Wisconsin guide → |
For any other state, select it from our state-by-state requirements guide and check the specific county page — every county guide we publish includes its own verified fee.
What’s usually not included in the license fee
- Certified copies of the marriage certificate after the ceremony (often $10–$25 each, separate from the license fee)
- An officiant’s fee, if you hire one
- A name-change filing (Social Security card, driver’s license, passport) — see our after-the-wedding guide
Frequently asked questions
What’s the cheapest way to get a marriage license?
Where it’s offered, completing a state-approved premarital education course is usually the single biggest discount — often $40–$60 off in states like Texas and Georgia. Beyond that, fees are simply lower in some counties than others, so if you have flexibility about where you apply, it’s worth comparing neighboring counties.
Can we pay by credit card?
It depends on the county — many require cash only, or accept cards with an added convenience fee. Check your specific county’s guide before you go, since showing up without the accepted payment method is a common reason couples have to make a second trip.
Is the marriage license fee refundable if we don’t use it?
No. The fee covers issuing the license, not the ceremony itself, and it’s generally non-refundable whether or not you go through with the marriage before the license expires.
Does the fee include a certified copy of the marriage certificate?
Usually not. Most counties charge separately for certified copies after the ceremony is recorded, often $10–$25 each. Check your specific county’s guide, since a few counties do include one copy in the license fee.
Last verified: September 2026
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Dig into one rule across all the states we cover: waiting periods · how long a license is valid · minimum marriage age · premarital course discounts · license cost · out-of-state couples.