How to Get a Marriage License in Kentucky

Fabled equestrian grounds, laid-back country charm, vibrant local food, spirits and art scenes—the Bluegrass State has plenty of appeal for marriers. No matter what sort of wedding style you and your partner are envisioning, one common denominator is that every couple getting married in Kentucky needs to apply for a Kentucky marriage license, whether you’re locally-based or planning to make Kentucky your out-of-state destination wedding location. 

But don’t fret about what ultimately amounts to a little (albeit very official and legally binding!) paperwork. "The process of getting your Kentucky marriage license is super simple," says Ginna Matson, a Louisville native and event coordinator. "There’s no appointment needed; walk-ins are welcome. Usually, you are in and out within 30 minutes to an hour." Ahead, Matson breaks down everything you need to do to obtain a marriage license in Kentucky.

Where to Apply for a Kentucky Marriage License

You and your future spouse can visit any County Clerk’s office in the state to apply for a marriage license that will be valid for your wedding in Kentucky. You must do so together, and in person, during the office's regular business hours (some offices require appointments, while others don't). If you live a little driving distance from your wedding location and there’s another office that’s just more convenient, make that your go-to option. Here are a few County Clerk offices in Kentucky to help you form your plan:

• Jefferson County Clerk
• Fayette County Clerk
• Franklin County Clerk
• Scott County Clerk
• Webster County Clerk
  

When to Apply for a Kentucky Marriage License

The only thing even remotely tricky about applying for a Kentucky marriage license is nailing the timing. Once your marriage license is issued, it’s valid for 30 days, including the day you obtained it—so don’t even think about trying to get this checked off the wedding to-do list 45 or 60 days in advance. And while there is no waiting period required between when you’ve obtained your Kentucky marriage license and when you exchange your vows (as required in some other states), it’s probably not the best idea to wait until the last minute, either.

What to Bring for a Kentucky Marriage License

At your in-person appointment, you'll need to bring the following:

• Proof of Identity and Age: Bring a driver’s license, passport, or another government-issued ID to establish your identity and age; you must be 18 or older to tie the knot via the standard marriage license protocol in the state of Kentucky.
• Money: The fee for a marriage license in Kentucky is $50. It is payable by cash, credit card, or check from an in-state personal bank account of one of the applicants (no third-party checks are accepted).
• Completed Form: Your selected County Clerk's office might ask you to fill out a form before your in-person appointment (if you're applying for a marriage license in Franklin County, for example, you'll need to complete this worksheet before you arrive). Some counties will allow you to fill this out during your appointment time.

How to Get Married in Kentucky

Now that your Kentucky marriage license has been granted officially, all that’s left is to get on with the ceremony—and the festivities to follow! By the time your wedding day rolls around, most likely the only signature still needed on your marriage license is that of your officiant. "A lot of couples sign the marriage license when they first receive it so they don’t need to do anything on the actual day of the wedding," notes Matson. "By the big day, the officiant is really the only one who needs to still fill it out."

You'll have your pick of people to marry you: Kentucky is very lax about any requirements or regulations pertaining to who can legally oversee your ceremony—they don’t have to register with the state in any way (but they will need to get ordained online). So, if you still haven't decided who you want to ask to participate in that key wedding role, but are possibly considering a close family member or longtime friend, there’s nothing else that they have to do to be deemed "official" beyond an easy online application. After the wedding, your officiant has just one more job—to file your marriage license in the Kentucky county where you were married.