Apply for a Marriage License

A marriage license is required by the Marriage License Laws of Connecticut. The procedure for obtaining the marriage license and other related information is stated here:

• A blood test is no longer required
• Both parties must appear in person to apply for marriage license
• You must apply in the town where the ceremony will be held
• License is valid for 65 days from date of application

You may download the Marriage License Worksheet (PDF) to bring with you. View the Marriage License Worksheet en español (PDF). 

You also may request a certified copy of your license (available after the license has been returned to our office and completed online)

Applicants 18 years of age or over do not require parental consent or Probate Court Judge approval to marry in Connecticut.

View the new legislation that updates Connecticut's marriage statutes by prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from receiving a marriage license, beginning July 1, 2023. 

A full legal name is required, meaning first, middle, and last name. No abbreviations, nicknames or initials. The information for the marriage license should appear as it does on your birth certificate, unless your name has been legally changed (i.e., previous marriage, court order name change).

View the Marriage License Laws of Connecticut, VS-12 Rev. 09/2023 (PDF).

Each person applying for a marriage license shall provide the local registrar with a valid, government issued photographic identification that includes the applicant's date of birth, signature and an expiration date. If a photographic identification is unavailable, the applicant shall provide two of the following documents, unless otherwise indicated:

• Social security card
• Social security card supplemented with either an employment identification card, a paycheck stub or a W-2 form. Providing the documents listed in this provision fully satisfies the identification requirements
• Automobile registration
• Copy of utility bill showing name and current address
• Checking account deposit slip or bank statement stating name and current address
• Voter registration card
• Valid government-issued trade or professional license
• Valid government-issued firearm permit
• Probation documents issued by a court or other government agency, pursuant to a criminal conviction;
• Letter from a government agency verifying identity. The letter shall be dated within six months prior to the date of the request
• Release documentation from a correctional institution containing a photograph of the former inmate and a release date within 12 months prior to the date of the request
• Birth certificate of the applicant
• Military discharge papers
• Current school or college photographic identification
• Government-issued photographic identification that has expired within 12 months prior to the date of the request
• Other documents as approved by the State Registrar of Vital Records

C.G.S. § 46b-22 lists persons authorized to perform marriages in Connecticut. Authorized officiators are:

• All judges, including out-of-state judges who are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in their jurisdictions.
• Family support magistrates, state referees and justices of the peace who are appointed in Connecticut.
• All ordained or licensed members of the clergy, belonging to this state or any other state. Persons ordained online and who are given the authority to officiate marriages through such ordination, do meet the statutory requirements.

The social security numbers of the parties to a marriage shall be obtained by the local registrar by way of a worksheet, but shall not appear on the issued license. Upon return of the license signed by the officiator, the local registrar shall enter the social security numbers in the Administrative Purposes section of the marriage certificate. (§§ 7-51a(b), 46b-25)

State and federal law requires that social security numbers be kept confidential. Therefore, marriage certificates containing social security numbers may only be disclosed to the parties to the marriage, and to agents of the Department of Social Services for the purpose of child support enforcement. In all other instances, when a request is made to view or obtain a copy of a certificate, the certificate shall be made with the social security numbers redacted.

Not all states and countries have the same requirements. Contact the state or country in which the marriage ceremony will be held.