Guide

How Long Is a Marriage License Valid in Each State?

Updated November 4, 2026

Chart of how many states give marriage licenses each validity period, most often 60 days

A marriage license is most often valid for 60 days, the rule in 16 states. It runs from 30 days in states such as Alabama, Delaware and Hawaii to 365 days in Arizona, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming.

In District of Columbia, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, New Mexico and South Carolina, the license does not expire at all. If yours lapses before the ceremony, you apply and pay again.

How long licenses stay valid

30 days9 states
32 days1 state
33 days1 state
35 days1 state
60 days16 states
65 days1 state
90 days7 states
180 days2 states
183 days2 states
365 days4 states
Never expires6 states

Number of states for each validity period, counted from the day the license is issued or takes effect.

Validity in every state

State	Valid for	Waiting period
Alabama	30 days	Same day
Alaska	90 days	72 hours (3 days)
Arizona	365 days	Same day
Arkansas	60 days	Same day
California	90 days	Same day
Colorado	35 days	Same day
Connecticut	65 days	48 hours (2 days)
Delaware	30 days	24 hours (1 day)
District of Columbia	Does not expire	Check the state page
Florida	60 days	72 hours (3 days)
Georgia	Check the state page	Check the state page
Hawaii	30 days	Same day
Idaho	Does not expire	Same day
Illinois	60 days	24 hours (1 day)
Indiana	60 days	Same day
Iowa	Does not expire	72 hours (3 days)
Kansas	180 days	72 hours (3 days)
Kentucky	30 days	Same day
Louisiana	30 days	24 hours (1 day)
Maine	90 days	Same day
Maryland	183 days	48 hours (2 days)
Massachusetts	60 days	72 hours (3 days)
Michigan	33 days	72 hours (3 days)
Minnesota	183 days	Same day
Mississippi	Does not expire	Same day
Missouri	30 days	Same day
Montana	180 days	Same day
Nebraska	365 days	Same day
Nevada	365 days	Same day
New Hampshire	90 days	Same day
New Jersey	30 days	72 hours (3 days)
New Mexico	Does not expire	Same day
New York	60 days	24 hours (1 day)
North Carolina	60 days	Check the state page
North Dakota	60 days	Same day
Ohio	60 days	Same day
Oklahoma	30 days	Same day
Oregon	60 days	72 hours (3 days)
Pennsylvania	60 days	72 hours (3 days)
Rhode Island	90 days	Check the state page
South Carolina	Does not expire	24 hours (1 day)
South Dakota	90 days	Check the state page
Tennessee	30 days	Same day
Texas	90 days	72 hours (3 days)
Utah	32 days	Same day
Vermont	60 days	Same day
Virginia	60 days	Same day
Washington	60 days	72 hours (3 days)
West Virginia	60 days	Same day
Wisconsin	60 days	72 hours (3 days)
Wyoming	365 days	Same day

Some states start the clock after the waiting period ends. Your state page explains how it counts.

Pair this with the waiting period guide to pick a safe application date.

State pages in this guide

Every figure here comes from the official statute or clerk pages linked on our state and county pages. Fees change, so confirm with your county before you apply.