How to Apply for a Marriage License in Kentucky

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 Approved

Getting a marriage license if Kentucky is a relatively simple process. The couple needs to visit a county clerk’s office, complete an application, and pay an application fee. There are some additional requirements if either party is under 18 years old.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Getting a Marriage License in Kentucky if Both Parties are over 18

1
Visit the county clerk’s office to apply for a marriage license. You can apply to any county clerk’s office, unless the bride-to-be is under 18 years old. In that case, you must apply at the clerk’s office in the county where she resides.
- Both parties must be present to obtain a license.
- Some counties have more than one office. For example, Jefferson County has seven different branch locations you could use. Check your county’s website for specific locations.
2
Present your identification. You will need to present a Social Security card or some other government-issued form of identification in order to complete the application for a marriage license.
- Until July 15, 2016, the county clerk is required to report the Social Security numbers of all marriage license applicants to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to verify that there are no outstanding child support issues. After July 15, 2016, the Social Security number will be requested as a form of identification, but the number will not be recorded or shared with any other agency.
- At least one county clerk’s website says that a Social Security card is not required, but some other identification is acceptable (driver’s license, passport). You may wish to check with the specific clerk you intend to use.
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3
Complete the marriage license application. The application will ask you to provide certain information, along with signing a statement that all the information is true, to the best of your knowledge. The information that you must provide, for each person, is:
- name
- date of birth
- place of birth
- race
- gender
- current marital “situation” (single, divorced, widowed)
- number of previous marriages
- occupation
- current residence (you must provide your residence, but you are not required to be a Kentucky resident)
- relationship to each other (in Kentucky, nobody who is related any closer than second cousin may get married)
- full names of parents
- date of marriage
4
Pay the fee for the marriage license. In any county in Kentucky, the fee for obtaining a marriage license is $35. The clerk’s office is able to accept cash, certified checks, cashier's checks or money orders. In some cases, credit cards are acceptable as well. You should check the county’s website or call the clerk’s office to verify.
5
Complete the marriage ceremony within 30 days of receiving your license. If the 30-day time frame lapses, both applicants must repeat the whole process, which includes re-paying the $35 fee.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting a Marriage License in Kentucky if Either Party is Under 18

1
Apply in the county where the bride lives. This is a requirement if the bride-to-be is under 18 years old. Otherwise, you can apply in any county in Kentucky, if the bride-to-be is 18 years old or older. There is no similar requirement based on the age of the male.
2
Get your parents’ consent. If either of the people getting married is under 18, but over 16, then that person's parent must consent to the marriage, in writing. If both the bride and groom are under 18, then the parents of each must consent. Your parents will need to complete a Consent to Marriage Form, which is available from the clerk’s office.
- This applies to people who are under 18, but over 16, years old. This includes people who have had their 16th or 17th birthday.
- If your parents are divorced or separated and there has been an order issuing them joint custody, then they both must sign the application.
- If your parents are divorced or separated but there has not been an order of joint custody, then the parent who has legal custody must be the one to give consent.
- If a court has ordered a legal guardian for the person under 18, then that guardian must give consent.
3
Get an order from a judge under special circumstances. If the female getting married is pregnant, and is under 16 years of age, then you must apply for an order from a District Judge to get a marriage license. This is the only circumstance that allows someone under 16 years old to get married.
- There is an additional $5 fee for a District Judge consent order.
4
Be prepared for the consequences if you don’t have consent. If someone under 18 gets married in Kentucky without the proper consent, the court will issue a “receiver.” This is someone, appointed by the court, who will take legal possession and control of your property until you turn 18. During that time, the receiver will pay your bills and expenses, and is entitled to take a fee for his services out of your property as well.
5
Complete the marriage license application. After you have the appropriate consent, you will both need to visit the county clerk and complete the marriage license application. You will need proper identification, in the form of a social security card, passport or driver's license, and a $35 fee. To complete the application, you will need to provide:
- name
- date of birth
- place of birth
- race
- gender
- current marital “situation” (single, divorced, widowed)
- number of previous marriages
- occupation
- current residence (you must provide your residence, but you are not required to be a Kentucky resident)
- relationship to each other (in Kentucky, nobody who is related any closer than second cousin may get married)
- full names of parents
- date of marriage

Community Q&A

Question

Do I need to get married in the same county where the license was purchased?

Community Answer

No. You can get the license in any county and use it/turn it in in any county.
Question

Do you have to be a resident of Kentucky to marry there?

Community Answer

No, as long as both parties are over 18.
Question

Can 2 convicted felons get married in Kentucky?

Community Answer

There is nothing in the marriage laws in Kentucky that addresses either person's criminal history. Therefore, it appears that two convicted felons may get married.