How to get married at City Hall

Any couple can get married as long as each person is 18 or older, and currently not married.

A marriage license is only good to use for 60 days in Massachusetts from the date you applied. You also can't use the marriage license outside of Massachusetts. You have to get married in the state.

If you have any questions about the license, contact the Registry Department at 617-635-4175, or email registry@boston.gov.

To apply for a marriage license, couples must apply together and in person, and you need to make an appointment. Use our online booking application to select a day and time for your appointment. 

• Marriage intention appointments must be booked in advance using our our online booking application. We are not currently taking walk in appointments. 
• You will receive an email confirmation once you book an appointment. The information will include a link so you can fill out your "PRE-INTENTION" form. Then, when you come in person, it will only take you minutes to review, edit, and sign your paperwork.
• When you apply in person, you'll need to bring your IDs, as well as $50 for the license fee. 
• Your marriage license expires 60 days from the date that you file and sign your marriage intention at the Registry Department on the day of your appointment.
• After your appointment, your marriage license will be available for pickup after a three-day wait. You will receive a pick-up card with these important dates. Anyone with the card may pick up the marriage license. 
• Massachusetts Law requires couples to have a valid marriage license to get married in the state.

After you book an appointment with us online, we will email you a link to a Marriage Intention form that you need to complete. You must provide us this information:

• your legal names, and what last name you will use after marriage
• where you both live now
• your dates of birth and where you were born
• the names of your parents, including maiden names, and whether or not your parents were married when you were born
• if you were previously married, we will need to know how many times, and
• if you were previously married, we need to know the date you were divorced or see your annulment papers.

When you come to City Hall for your appointment, we'll review and finalize your marriage intention form. At that appointment, you both need to provide us:

• valid identification (this includes passports, driver's licenses, state IDs, or military IDs)
• your Social Security numbers (if you do not have a Social Security number, you have to write down why — for example, it was never issued or you are not a resident), and
•  a $50 application fee. We take cash, a debit or credit card, or a money order made payable to the "City of Boston".

We hold our appointments at the Registry Division of City Hall:

1 City Hall Square, Room 213

Boston, MA 02201-2006

After you meet with us and finalize your paperwork, we will issue your marriage license and it will be available for pickup after a three day waiting period. The waiting period is mandated by state law but can be waived by a court. 

• If you want to waive the waiting period, a court needs to give you Marriage Without Delay Waiver to waive the waiting period. They will charge you a $195 fee. When you file your Marriage Intention form, ask us about which court you need to go to.
• Your license will expire 60 days from the date of your appointment with us. You must get the license before the wedding and give it to the person performing your ceremony.
• To register your marriage, the person performing your ceremony needs to complete the license and return it to the City.

To schedule your ceremony at City Hall, please contact:

• the City Clerk's Office, Room 601, book online, or if you are having technical difficulties please call 617-635-2684 or 617-635-2690
• the Boston Registry Department, Room 213, send an email, or book online. 

Wedding ceremonies at City Hall can be scheduled in Room 601 on Mondays, 2 - 3:30 p.m., Tuesdays, 2 - 3:30 p.m., Thursdays, 10 - 11:30 a.m. and 2 - 3:30 p.m. and Fridays, 10 - 11:30 a.m. and 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Wedding ceremonies at City Hall can be scheduled in Room 213 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 10 - 11:30 a.m. and 2 - 3:30 p.m.

The wedding ceremony costs $75 ($60 plus a $15 City service fee). If you are late, you will be charged an extra $25. We only accept cash.

The wedding ceremony will take about 15 minutes. If you need an interpreter, please make arrangements to have one at your ceremony. Please remember to bring your marriage license with you to City Hall.

• Please be on time and only four (4) guests will be allowed due to COVID-19 precautions. ALL guests must wear masks. No exceptions! 

Arrive at City Hall early. If you’re late, we charge an extra $25. The City Clerk and Assistant City Clerk are Justices of the Peace and perform ceremonies at:

1 City Hall Square, Room 601

Boston, MA 02201-2014

Both people need to bring a valid picture ID, like a driver’s license or a passport.