Marriage Intentions Instructions

Filing For a Marriage License

Effective October 26, 2022, individuals under the age of 18 are prohibited from getting married. 

Important Documents

Please be prepared to show Proof of Age as mandated by MGL Ch. 207 S.33A. Bring one from the following list of acceptable proof:

  •  license or Real ID; 
  • an original or certified copy of a record of birth;
  • an original or certified copy of a baptismal record; 
  • a passport; 
  • a life insurance policy; 
  • an employment certificate; 
  • a school record; 
  • an immigration record; 
  • a naturalization record; 
  • a court record. 

Helpful information to know or have with you 

When you apply for a marriage license include:

  •  date of the wedding; 
  • name, address and phone number of the person performing the marriage; 
  • social security numbers; 
  • complete names and maiden names of each party's mother and father; 
  • the city town where each party was born. 

Couples must appear together to sign the Notice of Intention of Marriage. Both parties must be 18 years of age or older when filing and there is a three-day waiting period from the date of filing until the license to be married may be picked up. 

Processing

If a couple files on a Monday then the license can be picked up any time on Thursday or later. If a couple files on a Tuesday then the license can be picked up any time on Friday or later. 

A marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date you file the notice. Couples getting married in the state of Massachusetts can file anywhere in Massachusetts for a marriage license. If couples reside within the state of Massachusetts, we advise filing in your city/town of residence, or in the city/town where you are getting married. 

Copies

If you need copies of your marriage certificate, you will be more likely to remember where you got married than where you filed for the license. In Dracut, the fee for filing for a license is $30 and $10 for certified copies of your marriage certificate after marriage. The license is valid for sixty days, and may be used for a ceremony conducted in any Massachusetts city or town. A Member of the Clergy or Justice of the Peace who performs the ceremony must sign the license and return it to the city or town where the license was issued. List for Justice of the Peace Middlesex County - Updated 11/02/22

It typically takes a couple 15 to 20 minutes to complete a marriage license application. Please plan accordingly.