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Home > Services > Apply for a Marriage License

Apply for a Marriage License

City Clerk's Office

Please be aware that to apply for a marriage license, you must come into the City Clerk's Office with your intended spouse between the following hours:

Monday: 8:30AM-7:30PM

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:30AM-4:30PM

Friday: 8:30AM-11:30AM 

This process cannot be completed through the mail.

Your marriage license will be ready for pick-up after the three-day waiting period. Please note that the license will be valid for 60 days from date of application and may be used in any Massachusetts city or town (not valid outside of Massachusetts).

The cost to apply for a marriage license is $50.

To schedule a marriage ceremony at Cambridge City Hall, please visit Schedule online

A marriage intention number is required to schedule a ceremony.

Please note: Marriage ceremonies performed by the Cambridge City Clerk's Office are by appointment only.

Diane P. LeBlanc

City Clerk

City of Cambridge

Justices of the Peace.

 

Justice of the Peace - Counties by City/Town

 

Do we have to be Cambridge residents in order to apply in Cambridge?

No, according to Massachusetts State Law there is no residency requirement for either party.

How can we schedule a wedding ceremony at City Hall?

To schedule a marriage ceremony at Cambridge City Hall, please visit Schedule online

A marriage intention number is required to schedule a ceremony.

Please note: Marriage ceremonies performed by the Cambridge City Clerk's Office are by appointment only.

What documentation is required to apply for a Marriage License?

Both parties will have to be present at the time of filing the application.  A valid photo ID may be require as proof of age.

What if we have waited too long to apply for our license and our wedding is scheduled less than three days from the date of the license application?

  1. You must first file a Marriage Intention in the City Clerk's office
  2. You must go to court and obtain a court order to waive the three-day waiting period.
  3. You may go to the any Massachusetts Probate and Family Court or Massachusetts District Court.

How can I apply for a one day designation certificate?

From the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: 

A one-time designation certificate allows an individual to officiate a marriage ceremony on a specific date. The application must be approved by the Governor's office before the Secretary's office can issue the certificate. The application is valid only for ceremonies within Massachusetts, and by a person who is not otherwise authorized to officiate a marriage ceremony.

Apply for a one day designation certificate through the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Page was last modified on 4/24/2025 9:20 AM
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