Tolland County
Marriage License Requirements

Planning a wedding involves a multitude of details, from selecting the perfect venue to choosing the flowers that best match your color scheme. Among these considerations is the often-overlooked, yet crucial step of obtaining a marriage license. In the state of Connecticut, ensuring that you have the right paperwork in order is essential to make your union official. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding the marriage license process in Connecticut.

Introduction to Marriage License in Connecticut

Before you say “I do,” it’s important to understand the legal requirements for obtaining a marriage license in Connecticut. This document is not only a symbol of your commitment but a legal necessity to validate your marriage.

Where to Obtain Your Marriage License

Marriage licenses are issued at the 5th Level of Tolland Green, located at 21 Tolland Green, Tolland, CT 06084. The office operates from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and extends its hours until 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays. It’s important to note that the office is closed on Court Approved Holidays.

Required Documentation

To initiate the marriage license application process, both applicants must personally appear at the office. While either party can start the application, both must sign it before the wedding. Required documentation includes:

• Valid identification (driver’s license, resident ID, passport, or birth certificate)
• Social Security cards
• Name, address, and phone number of the officiating person
• Address of the ceremony location
• Date of the marriage
• A $30 marriage license fee

Marriage License Validity

Once issued, a marriage license in Connecticut remains valid for 65 days from the date of application. This gives you ample time to plan your dream wedding.

Identification Requirements

Valid forms of identification for marriage license applicants include birth certificates, valid driver’s licenses, passports, state identification cards, military identification, and Alien Registration Cards (Green cards).

Waiting Period

Connecticut doesn’t impose a waiting period between applying for and receiving your marriage license. This allows couples to efficiently navigate the process.

Residency Requirement

While you don’t need to be a resident of Connecticut to obtain a marriage license, you must apply either in the town where one applicant lives or in the town where the wedding will take place.

Previous Marriages

Individuals who have been previously married need to provide relevant documentation, such as divorce decrees or information about the date, county, and state of death of a previous spouse. If your name has changed due to a divorce, you’ll need to provide a certified copy of your divorce decree.

Marriage License Fee

The marriage license fee in Connecticut is $30, a reasonable investment to kick-start your journey into wedded bliss.

Proxy Marriages and Cousin Marriages

Proxy marriages are not allowed in Connecticut. However, the state does permit first and second cousins to legally marry.

Common Law Marriages and Blood Tests

Connecticut doesn’t recognize common law marriages, and no blood tests or physical exams are required to obtain a marriage license.

Marriage Age Requirements

Applicants under 18 require written consent from a parent, guardian, or probate court judge. Those under 16 need consent from a probate court judge. If one party has a conservator, they must appear with the required documentation.

Marriage Ceremony Requirement

Before the ceremony, the officiating person (minister or justice of peace) must be provided with the marriage license. After the ceremony, they’ll sign and date the license in black ink, which then needs to be returned to the Municipal Clerk’s Office in the town where the ceremony occurred.

Authorized Marriage Officiants

Marriage officiants in Connecticut include judges, retired judges, federal judges, judges from other states authorized to marry, justices of the peace, family support magistrates, state referees, and ordained clergy currently in the ministry.

Conclusion

Obtaining a marriage license is a vital step in turning your wedding dreams into a legally recognized reality. Connecticut’s requirements ensure that your marriage is valid and protected by law, giving you the peace of mind to focus on your special day.

FAQs

Q1: How much is the marriage license fee in Connecticut?

A1: The marriage license fee in Connecticut is $30.

Q2: Are proxy marriages allowed in Connecticut?

A2: No, proxy marriages are not permitted in Connecticut.

Q3: Is there a waiting period for obtaining a marriage license?

A3: No, Connecticut does not impose a waiting period between application and issuance of a marriage license.

Q4: Can first cousins marry in Connecticut?

A4: Yes, first and second cousins may legally marry in Connecticut.

Q5: Do I need a blood test to obtain a marriage license in Connecticut?

A5: No, Connecticut does not require a blood test or physical exam for obtaining a marriage license.