Marriage License Requirements

1. Both must be 18 years old or older (if either party is under 18, please see requirements below)
2. There is no waiting period, blood test or physical requirement.
3. The marriage license is valid for 30 days, including the date issued.
4. The marriage license is valid anywhere in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Minister Requirements:

The “recognition” of a minister can take the form of ordination or license or any other form which expresses clearly the fact that a religious group recognizes the person or looks to the person as a minister of that specific group. Currently, there is not a registration process for a minister to perform ceremonies in Kentucky.

Requirements to marry a person under the age of 18:

1. Must be 16 years of age. Neither party can be under 16 may be issued a marriage license without an order from the District Court. The bride must be pregnant before the court will issue an order.
2. A female minor must make an application in the county of her parent’s residence but can get married in another county after she has completed the requirements for the license.
3. A Consent to Marriage Form (84-FCC-501) is required. This must be completed, witnessed, signed by the parents or legal guardian* of the minor, and sworn by the deputy clerk. (A guardian must bring the document affirming guardianship).
4. One parent or legal guardian* and two witnesses 18 years old or older, must sign the Consent to Marriage Form for each minor.
5. If the parents of either minor are divorced, custody papers are required to sign the Consent to Marriage Form.
6. Birth Certificate and Driver’s License/State ID
7. NOTE: Legal guardian must have full guardianship. Kentucky does not marry minors whose parents reside outside the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Prohibited and Restricted Marriages:

1. Marriages between persons who are nearer of kin to each other by blood, than second cousins.
2. Marriages between first cousins.
3. Marriages with a person mentally incompetent.
4. Marriages where one of the parties living, from whom the person marrying has not been divorced.
5. Marriages not solemnized or contracted in the presence of an authorized person or society.
6. Common law marriages.
7. Proxy marriages.

Solemnization of Marriage:

1. Marriages shall be solemnized only by clergy, justices and judges of the Court of Justice; retired justices and judges of the Court of Justice, except those removed for cause or convicted of a felony; county judge/executives; such justices of the peace and fiscal court commissioners as the Governor or the county judge/executive authorizes, and certain religious societies.
2. At least two persons, in addition to the parties and the person solemnizing the marriage, must be present at every marriage.
3. There are no residency requirements or licensing requirements applicable to ministers or priests who wish to perform marriages in Kentucky.
4. A minister or priest, all justices and judges of the Court of Justice, justices of the peace and fiscal court commissioners may perform marriages anywhere in Kentucky.

Marriage License FAQ’s