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A step-by-step LDS guide to applying for your marriage license

Let’s be honest — when you're planning your wedding, it’s easy to get caught up in dresses and flowers and forget one of the most important steps: legally getting married!

Before you can be sealed in the temple or have your civil wedding ceremony, you’ll need a marriage license from the county where you’re getting married. This simple piece of paper is what makes your marriage legal in the eyes of the state — and yes, it matters!

Whether you’re weeks away from your big day or just starting your wedding prep, here’s everything you need to know about marriage licenses.

Why You Need a Marriage License

As eternal as your temple sealing is, the government still requires a legal marriage certificate to recognize your union. The marriage license is what gives your ceremony legal standing, whether it takes place in a temple, chapel, or home.

After your wedding, this license is signed and returned to the county, and then they send you a marriage certificate — the official document that shows you are legally married.

When to Get It

Timing is everything.

Each state has its own rules for how far in advance you can apply for your marriage license. Most counties suggest applying within 30 days of your wedding to ensure it stays valid. In fact, some licenses expire in just 3 days, while others are valid for 60 days or more.

Some states have a waiting period (usually 1–3 days), which means you can’t use the license the same day you get it. Others allow same-day ceremonies. Be sure to ask when you apply.

Pro Tip: Don’t wait until the week of your wedding. The last thing you want is a last-minute panic because the clerk’s office was closed or you forgot your ID.

What It Costs in 2025

Marriage license fees vary by state and even by county. As of 2025:

• Utah marriage licenses cost $50–$60

• California licenses range from $85–$105

• Texas typically charges $60–$82

• Arizona costs about $83–$89

Some states offer discounts if you complete a premarital education course, so ask when you apply — it could save you money and be a great way to prepare together.

What You’ll Need

When applying for your marriage license, both of you will typically need to:

• Appear in person

• Be at least 18 years old (or meet your state’s age requirements)

• Show a valid photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)

• Know your Social Security numbers

• Possibly bring proof of divorce if either of you was previously married

Also, remember: In many states, the marriage license has to be used in the same county where it was issued.

LDS Temple Marriages and Legal Requirements

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the temple sealing is a sacred religious ordinance. But the marriage license and civil ceremony still need to follow local laws.

In some areas, the sealing itself is also the legal ceremony — in others, you may need a brief civil marriage before or after. Check with your temple and local laws to know what’s required.

Your officiant may also need to be registered with the county, so double-check that your officiant is approved if you're not marrying in a temple.

After the Wedding: What Happens to the License?

After your ceremony, your officiant (or sealer, bishop, or civil official) will sign the license and return it to the issuing county. This step is required for the marriage to be legally recognized.

A few weeks later, you’ll receive your official marriage certificate in the mail — which you’ll use to:

• Change your name (if desired)

• Update Social Security, bank accounts, etc.

• Prove your legal marital status

Pro Tip: Ask for 2–3 certified copies when you apply, so you have extras on hand.

A Note from the Heart

It may seem like a small piece of paper, but this document represents something so much bigger: your eternal partnership.

Even though it’s just a legal step, it’s also a sacred one. You’re not just planning a wedding — you’re building a life together.

Take care of this part early so you can focus on your sealing day, your celebration, and the beautiful journey ahead.