Guide
States With No Waiting Period to Get Married
Updated
27 states have no waiting period, so you can marry the same day the license is issued. They include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas and California.
Elsewhere the wait runs from 24 to 72 hours. For District of Columbia, Georgia, North Carolina, Rhode Island and South Dakota, check the state page before you plan the date.
Marriage license waiting period by state
- Check the state page (5)
States with no waiting period
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
States with a waiting period
| State | Waiting period | Can it be waived? |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 72 hours (3 days) | Yes, in some cases |
| Florida | 72 hours (3 days) | Yes, in some cases |
| Iowa | 72 hours (3 days) | Yes, in some cases |
| Kansas | 72 hours (3 days) | Yes, in some cases |
| Massachusetts | 72 hours (3 days) | Yes, in some cases |
| Michigan | 72 hours (3 days) | Yes, in some cases |
| New Jersey | 72 hours (3 days) | Check the state page |
| Oregon | 72 hours (3 days) | Yes, in some cases |
| Pennsylvania | 72 hours (3 days) | Yes, in some cases |
| Texas | 72 hours (3 days) | Yes, in some cases |
| Washington | 72 hours (3 days) | Rarely or never |
| Wisconsin | 72 hours (3 days) | Yes, in some cases |
| Connecticut | 48 hours (2 days) | Check the state page |
| Maryland | 48 hours (2 days) | Yes, in some cases |
| Delaware | 24 hours (1 day) | Check the state page |
| Illinois | 24 hours (1 day) | Check the state page |
| Louisiana | 24 hours (1 day) | Yes, in some cases |
| New York | 24 hours (1 day) | Yes, in some cases |
| South Carolina | 24 hours (1 day) | Check the state page |
Ways around the wait
In Florida and Texas, finishing a premarital course also skips the wait. Many states let a judge waive it for a good reason, and some exempt active-duty service members.
The license validity guide shows how long you have once the wait is over.
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.