If you're getting married in Kentucky, you must first apply for a marriage license.
It'll cost you $50.00, and you'll have to use it within 30 days.
Before getting married in Kentucky, you must apply for a marriage license at any county clerk's office.
There are no residency requirements to get a marriage license.
A Kentucky marriage license costs $50 throughout the Commonwealth. The fee is nonrefundable.
Note: Effective January 1, 2020, the marriage license fee increased from $35.50 to $50.00.
The marriage license fee includes a certified copy of your marriage certificate, which will be mailed to you after marriage.
Your Kentucky marriage license can be used anywhere in the Commonwealth. It's only valid in Kentucky.
Only Kentucky marriage licenses are valid for use in Kentucky.
The marriage license application will ask for your name, date of birth, place of birth, residence, gender, race, occupation, social security number, parents' names, prior marriage count, and marital status (e.g., single, divorced, widowed).
You must apply for your marriage license in person alongside your future spouse.
If you're 18 years old or older, you can marry without parental consent.
If you're 17 years old, you can marry someone no more than four years your senior with permission from the family court and your custodial parents or guardian. Petition the court in your county of residence.
Minors below the age of 17 can no longer marry in Kentucky, regardless of parental consent or pregnancy.
Consenting parents must live in Kentucky. The clerk's office provides the consent form. If divorced, bring proof of custody.
On March 29, 2018, Governor Matt Bevin signed SB48 into law, which prohibits marriage below the age of 17 and requires 17-year olds to petition the family court to marry someone no more than four years their senior.
You'll receive your marriage license the same day you apply for it. You can get married the same day.
Your marriage license will remain valid for 30 days after issuance, which includes the day it's issued.
Bring government-issued photo ID to confirm your age, such as a driver's license, state-issued ID card, or passport.
Note: Some county clerks do not accept military ID.
Only minors below the age of 18 are required to bring a certified copy of their birth certificate.
Some county clerks will ask to see your social security card.
The premarital blood test requirement was repealed effective July 15, 1982.
If divorced, you do not need to bring a copy of your divorce records.
If widowed, your late spouse's death certificate will not be requested.
You can use an online name change kit to change your name after marriage, as the process isn't automatic. Your marriage certificate will be the authorizing document. Start with your social security card before moving onto other documents.
There must be at least two witnesses present at your marriage ceremony. Their names will be recorded on your certificate of marriage.
Your marriage can be solemnized by a judge, justice of the peace, county executive, minister of any religious denomination, or religious society's customs.
County clerk offices do not conduct civil ceremonies. However, they're usually able to direct you to an available judge.
Your marriage license should be returned to the county clerk that issued it within a month after marriage.
Your marriage license purchase includes a certified copy of your marriage certificate. Go to the same county clerk for extra copies, which are $10.50. The Kentucky's office of vital statistics also sells them for $6.
You cannot get married by proxy. No stand-ins or surrogates allowed at the ceremony. You must be present.
You can't marry your first cousin. Second cousins and beyond are allowed.
You can't marry anyone in your family who's closer to you than a second cousin.
Kentucky hasn't recognized the validity of common-law marriage since 1852.
Where will you apply?
Share your questions or comments
What if we dont want anyone to know that we are getting married
There's nothing you can do to prevent this. You cannot get married anonymously. In Kentucky, marriage records are public records. Anyone can obtain a certified copy of your marriage certificate. They don't have to know you. They don't even have to claim to know you.
what will we do about witness
You'll need two witnesses at your marriage ceremony. Their names will show up on your marriage certificate as well. There's no avoiding this.
Amy says: How soon is the marriage certificate sent after returning it to the county clerks office? Staff says: Hi Amy. You'll have to give it about a week after it's been recorded. Nina says: How much does it cost to get married at the JOP? Staff says:The cost to hire a justice of the peace to officiate your civil ceremony isn't set or regulated by Kentucky law or its counties. You'll have to negotiate the rate with your JOP like you would any other wedding professional (e.g., photographer, wedding planner).
David says: Any information about what to do if your spouse is foreign? Are the requirements all the same? Staff says: Hi David. The marriage requirements are the same for foreign applicants and U.S. citizens. Kim says:When i get the marriage license would they be able to direct me to someone that could perform the ceremony like a jop?
Staff says: Hi Kim. Yes, they can direct you to a judge or justice of the peace. KNS says: Is a marriage certificate in Kentucky valid in other states or only in Kentucky? Editor says:Is a marriage certificate in Kentucky valid in other states
Generally, a marriage that's valid in one state is valid in all states. However, if the marriage could not have taken place in a given state, it might not be recognized in that state. For instance, prohibitions against underage marriage or marrying a close relative.
Dave says: I’ve been married not a Kentucky resident what paperwork will I need Editor says:Hi Dave. I'm not sure what you're asking. Kentucky doesn't have residency requirements to marry if that's what you're referring to. You also don't have to be a resident of Kentucky for an out-of-state marriage to be considered valid in the Commonwealth.
Jennifer says:When does the marriage actually become legal? For example, a license was issued, a ceremony was performed, the license was signed, but it was never filed at the courthouse. If the license is never filed, are two people actually legally married?
Editor says:If the license is never filed, are two people actually legally married?
The marriage is valid, but there's no proof of its existence on file with the state. There's nothing to prevent the couple from filing the marriage license late to get the marriage on the books.
Karen Warren says: If a spouse to be is a hospice patient, unable to be moved, how can a marriage license be obtained? Editor says:Hi Karen. You'll have to contact the county clerk and ask that special arrangements be made due to extraordinary circumstances.
Tonia Starkey says: Do I need to make an appointment because the virus? Editor says: Hi Tonia. It's possible. Which county are you applying in? Liz says: I need help finding an available JOP and 2 witnesses. Editor says:Hi Liz. Contact your county clerk's office for help finding a local justice of the peace. The Justice may be able to provide witnesses as well.
Adam says: Do the two witnesses at a wedding ceremony in Kentucky have to be at least 18 years of age? Editor says: Hi Adam. There's no minimum age provision for marriage ceremony witnesses in Kentucky law. Alec Blevins says: If I'm in the military and cannot be there in person. Is there still a way to get married in KY? Editor says: Hi Alec. You must be there in person to get married. Addison says:It says we can get married same day we obtain pur license, do we have to make an appointment for that or how does that work?
Editor says:Hi Addison. This means there's no waiting period. You'll get your marriage license the same day you apply. That doesn't mean the county clerk will perform your marriage ceremony. They don't do that. You'll have to get in touch with a judge. They should be able to direct you to one. Still, you'll want to schedule your ceremony well ahead of time. Assuming you'll get an available judge the same day you apply is risky.
Tammy Jeffries says: Looking for someone to Marry us on October 23, 2021. Editor says: Hi Tammy. It's better that you contact a county clerk for a referral. Nicole says: My spouse is incarcerated. How do I go about doing this is it possible? Editor says: Hi Nicole. Your partner must file a written request with the warden. Sarah says: Can the judge from for this on the same day. Ty Editor says:Hi Sarah. You'll want to schedule your ceremony in advance. You can ask that it coincide with your date of application.
Ashley Cary says:Hey. I was just wondering I live in TN but was wanting to get married in KY. Would there be a waiting period for the judge?
Editor says:Would there be a waiting period for the judge?
There's no waiting period to receive your marriage license. If you're asking about a waiting period (or wait list) to get married by a judge, then that's separate from your license. That's based on their schedule and availability. It's doubtful your out-of-state status would be a factor.
Rae says:My fiancé and I are having a destination wedding out of state, but we are both residents of KY. We would like to get our marriage license in KY. Could we apply for a marriage certificate in KY, have our officiant perform the ceremony in Oregon, sign the document in Oregon, and return it to Kentucky? If this is not possible, does it cost anything to have a judge marry us?
Editor says:Hi Rae. Your marriage must take place in Kentucky when you get a KY marriage license. If you're getting married in Oregon, you must get an Oregon marriage license.
Judi Hennessey says:I live in Garrard County but wish to be married in Jessamine County. Which county do I apply for a license in?
Editor says: Hi Judi. It doesn't matter which Kentucky county you apply in. Mike says:I've never been married before and this whole process is kind of confusing. Is there someone I can call or contact to help us through each step and how we should set everything up? We're non-religious and would like to just be legally married for now. Is it also possible to get legally married and save the actual wedding for a few years later like we have planned, or do we need to wait to file for a license until we're ready for a wedding?
Editor says:Is there someone I can call or contact to help us through each stepYou can contact the county clerk.
We're non-religious and would like to just be legally married for now.
You can hire an officiant that handles nonreligious ceremonies. You can also ask the county clerk for a referral for judges or justices of the peace who perform nonreligious ceremonies.
Is it also possible to get legally married and save the actual wedding for a few years later
Yes, the former would be legal, while the latter would be informal. You would only need to obtain a marriage license for the former.
Lisa McKay says:So I have been divorced for three years and my name never changed. Do I need to still provide a divorce paperwork?