Marriages
Filing for a Marriage License
The first step in the process is for the couple to make an appointment to come together, in-person, to the Town Clerk's Office to complete the "Notice of Intention of Marriage" form. The couple must be getting married within 60 days of filing the marriage intention in Massachusetts and must be 18 years or older. To complete the marriage intention form, the couple must be prepared to answer the following:
- Your legal name and, if applicable, your surname to be used after marriage if you decide to change your name
- Date of birth and where you were born
- Names of your parents, including their birth surnames, as they appear on your Birth Certificate
- If you were previously married, the number of times
- Your social security number or a reason that you do not have a social security number
- You must a bring a current photo-ID with you i.e., license or a passport
The fee is $25.00 paid by exact cash or check.
To schedule an appointment, call the Town Clerk’s Office at 978-772-8220 Ext: 153
After completing the marriage intention form, the couple must wait three (3) days before they can pick up their marriage license. For example, if you apply on Tuesday, your license can be issued on or after Friday. Please note that licenses are not issued on Saturday or Sunday when we are closed. Marriage licenses must be picked up in person by one of the people named on the license, this person is responsible for making sure there are no errors or omissions.
The marriage must be solemnized by an officiant who is able to perform marriages in Massachusetts i.e., Member of Clergy, Priest, Justice of the Peace, “One Day Solemnizer,” etc. The officiant must complete a section on the marriage license and return it to the Clerk’s Office. If a “One Day Solemnizer” is performing the ceremony, they must also return the original certificate from the Secretary of State’s Office with the license. The officiant is responsible for completing and signing the original license and returning it to the Town Clerk no later than the 10th day of the following month.
If an out-of-state Member of the Clergy or Justice of the Peace is to perform the marriage, they must obtain a Certificate of Authorization from the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth prior to the ceremony. This certificate, which is issued by the Public Records Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, is to be included with the original license when returned to the Town Clerk.
Divorced Applicants do not need to show evidence of prior marriage dissolution. However, it is important that an individual who has been divorced be certain that their divorce is absolute. In Massachusetts, a divorce does not become absolute until 90 days after the divorce nisi has been granted, regardless of the grounds for divorce.
Three-Day Waiver:
Couples must wait three (3) days after filing their marriage intention paperwork before they can pick up their marriage license. If the couple is seeking the three-day period to be waived, the couple may request a three-day waiver through the Ayer District Court. If the waiver is approved, the Clerk’s office will issue the marriage license prior to the three-day waiting period.
Getting Married at Town Hall:
Simple wedding ceremonies are performed at Town Hall. The Town Clerk serves as a Justice of the Peace and may solemnize a couple's marriage. Ceremonies must be scheduled during business hours and last about 15 minutes. The fee is $100 to be married at Town Hall. Massachusetts statute does not require that witnesses be present at your ceremony. Having any number of friends or family present at Town Hall must be discussed with the Town Clerk prior to your ceremony.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who can get married in Massachusetts?
Anyone who is 18 years old or older can get married in Massachusetts. You do not need to be a state resident to get married in Massachusetts.
Who can conduct my wedding?
Marriages in Massachusetts can be performed by four different groups of people. In-State Clergy members, In-state Justices of the Peace, Out of State Clergy members or Justices of the Peace, or anyone with a One-Day Solemnization. For more information on the requirements your officiant must meet, please visit Getting Married in Massachusetts: Before the Wedding | Mass.gov
What paperwork do I need to get married?
Once you have decided to get married, you and your partner need to complete the Notice of Intention of Marriage form in person with the Town Clerk. After you apply for a marriage license you must wait three (3) days before it can be picked up and your ceremony performed. You must be married within 60 days from the date you complete the intention form. Your officiant will complete the appropriate section, after your wedding ceremony, and return the marriage license to the Town Clerk. Your marriage license must be returned to the same Town Clerk that issued it and must be returned not later than the 10th day of the following month.
How do I change my name after marriage?
If you choose to change your last name, you need to go through the Social Security office to complete the change, name changes are not processed by the Clerk’s Office. For more information on changing your name visit Getting Married in Massachusetts: After the Wedding | Mass.gov You cannot change your first name through marriage, that is a separate process handled in court.
How do I obtain proof of my marriage?
Once your marriage license is returned by your officiant, it will be signed and received by the Town Clerk. The fee paid when filling out your marriage intention form includes one certified copy of the marriage certificate which will be mailed to the residential address you provided. Additional certified copies can be purchased at any time and can be requested in-person, online, or by phone. Marriage certificates will be on file in the City or Town that issued your marriage license, and with the State Registry of Vital Records.
I was married out of state, can I get a copy of my marriage license here?
No. Vital Records are not shared across state lines, or between communities.
Example 1: If you filed your marriage intention in Nashua, NH it will only be on file in New Hampshire, it will never be on file in Massachusetts.
Example 2: If you filed your marriage intention with the Town of Shirley, it will not be on file in Ayer. It will only be on file in Shirley and with the State Registry of Vital Records.