Marriage Licenses

Process

Marriage Intention Filings

Marriage intentions must be filed jointly and in person. Please call the Town Clerk's office at 774-801-3226 to make an appointment. Intentions can be filed between:

  • Monday through Thursday between hours of 8 am - 3:30 pm
  • Friday between 8 am - 11:30 am

If one person is in the military, intentions may be filed by either party, providing one is a Massachusetts resident. Persons under 18 years of age must obtain parental and court permission with the court age waiver filed with this office.

Fee

The fee is $40 and includes a certified copy of the marriage license.

Waiting Period

There is a mandatory three-day waiting period after filing intentions before the marriage license can be issued unless a court waiver has been obtained. A marriage license, once obtained, is valid for 60 days from the date intentions are filed. Intentions may be filed at any Massachusetts city or town clerk's office.

Out-of-State Officiants

If the marriage officiant is from out-of-state, a one-time special appointment must be obtained for that person to solemnize a marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This appointment must be obtained from the Governor's office.  click here for Public Records Division.   This appointment is in addition to the required marriage license, not a substitute for the license. This appointment certificate must be made available to the Town Clerk's office prior to the wedding ceremony.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts no longer requires pre-marital blood tests.

Beach Wedding Permissions

Permission is required to perform marriages on Town of Eastham beaches and may be obtained from the Town Recreation Department. The telephone number for the Recreation Department is 508-240-5974.

Permission is also required to perform marriages within the National Seashore and may be obtained by contacting the National Seashore Visitors Center. The telephone number for the National Seashore is 508-771-2144.

Copy of Marriage License

Certified copies of marriage licenses are $10 each.