Do you need a blood test to get married: Marriage License and Blood Test Requirements By State
Marriage License and Blood Test Requirements By State
State-by-state requirements for marriage licenses, including where to get them, waiting periods, and how long licenses are good for.
By E.A. Gjelten, Legal Editor
If you want to get married in the vast majority of U.S. states, you’ll need to get a marriage license and have a wedding ceremony. Each state has its own requirements for getting a license, including where and how to apply for the license, whether there’s a waiting period before you may get married, and how long the license is good for (whether it will expire if you don’t get married within a certain period of time). We’ve outlined these key requirements in the chart below for all 50 U.S. states, plus the District of Columbia. (Learn more about marriage requirements, licenses, and ceremonies.)
Do You Need Blood Tests to Get Married?
Almost all states in the U.S. have dropped any blood-test requirements before getting married. The only (partial) exception is New York, which requires that Black and Latino applicants for marriage licenses take a blood test for sickle cell anemia. The law allows religious exemptions, and the results of the test won’t affect anyone’s ability to get married. (N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 13-aa (2022).)
In place of mandatory blood tests, some states require that applicants for marriage licenses read a brochure or pamphlet that includes information about inherited and sexually transmitted diseases (such as AIDS), as well as how to get tests for those diseases.
Fees for Marriage Licenses
The fees for marriage licenses vary widely across the country. Usually those fees fall somewhere in the range of $35 to $75, but they can be as low as $20 or as high as $120.
We haven’t included license fees in the chart below, because they’re often different from county to county within a state—and they can change at any time. Also, some states will give a discount on the fee for couples who complete a premarital education course, while a few states charge more for out-of-state residents (think destination weddings).
Check with the court clerk’s office or other government office that will issue your license (as spelled out in the chart below) to find out the current license fee, as well as the methods of payment they’ll accept. You can find contact information by searching online for the appropriate county and the name of the court or office.
Waiting Periods for Marriage Licenses and Weddings
The waiting periods shown in the chart below may affect when you receive the marriage license after applying for it or the effective date on the license—when you’re allowed to use it. Regardless of the specifics, a waiting period means that you probably won’t be able to get married right after you apply for a license, unless you qualify for any waiver allowed in your state.
In some states, the waiting period is actually the minimum amount of time between applying for a license and either receiving or using it to get married. Regardless of any legal waiting period in your state, processing times for marriage license applications can vary. Don’t expect that you’ll always receive your license on the same day you submit your application.
It’s a good idea to plan ahead and give yourself enough time to get the license before your long-planned ceremony. That’s because it’s usually illegal to get married or perform a wedding ceremony without a valid marriage license. But it’s probably not a good idea to apply for your marriage license too far ahead of time, because the license may not be good for very long in the state where you’re planning to get married. Check the chart for details.
Many states (or counties) allow you to apply for a marriage license online or by mail. But you’ll generally have to show up in person to receive the license, and many states require both partners to appear.
State-by-State Marriage License Requirements
As with all laws, states may change their requirements for marriage licenses at any time. You can check the current statutes by searching on the Library of Congress’s Guide to Law Online, follow the links below to state court websites with current information about marriage licenses, or check with the local authority that issues licenses.
| State | Waiting Period to Marry | License Expiration | Who Issues License | Notes/Laws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | N/A* | N/A | N/A | No license required, but must submit marriage certificate to probate court within 30 days after signing. |
| Alaska | 3 days* | 3 months | Alaska State Vital Records Section or county court clerk | Waiting period may be waived if it would cause undue hardship. Alaska Stat. §§ 25.05.091, 25.05.111, 25.05.121 (2022) |
| Arizona | None | 1 year | Any county clerk* | May apply at some city/town clerks or justice of peace offices. Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-121, 25-126, 25-127 (2022) |
| Arkansas | None* | 60 days | Any court clerk | 5-day waiting period for 17-year-olds. Ark. Code §§ 9-11-203, 9-11-218 (2022) |
| California | None | 90 days | Any county clerk or recorder’s office |
Cal. Fam. Code §§ 350–360 (2022) |
| Colorado | None | 30 days | Any county clerk or recorder’s office |
Colo. |
| Connecticut | None | 65 days | Vital Records Office* | Must apply for license in town where ceremony will take place. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-24 (2022) |
| Delaware | 24 hours* | 30 days* | County clerk (Marriage Bureau) | Waiting or expiration period may be waived for good reason. Del. Code tit. 13, §§ 107, 109 (2022) |
| District of Columbia | None | No expiration | Court clerk (Marriage Bureau) |
D.C. Code § 46-410 (2022) |
| Florida | 3 days* | 60 days | Any circuit court clerk | No waiting period with completion of premarital course, for nonresidents, or in case of hardship. Fla. Stat. §§ 741.04, 741.041 (2022) |
| Georgia | None | No expiration | Probate court* | Georgia residents may apply for license in any county, but nonresidents must apply in county where wedding will take place. |
| Hawaii | None | 30 days | State Health Department | Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 572-5, 572-6 (2022) |
| Idaho | None | No expiration | Any county recorder | Idaho Code § 32-403 (2022) |
| Illinois | 1 day | 60 days | Local county clerk* | Must apply in county where wedding will take place. 750 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/203, 5/207 (2022) |
| Indiana | None | 60 days | County clerk* | Indiana residents apply in county where one of applicants lives; out-of-state residents apply where wedding will take place. Ind. Code §§ 31-11-4-3, 31-11-4-10 (2022) |
| Iowa | 3 days* | 6 months | Registrar of Vital Statistics in any county | Waiting period may be waived in emergency or extraordinary circumstances. Iowa Code § 595.4 (2022) |
| Kansas | 3 days* | 6 months | Any district court clerk | Minimum waiting period may be waived in emergency or extraordinary circumstances, but application processing may take 2 weeks. |
| Kentucky | None | 30 days | Any county clerk | Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 402.100, 402.105 (2022) |
| Louisiana | 24 hours* | 30 days | Any parish-level court clerk* | In Orleans Parish, licenses issued by State Registrar of Vital Records or any city court judge. Waiting period may be waived for good reason. La. Rev. Stat. §§ 9:221, 9:222, 9:235, 9:241, 9:242 (2022) |
| Maine | None | 90 days | Town clerk* or State Registrar of Vital Statistics | Apply at town office where one applicant lives; nonresidents apply at any town office. Md. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, §§ 651, 652 (2022) |
| Maryland | 2 days | 6 months | Circuit court clerk* | Apply in county where wedding will take place, but applicants may apply for nonresident marriage license by mail if neither lives in that county. Md. Code, Fam. Law §§ 2-405, 2-409 (2022) |
| Massachusetts | 3 days* | 60 days | Any city or town clerk | Marriage license is called «certificate of intention of marriage. |
| Michigan | 3 days* | 33 days | County clerk* | Apply in county where either applicant lives or, if both are nonresidents, in county where wedding will take place. Waiting period may be waived for good reason. Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 551.101, 551.103a (2022) |
| Minnesota | None | 6 months | Any county registrar (Vital Records Office) | Minn. Stat. §§ 517.07, 517.08 (2022) |
| Mississippi | None | No provision | Any circuit court clerk | Miss. Code § 93-1-15 |
| Missouri | None | 30 days | Recorder of Deeds in any county | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 451.040 (2022) |
| Montana | None | 180 days | Any district court clerk | Mont. Code §§ 40-1-202, 40-1-212 (2022) |
| Nebraska | None | 1 year | Any county clerk | Neb. |
| Nevada | None | 1 year | Any county clerk (or Marriage License Bureau) | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 122.040 (2022) |
| New Hampshire | None | 90 days | Any town/city clerk | N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 5-C:42, 457:26 (2022) |
| New Jersey | 72 hours* | 30 days | Local Vital Records Office or city clerk* | Apply for license in municipality where either applicant lives or, if nonresidents, where wedding will take place; waiting period may be waived in emergency. N.J. Stat. §§ 37:1-3, 37:1-4 (2022) |
| New Mexico | None | No provision | Any county clerk | N.M. Stat. § 40-1-10 (2022) |
| New York | 24 hours* | 60 days | Any city or town clerk | Waiting period may be waived. N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law §§ 13, 13-b, 14 (2022) |
| North Carolina | None | 60 days | Any register of deeds | N. |
| North Dakota | None | 60 days | County recorder or other designated official* | Apply in county where either applicant lives. N.D. Cent. Code § 14-03-10 (2022) |
| Ohio | None | 60 days | Probate Court* (marriage department) | Apply in county where either applicant lives or, if nonresidents, where wedding will take place. Ohio Rev. Code §§ 3101.05, 3101.07 (2022) |
| Oklahoma | None* | 30 days | Any county district court clerk | 72-hour waiting period for applicants under age 18. Okla. Stat. tit. 43, §§ 4, 5, 6, 20 (2022) |
| Oregon | 3 days* | 60 days | Any county court clerk | May get waiver of waiting period for good reason. Or. Rev. Stat. § 106.077 (2022). |
| Pennsylvania | 3 days* | 60 days | Department of Court Records in most counties* | Licenses issued by Orphans Court clerk in Philadelphia and Register of Wills in Pittsburgh. |
| Rhode Island | None | 3 months | Town or city clerk* | Apply in city/town where either applicant lives; nonresidents apply where ceremony will take place. When state implements system for issuing licenses electronically, you’ll be able to apply anywhere in state. R.I. Gen. Laws 15-2-1, 15-2-1.1, 15-2-8 (2022) |
| South Carolina | 24 hours | Varies by county | Probate court in any county* | Apply with court clerk in Darlington and Georgetown counties. S.C. Code § 20-1-220 (2022). |
| South Dakota | None | 90 days | Any county register of deeds | S.D. Codified Laws §§ 25-1-10, 25-1-24 (2022) |
| Tennessee | None | 30 days | Any county clerk | Tenn. |
| Texas | 72 hours* | 90 days | Any county clerk | Exceptions to waiting period include applicants who completed premarital education course, received waiver, or are on active military duty. Tex. Fam. Code §§ 2.001, 2.201, 2.204 (2022) |
| Utah | None | 32 days | Any county clerk | Utah Code § 30-1-7 (2022) |
| Vermont | None | 60 days | Any town clerk | Vt. Stat. tit. 18, § 5131 (2022) |
| Virginia | None | 60 days | Any county or city court clerk or deputy clerk | Va. Code §§ 20-14, 20-14.1 (2022) |
| Washington | 3 days | 60 days | Any county auditor | Wash. Rev. Code §§ 26.04.150, 26.04.180 (2022) |
| West Virginia | None* | 60 days | Any clerk of county commission | 2-day waiting period for applicants under 18, except in extraordinary circumstances. |
| Wisconsin | 5 days | 30 days | County clerk* | State residents must apply for license in county where one of them has lived for previous 30 days; out-of-state residents must apply in county where ceremony will take place. Waiting period may be shortened for extra fee. Wis. Stat. §§ 765.05, 765.08, 765.12 (2022) |
| Wyoming | None | 1 year | Any county clerk | Wyo. Stat. § 20-1-103 (2022) |
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Why Did States Require Blood Tests for Marriage Licenses?
Contrary to what you might assume, America’s history of mandatory blood tests before marriage has nothing to do with an Oedipal fear of accidentally tying the knot with your long-lost mother, brother, or other close relative. It does, however, have roots in what was once considered a topic nearly as uncomfortable as incest: sexually transmitted diseases.
Back in the 1930s, the rising rates of syphilis were causing a public health crisis, partially because the subject was so taboo.
“We might virtually stamp out this disease were we not hampered by the widespread belief that nice people don’t talk about syphilis, that nice people don’t have syphilis, and that nice people shouldn’t do anything about those who do have syphilis,” U.S. Surgeon General Thomas Parran Jr. wrote in a 1936 article called “The Next Great Plague to Go.”
So Parran launched a nationwide campaign to educate everyone about venereal disease, commonly abbreviated as “VD.” Posters, films, cartoons, and even stamps urged people to avoid casual sex and get tested regularly, while the American Sexual Health Association sponsored a “Social Health” exhibit at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York. In 1938, Congress passed the Venereal Disease Control Act, which distributed $3 million—and more in later years—among the federal and state governments for research and testing.
The Illinois Works Projects Administration wanted people to stick to gambling on whether the Chicago Cubs would ever win the World Series. / Work Projects Administration Poster Collection, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division // No Known Restrictions on Publication
Though Parran’s efforts were progressive in some ways, they were seriously damaging in others. For one, he perpetuated misconceptions about how STIs could spread, asserting that “many cases come from such casual contacts as the use of a recently soiled drinking cup, a pipe or cigarette, in receiving services from diseased nursemaids, barber or beauty shop operators, etc.” He also oversaw a horrifically unethical experiment in Tuskegee, Alabama, that studied the effects of syphilis in several hundred Black men by withholding treatment from them, without their informed consent.
It was in this culture of heightened awareness (and misinformation) that states began to pass laws requiring couples to submit to blood tests before applying for marriage licenses, so they could avoid spreading a previously undetected venereal disease to their spouse and future children. As historian Erin Wuebker wrote in 2016, 30 states had enacted such legislation by 1944, and Gallup polls throughout the 1930s and 1940s revealed that the majority of American citizens supported the government initiatives.
New York’s subway stations were filled with lovely posters like this in the late 1930s and early 1940s. / Work Projects Administration Poster Collection, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division // No Known Restrictions on Publication
After the syphilis crisis was over, some states simply pivoted to using premarital blood tests to check for other diseases, like tuberculosis, rubella, and HIV. The problem, however, was that the practice didn’t actually uncover that many cases of any kind. The Mises Institute reported that the nation as a whole spent around $80 million on premarital syphilis tests and found only 456 positive cases; and according to a 1989 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, prospective newlyweds in Illinois spent $2. 5 million to test for HIV during the first six months of the program, and only eight of the 70,846 tests came back positive. Since neighboring states saw an increase in marriage license applications during that time, the study suggested that people were simply crossing state borders to avoid getting tested (after all, Illinois didn’t pay for the tests).
As states started to realize that premarital blood testing wasn’t a cost-effective way to screen for diseases, they abolished their laws. But it was definitely a slow process—Montana became the final state to repeal its mandatory blood testing (for rubella) just last year.
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Why do you need to take a blood test before getting married in Mexico — Wedding in Mexico
Comments 2
Before getting married in Mexico, newlyweds must submit a medical report and / or blood test to the Mexican registry office. This requirement comes as a surprise to many. Meanwhile, it is enshrined in law and operates in all states of the country. This requirement cannot be bypassed.
Perhaps the question of a blood test looks too mundane when the preparation for the upcoming celebration comes first. But it must be approached with understanding. Imagine the situation that everything is ready for the wedding, and suddenly it turns out that your fiancé has chlamydia. In some states of Mexico, this can be a problem when entering into a marriage. nine0004
According to Article 156 of the Federal Civil Code of Mexico, «chronic and incurable diseases, hereditary or contagious, are an obstacle to marriage.» Article 98 of the same code requires newlyweds to obtain a certificate from a qualified health professional, which guarantees that “the contracting parties do not suffer from syphilis, chronic diseases such as tuberculosis, which may be hereditary or contagious.” We want to emphasize that this is not just a recommendation, but a provision of federal law. And the main task of this provision is not to limit marriages between sick people, as it may seem, but to inform the newlyweds about each other’s health. nine0004
Many states have enacted a list of diseases that are at risk in marriage in their local laws. Some Mexican states even prohibit marriage with certain diseases, such as AIDS, mental disorders, or hereditary diseases. Such bans do not make any sense, because marriage can be entered into in any other state where there is no ban. In this case, the marriage will be valid both throughout Mexico and abroad.
In most states, the partner’s illness is not an obstacle to marriage. The newlyweds only have to sign a paper in which they confirm that they are aware of the partner’s illness, that is, they consciously accept all the risks associated with this. nine0004
In some states, only a blood test is sufficient, such as in Quintana Roo. In other regions, both a blood test and a medical report are required. At the same time, there may be some nuances, for example, a conclusion is not needed for the marriage of foreigners.
A blood test can be done in almost any laboratory or clinic where medical tests are performed. Analysis includes: V.D.R.L., V.I.H. and R.H. — sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, blood type + Rh factor. Do such an analysis for a day or even several hours. nine0004
A medical report or medical certificate (certificado médico prenupcial) is a more serious document. He confirms that the person entering into marriage does not suffer from a chronic or infectious disease, sexually transmitted or inherited. Not all physicians are licensed to issue such a medical report.
Since obtaining a medical opinion is most often a mere formality, the doctor does not send newlyweds for a thorough medical examination. He conducts an examination and interview, during which he finds out if the newlyweds have symptoms of any serious illness. The doctor also relies on a previous blood test. nine0004
Sometimes an x-ray is also needed to check for heart and lung problems, such as tuberculosis.
As a result of the examination, the doctor issues a medical certificate. The report will contain basic information about the patient: name, date of birth, height, weight, physical examination parameters (pressure, temperature, blood oxygen level), neurological and physiological examination parameters (for example, “spherical abdomen, genitals with adequate characteristics, negative percussion lower backs, negative urethral points and genitals with characteristics corresponding to sex and age, without data on abnormal transvaginal blood flow”), etc. The most important conclusion is that the patient is healthy. nine0004
The medical report is written on a form and signed by the physician and, in some states, by the medical facility. It comes with a medical license. It is very important that the report be properly issued, since the formal requirements for the execution of a medical report in many states are much higher than for its content.
In general, it is always important to understand the requirements of the state or municipality for certain documents. This will help avoid double work and reduce the time for preparing documents. When planning, it should be borne in mind that if one day is enough for a blood test, then it will not work to get a medical opinion in one day. nine0004
So, in Cancun, marriage requires only a blood test. At the same time, it is allowed to provide it before the registration ceremony. Today you can take a blood test, tomorrow you can already get married. In many other states, newlyweds must submit medical documents in advance, along with a package of documents and an application for marriage.
Are you planning a wedding in Mexico?
We offer assistance with the official registration of marriage in Mexico. Only a passport is needed. Birth certificate and certificate of non-marriage are not required. All inclusive package. 1 day is enough for us to prepare, and a week is enough for you to come to Mexico, get married, get a state certificate with an apostille and return to your homeland. We will do everything for you, relieve you of the need to visit the offices of officials, negotiate and stand in lines. You can devote all your time in Mexico to relaxation! Read more
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© 2018-2023 Go to Mexico! With full or partial use of site materials, a direct indexed hyperlink to https://gotomexico.today is required. nine0055
How to marry an Egyptian officially-2021
The conclusion of an official marriage with an Egyptian citizen for citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus has a number of nuances depending on what religion the groom is from, what country the bride is from and many more moments that are difficult to analyze.
In Egypt, there is only religious marriage (wedding among Copts and nikah among Muslims), there can be no civil marriage (cohabitation) in this country. nine0004
Preparatory phase
At the initial stage, before obtaining a fiancee visa, you need to prepare the necessary documents
90,002 cops, some of which the bride must bring from her homeland.
1. Document of religion (issued by the bride at home).
For marriage to a Muslim, the woman is allowed to be Christian, Muslim or Jewish. If it is supposed to convert to Islam in Al-Azhar, then they issue a certificate of acceptance of Islam. nine0004
To marry a Coptic Christian, a girl must provide a certificate of baptism and a document stating that she was not married in the Russian Orthodox Church, certified by a clergyman and translated into Arabic. Documents are submitted for consideration by the spiritual committee of the OOC, which issues permission for the wedding. Also, the girl will have to be baptized again, since a Copt cannot marry a heterodox, which includes the Orthodox.
2. Certificate that the bride was not married. If the bride was previously married, then you need a certificate of divorce or death of the spouse. These documents also need to be obtained by the bride at home. nine0004
On the basis of the documents provided at the Consulate, you need to obtain a certificate of marital status (or that there are no obstacles to marriage) and legalize it in one of the Legalization Departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ARE (all are located in Cairo).
3. Foreign and internal passports of the bride must be valid for at least a year.
4. Take a lot of color photos 3.5 x 4.5 of both future spouses in advance, several copies of all documents, especially the ID of the groom and the bride’s passport (page with photo and page with the last entry visa). nine0004
5. Complete an orfi contract. Without it, they may not be given a visa for the bride (but not a fact).
Fiance visa
If you have a tourist visa, you will not be able to marry an Egyptian. Usually a fiancee visa is issued for a period of 6 months.
It can be issued only after the expiration of the entry tourist visa. If the bride has previously extended a tourist visa, then you need to contact the same houset. If not, at the place of residence of the spouse or at the actual place of residence, if there is at least a housing lease agreement. nine0004
To obtain a fiancee visa, you must pass an interview at the Mukhabarat (Egyptian analogue of the FSB). There, in turn, future spouses are asked questions about each other, about close relatives, etc., in order to find out how much the spouses know each other and whether the marriage will be fictitious. If the bride unofficially works in Egypt, then, of course, such information should not be voiced in any case.
Fiance visa can be obtained only once. So if you do not formalize an official marriage in the allotted six months, you will have to register a marriage in the bride’s homeland, or the bride to apply for any other non-tourist visa. nine0004
Since the Egyptians suffer from a rare inattention — check the correct validity of the fiance visa, errors are possible.
If you understand that you will not have time to complete all the necessary documents for marriage, then there is a little trick: as long as the bride has a valid fiance visa, you can issue a power of attorney to marry on behalf of the bride, for example, for a relative husband or lawyer.
Last stage of document preparation
At the post office you need to buy a tabe zauvag stamp for 50 pounds.
In the state (!) hospital, both future spouses need to obtain certificates of the established form on the state of health, for this they need to take a blood test and undergo an examination by a doctor. The value of this paper depends on how the stars align.
The groom needs to get a certificate from the army.
For Copts, you need to get a marriage license from the CPC, get married in a church, certify a paper in the Department and sharaa akari. nine0004
Registration of a marriage contract
If you have collected all the necessary documents, made several copies of everything, prepared photographs, money and were patient — you can go to the Notary Office of the Egyptian Ministry of Justice (Lazgoli Square, 4th floor).
Be sure to take 2 male witnesses with ID with you (make copies). Witnesses can be found on the spot, but not free of charge.
If the bride does not understand Arabic, they may insist on the presence of an official translator to draw up a marriage contract. nine0004
The marriage contract indicates the amount of mahr (money paid by the groom to the bride before the wedding), the amount due to the wife in the event of a divorce at the initiative of the spouse. The amount of tax that will need to be paid directly depends on these amounts. In the contract, you can also prescribe special conditions that should be agreed in advance with the spouses among themselves.
In the marriage contract, check the spelling of all names, including the names of the bride’s parents. Any changes to the signed contract are made only through the court. nine0004
The contract is sealed with fingerprints, so bring wet wipes with you to wipe the ink off your hands.
The finished contract is handed out in about a month after registration.
Now a legal wife can safely apply for a resident visa, receive medical services and visit attractions at a cost for Egyptians. Please note that a resident visa does not give permission to work in the country.
nine0002 In order for the marriage to be official on the territory of the wife’s state, the marriage contract must be legalized at the consulate of the wife’s country.
To do this, in six months you need to get an electronic version of the marriage certificate, translate it into the native language of the wife’s country, pay the consular fee and get a legalization stamp.
Your marriage is now officially recognized in both countries.