Welcome

$65.00 marriage license, fee must be paid at time of application. A fee of $5 must be paid for a certified copy of the marriage license at the same time. This will ensure that a certified copy will be mailed back to you once the license is received back in the office. A certified copy is required for all legal name changes. Fee can be paid by cash, check, or credit card (there is a small convenience fee for credit card)

For the Recorders Office to officiate the marriage the cost is $30.  An appointment is required for this office to officiate a wedding.

Marriage applications will be processed Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:00pm.  An appointment is strongly recommended.

In the state of North Dakota there is no waiting period after you apply for the license before the marriage may take place. The license must be used within 60 days and may be used anywhere in North Dakota. If the license is unused, it will be expired, no refunds are available. If the couple still wishes to get married, they will have to purchase a new marriage license.

Do not need to be a North Dakota resident. A license is only good for getting married in North Dakota.

North Dakota Century Code Chapter 14-03 defines the marriage contract and defines the laws regarding the issuance of marriage licenses in the State of North Dakota.

To apply for a marriage license you must:

Be at least 18 years of age (N.D.C.C.14-03-17.1.a)

• • If between the age of 16 and 18, you must have signed parental consent
  • Parents must accompany the applicant and have proof of identity
  • No one under the age of sixteen (16) will be issued a marriage license
• Have documentary evidence of age:
  • such as driver’s license, passport
• If either or both parties have been divorced, must have CERTIFIED copy of divorce decree (obtained from Clerk of Court in county where divorce was granted)
  • Certified copy of divorce decree is kept with application.
• Provide Social Security number on application
• Provide any surname or middle name changes at time of marriage
  • Applicants may change their surname at time of marriage to:
    • Surname of other spouse
    • Former surname of either spouse
    • A name combining into a single surname all or a segment of the pre-marriage surname or former surname of either spouse
    • A combination name with or without a hyphen, provided that each part of the combination surname is the pre-marriage surname or former surname of either spouse
  • Middle name may also be changed at time of marriage
    • New middle name must consist of pre-marriage surname or former surname of that individual
    • New middle name can be added to current middle name