Marriage Rules - Massachusetts
Dear Future Newlyweds, Congratulations !!
We’re excited for you as you begin this wonderful journey together. At Town Hall, we want to make sure your process is as smooth and stress-free as possible. To help you out, we’ve outlined the steps you’ll need to take to submit the necessary forms to the Town Clerk’s office in order to meet the Commonwealth’s requirements.
2.
Begin Your Marriage Registration
Click on the “Click here to Start/Resume Marriage Registration” link on that page.
3.
Complete the Required Forms
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Notice of Intention form
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Supplementary form
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Worksheet form
When completing the Intention Form, please have your parents’ surnames at birth or adoption available. This may take a little extra effort to find, but it’s important to have.
4.
Choose Your Venue
By this point, you should have decided where you’d like to get married – Town Hall or another venue. Please select the venue you’ve chosen. If it’s at Town Hall, most of the information will autofill. For other venues, you’ll need to provide the venue name and address.
5.
Provide Officiant Information
Please include the name and address of your officiant.
6.
Submit Your Forms Online
Complete all three forms online and submit them to the attention of the Town Clerk. You will receive a confirmation email once submitted.
7.
Bring the Confirmation Email to the Town Clerk’s Office
When you visit the Town Clerk’s office, please bring the email confirmation you received.
8.
Pay the Required Fee
Be sure to pay the necessary fee at the time of submission.
9.
Important Reminder About Age Requirements
As of October 26, 2022, individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted to marry.
10.
Proof of Age
The Clerk’s office will require proof of age, as per MGL Ch.207 S.33A. Please bring ONE of the following forms of acceptable proof:
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Original or certified birth certificate
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Original or certified baptismal record
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Passport
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Life insurance policy
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Employment certificate
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School record
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Immigration record
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Naturalization record
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Court record
11.
Town Clerk’s Verification
The Town Clerk will verify the information on the forms. Both you and the Clerk will sign them, and the Clerk will officially accept and process the forms, providing you with copies.
12.
Pick Up Your Marriage License
You’ll be instructed to return to the Town Clerk’s office after three days to pick up your marriage license.
13.
Marriage Must Take Place Within 60 Days
You are required to marry within 60 days of receiving the marriage license.
14.
Officiant’s Role
Once you are married, your officiant will sign the marriage license and return it to the Town Hall. You will be notified once it has been processed.
15.
Requesting Copies
If you would like additional copies of your marriage certificate, you may request them from the Town Hall.
Best wishes as you take this next step together!