Marriage License Waiting Period by State
Which states have no waiting period and which make you wait — grouped by category.
Waiting period data from state statutes — reviewed annually.No Waiting Period (Same-Day Issuance)
About 35 states issue the license on the spot — no cooling-off period. This is by far the most common rule, covering the majority of US states. Couples can apply and receive their license in a single visit to the county clerk’s office.
| State | Waiting Period | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | None | $45–$105 | Ala. Code §30-1-4 |
| Arizona | None | $83 | Ariz. Rev. Stat. §25-121 |
| Arkansas | None | $60 | Ark. Code §9-11-103 |
| California | None (same-day issuance) | $60–$105 | Cal. Fam. Code §350 |
| Colorado | None | $30 | Colo. Rev. Stat. §14-2-105 |
| Connecticut | None | $50 | Conn. Gen. Stat. §46b-24 |
| Georgia | None | $56–$76 | Ga. Code §19-3-21 |
| Hawaii | None | $65 | Haw. Rev. Stat. §572 |
| Idaho | None | $30–$98 | Idaho Code §32-412 |
| Indiana | None | $25–$98 | Ind. Code §31-11-4 |
| Kansas | None | $85.50 | Kan. Stat. §23-106 |
| Kentucky | None | $31.50–$52.50 | Ky. Rev. Stat. §402.080 |
| Maine | None (effective 2023; prior law required 3 days) | $40 | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A §651 |
| Minnesota | None | $115 | Minn. Stat. §517.08 |
| Mississippi | None | $21–$107 | Miss. Code §93-1-17 |
| Missouri | None | $51 | Mo. Rev. Stat. §451.040 |
| Montana | None | $53 | Mont. Code Ann. §40-1-301 |
| Nebraska | None | $25 | Neb. Rev. Stat. §42-104 |
| Nevada | None | $77–$102 | Nev. Rev. Stat. §122.040 |
| New Hampshire | None | $50 | N.H. Rev. Stat. §457:4 |
| New Mexico | None | $25–$100 | N.M. Stat. §40-1-6 |
| North Carolina | None | $60 | N.C. Gen. Stat. §51-7 |
| North Dakota | None | $65 | N.D. Cent. Code §14-03-03 |
| Ohio | None | $40–$75 | Ohio Rev. Code §3101.05 |
| Oklahoma | None | $50 | Okla. Stat. tit. 43 §3 |
| Rhode Island | None | $24 | R.I. Gen. Laws §15-3-3 |
| South Carolina | None (24 hours for minors) | $30–$70 | S.C. Code §20-1-20 |
| South Dakota | None | $40 | S.D. Codified Laws §25-1-2 |
| Tennessee | None | $93.50–$107.50 | Tenn. Code §36-3-103 |
| Utah | None | $50–$100 | Utah Code §30-1-9 |
| Vermont | None | $60 | Vt. Stat. tit. 18 §5141 |
| Virginia | None | $30–$82 | Va. Code §20-48 |
| West Virginia | None | $56 | W. Va. Code §48-2-301 |
| Wyoming | None | $30 | Wyo. Stat. §20-1-103 |
1– Day Waiting Period
Roughly a dozen states require a short pause between applying and receiving your license. The waiting period ranges from 24 hours (Delaware, Illinois, New York) to 3 full days (Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington). Most of these states offer a waiver for couples who complete a premarital education course.
| State | Waiting Period | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 3 days | $60 | AK Stat. §25.05 |
| Delaware | 24 hours | $50 | Del. Code §13-107 |
| Florida | 3 days (waivable with premarital course) | $93.50 | Fla. Stat. §741.04 |
| Illinois | 1 day | $60 | 750 ILCS 5/201 |
| Iowa | 3 days | $35 | Iowa Code §595 |
| Louisiana | 24 hours | $35–$92 | La. Rev. Stat. §9:241 |
| Maryland | 48 hours | $35–$85 | Md. Fam. Law §2-101 |
| Massachusetts | 3 days | $50 | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 207 §28 |
| Michigan | 3 days | $20–$60 | Mich. Comp. Laws §551.104 |
| New Jersey | 72 hours | $28–$35 | N.J. Stat. §37:1-10 |
| New York | 24 hours | $35–$40 | N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law §13 |
| Oregon | 3 days | $60–$97 | Or. Rev. Stat. §106.010 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 days | $45–$90 | Pa. Stat. tit. 23 §1304 |
| Texas | 72 hours (waivable for active military or with premarital course) | $60–$81 | Tex. Fam. Code §2.001 |
| Washington | 3 days | $69–$99 | Wash. Rev. Code §26.04.140 |
4–+ Day Waiting Period
Only a handful of states stretch the wait past three days. Wisconsin leads at 5 days (waivable with court approval), and New Jersey requires 72 hours. These longer waits are increasingly rare — only a few states still enforce them. If you are planning a wedding in one of these states, apply at least two weeks before your ceremony date.
| State | Waiting Period | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 5 days (waivable with court order) | $75–$120 | Wis. Stat. §765.08 |
Waiving the Waiting Period
Several states allow couples to waive the waiting period — typically by completing a premarital education course, obtaining a court order, or meeting military or emergency exceptions. Florida and Texas are the most well-known examples: both waive the waiting period and reduce the fee for couples who take a state-approved course. Always ask your county clerk about available waivers.
Source: state statutes, last reviewed 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the waiting period in California?
California has no waiting period. The license is issued the same day you apply at the county clerk’s office. Both parties must appear with valid photo ID. The license is valid for 90 days. Source: Cal. Fam. Code §350.
What is the marriage license waiting period in Florida?
Florida requires a 3-day waiting period for residents who have not completed a premarital education course. Couples who take a state-approved 4-hour premarital course get the waiting period waived AND the fee reduced by $32.50 (from $93.50 to $61). Non-residents have no waiting period. Source: Fla. Stat. §741.04.
Which states have no marriage license waiting period?
About 35 states issue marriage licenses the same day with no waiting period, including California, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina (adults), South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Can the waiting period be waived?
Several states allow waivers. Florida and Texas waive the waiting period for couples who complete a premarital education course. Wisconsin waives with a court order. Active military members often qualify for automatic waivers. Always check with your county clerk for the latest rules.