Marriage License Fee in Connecticut

The fee covers the town vital records office issuing the license and recording the marriage paperwork. The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) explains that anyone getting married in Connecticut must obtain a license from the vital records office in the town where the marriage will take place.

The fee is paid to that town office at the time of application and does not include officiant fees or certified copies after the marriage is recorded. This page summarizes the statewide fee, the application process, and the timing rules that determine when the license can be used.

The License to Get Married page explains that both applicants must appear in person at the local vital records office of that town. The license is issued by the town registrar of vital statistics and confirms that both applicants are eligible to marry.

Because Connecticut issues licenses locally, you should contact the town office in advance to confirm office hours, appointment policies, and accepted payment methods.

Some offices require appointments, while others may accept walk-ins during limited hours. Because both applicants must appear in person, choose a time that works for both of you and plan for travel to the ceremony town.

Contact the town clerk before you visit to confirm identification requirements, office hours, and any local procedures that could affect the timing of your application.

If you live in one town but plan to marry in another, you must apply in the town of the ceremony, not your town of residence. This can require travel and coordination with that town's office hours.

For destination weddings within Connecticut, schedule the application visit around the town clerk's availability and allow time for travel. Because the license is issued locally, processing times and appointment availability can vary, so contact the town office early in your planning process.

This is a statewide amount paid to the town vital records office where you apply. The fee is per license, not per person, and it is paid at the time of application.

Because each town handles its own payment processing, confirm whether the town accepts cash, checks, or cards before you apply, and ask about any local policies if your plans change.

Before your appointment, gather those details and make sure they match your identification documents.

Having the information ready helps the registrar complete the license during the same visit and keeps the application date clear for the 65-day validity window.

If you change the ceremony location to a different town, contact the original town clerk immediately to confirm what to do next. You may need to apply in the new town so the license matches the ceremony location, and the 65-day validity window will run from the new application date.

This is especially important for destination weddings or venue changes made close to the ceremony date.

The in-person application allows the registrar to review identity and eligibility requirements and ensures the license is issued correctly. If either applicant cannot appear in person, the license cannot be issued.

Plan for both applicants to attend the appointment together and bring the identification documents required by the town vital records office.

Errors in names, dates of birth, or residence information can cause delays or require corrections after the license is issued. Because the license becomes a vital record after the ceremony, it is important to ensure the information is correct at the time of application.

Review your identification documents before the appointment and confirm that your legal names and dates of birth match what you will report on the application.

The statute states that the license must include each applicant's name, age, birthplace, residence, and marital status and that Social Security numbers are recorded in the administrative section of the license. If the license is signed and sworn to on different dates, the later date becomes the official date of application.

This detail matters because the 65-day validity window runs from the application date.

This affects the 65-day validity window. To avoid shortening the window, both applicants should sign and swear to the application during the same visit when possible.

Completing the application together also reduces the chance of timing confusion and helps you plan the ceremony date within the allowed period.

Section 46b-24 states that the marriage ceremony must be performed within 65 days after the date of application. This means the date you apply starts the clock, not the date the license is issued.

If the ceremony does not occur within 65 days, the license expires and a new application and fee are required. Plan your application date so your ceremony falls within the 65-day window.

If you are scheduling a ceremony far in advance, wait until the window will cover the ceremony date before applying. If your ceremony is soon, apply early enough to secure an appointment at the town office.

Keep a record of the application date so you can confirm the exact expiration date and avoid accidentally scheduling outside the allowed period.

DPH repeats this requirement in its FAQ, directing applicants to the town where the marriage will take place. If you are marrying in a different town than where you live, you must apply in the town of the ceremony rather than your town of residence.

Confirm the town office in advance so you do not apply in the wrong location and lose time in the 65-day window.

If you are traveling into Connecticut for a ceremony, plan your application around the town office schedule and the 65-day window. You may need to arrive early to apply in person and to allow time for any scheduling constraints.

Coordinate your ceremony date with the application date so the 65-day validity period covers the day you plan to marry.

This removes a medical step from the process and means the application is focused on identification, eligibility, and sworn statements.

The removal of blood tests makes it easier to plan the application timeline, but you still need to appear in person and submit the application before the ceremony.

The license is filed in the official marriage records, and once registered it is referred to as a marriage certificate. This filing step is required to complete the record.

If you need certified copies later, the filing is the step that creates the official record.

If you know you will need a certified copy for name changes or benefits, ask the town clerk about the ordering process and fees once the license has been filed.

The statute includes judges and retired judges, justices of the peace, and ordained or licensed members of the clergy. Marriages performed according to the forms and usages of any religious denomination are valid.

The person officiating must be authorized to perform marriages in Connecticut and must physically conduct the ceremony.

Another common issue is misunderstanding the 65-day validity window and applying too early or too late. If the application date is miscalculated, the ceremony can fall outside the 65-day period and require a new license and fee.

Confirm the town office and the ceremony date before you apply to avoid delays.