If you are planning to be married in the state of Massachusetts, you must obtain a license in this state. An out of state license can not be used in Massachusetts. There are rules that you must follow, not only in this state, but in all of the states. Restrictions are different in each state. The following procedures are the ones you must follow for the state of Massachusetts. You will need to both apply in person. You cannot have someone else apply for the license. You may apply in the city that you live in, or if you live in another city in the state you can apply there. A person in the military may have the other party file for the license, as long as one is a Massachusetts resident. Once you obtain the license it is good for 60 days from the date the intention was filed. The license will not be valid outside of the state it is issued in.
There is also a three day waiting period. Sundays and holidays are included in the three days, but the day of the application is not. You will also need to check with the clerk to see if you have to pick up the license or if you can have it mailed to you. You will need a medical certificate in order to obtain the license. You can get a certificate from any physician licensed in the state. You may also obtain a certificate, if you live outside the state and are planning to marry in Massachusetts from:
The Bureau of Communicable Disease Control Certificates from other states are valid for the man as well as the woman. It is the responsibility of the physician to offer the woman a voluntary test for susceptibility to rubella and to discuss with each of the applicants AIDS educational material facts. If the out of state certificate does not contain the provisions, the physician must note them in a separate letter or a Massachusetts physician must complete those sections. The purpose of the medical certificate is to show that the individual has been examined and found free of communicable syphilis, and has also been offered a voluntary test for rubella and that the physician has discussed the AIDS information. You may not obtain a marriage license if you are found to have communicable syphilis. If you have had sufficient treatment and are found non-infectious the doctor may issues the medical certificate and the license can then be obtained. A test for AIDS is not required. The physician is responsible to discuss and provide educational material to the applicant. You can file for a marriage license without the medical certificate. The license cannot be issued until you have submitted the certificate. If you obtain the certificate before you file for the license you must file for the license within a 30 day period or the certificate will no longer be valid. Once you obtain the license it is valid for 60 days. Medical certificates that are obtained after the filing of the license are good for 60 days from the date of the filing, which is the length of time the marriage license itself is valid. If you are a widow or widower you do not have to bring a death certificate. Divorced couples should be certain that their divorce is absolute. It is the responsibility of the clergy or the justice of the peace to complete and sign the original license and return it to the clerk of the city where the license was issued. The cost of the a marriage license varies from city to city. Each city or town may have a city council or board that may set their own fee. If you have any questions about obtaining a marriage license please contact me, and I will try to give you the answer. Or if I do not know the answer I will contact the state and obtain the information for you.
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You will need to bring more than one piece of identification. You will need a valid proof of age. A driver’s license or a birth certificate will do the job. If you are under l8 years old, a notarized court order from a probate or district court where you reside must be obtained before the marriage intentions can be filed.