Marriage license requirements are state-regulated and may be obtained from the County Clerk in most county courthouses.
Options: Some states (California and Nevada, for example) offer two types of marriage licenses: a public license and a confidential one. The public license is the most common one and requires a health certificate and a blood test. It can only be obtained at the County Clerk's office.
The confidential license is usually less expensive and does not require a health certificate or blood test. If offered, it can usually be obtained from most Justices of the Peace. An oath must be taken in order to receive either license.
Things To Consider: Requirements vary from state to state but generally include the following points:
1. Applying for and paying the fee for the marriage license. There is usually a waiting period before the license is valid and a limited time before it expires.
2. Meeting residency requirements for the state and/or county where the ceremony will take place.
3. Meeting the legal age requirements for both bride and groom or having parental consent.
4. Presenting any required identification, birth or baptismal certificates, marriage eligibility or other documents.
5. Obtaining a medical examination and/or blood test for both the bride and groom to detect communicable diseases.