Getting married in Connecticut starts with a short visit to a town clerk's office. There is no single state bureau where couples apply, and no county government issues licenses. Each of the state's 169 towns and cities has a clerk who handles marriage paperwork under rules set by state law. This page explains how that system works, where the seven offices in our directory fit in, and what to prepare before you go.

How Connecticut Organizes Marriage Licenses

Marriage law sits in Chapter 815e of the Connecticut General Statutes. Those laws set the basic requirements for a license, say who may perform a ceremony, and describe how the record is kept. The Connecticut Department of Public Health oversees vital records statewide, including the standard forms and the state marriage register. The daily work, though, happens locally.

Town clerks serve as the local registrars for marriage records. They take the application, check identification, collect the fee, and issue the license. After the ceremony, they record the completed license and later provide certified copies. For a couple, that means one office handles nearly every step before and after the wedding.

Because the rules come from the state, the process looks much the same in Greenwich as in Hampton. What changes is office hours, appointment policies, parking, and how crowded the counter gets during June weddings and October foliage season. Those practical details are the reason to phone ahead.

In practice, that makes the search local. Start with the town where you live or where the ceremony will take place, find the town clerk's page or phone number, and ask three questions. Do you take walk-ins? What hours do you keep? How do you accept payment?

Seven Connecticut Offices, Seven County Labels, One Town Clerk System

Connecticut abolished county government in 1960. Counties still exist as geographic labels in addresses, court districts, and statistics, but they do not run offices. Our directory groups listings by county for easier browsing, while the offices themselves are town or city clerks.

The seven listings on this page are:

These seven are a starting point, not a full list. Any of the 169 clerks can handle a license, so a couple living in Stamford or Mystic may use the clerk nearest their venue. Call first to confirm that the office issues licenses to couples who live elsewhere, because local practice can vary.

What to Bring to a Connecticut Town Clerk

Plan on bringing a valid government-issued photo ID for each partner, such as a driver's license or passport. You will also need to supply full legal names, dates and places of birth, and the names of your parents. Having these written down avoids guesswork at the counter.

If either of you was married before, know the exact date and the way that marriage ended, whether by divorce, annulment, or death. Some clerks ask to see supporting paperwork, so bring a copy of the divorce decree or death certificate if you have one.

Both partners usually need to appear together and sign the application. Ask about this when you call, especially if one of you is traveling. The standard state fee is $50, but confirm the amount and the accepted payment methods, since some small offices take only cash or a check.

Connecticut requires no blood test and no waiting period, so many couples receive the license during the same visit. That makes it practical to apply a few weeks before the wedding rather than the week of.

Timing matters too. Weekday mornings are often the calmest, and municipal offices close on state and local holidays, including the long weekends around Memorial Day and Labor Day. Many town websites post current hours and holiday closures, so check them before you drive.

Regional Differences Across Connecticut: Gold Coast, Capital Region, Shoreline, and Quiet Corner

The state is small, but the experience of getting a license differs from one area to the next.

Fairfield and New Haven Counties

The southwest corner is the most densely populated part of the state and sends many commuters toward New York City. In Fairfield, the clerk works from the Old Town Hall at 611 Old Post Road. The New Haven clerk is at 200 Orange Street, in the city that surrounds Yale University. Busy urban counters can mean waits, so ask whether walk-ins are welcome or appointments are preferred. See the listings for Fairfield County and New Haven County.

Hartford County

Hartford is the state capital, and its clerk sits on the ground floor of City Hall at 550 Main Street, in Room 103. Downtown parking can add time, so allow a cushion. Couples marrying in suburbs such as West Hartford, Simsbury, or Farmington sometimes choose the capital's counter if it is convenient for work. Browse Hartford County for the details we hold.

New London County

The eastern shoreline draws destination weddings to Mystic, to Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, and to Foxwoods in Mashantucket. Couples celebrating there can get a license from New London City Hall at 181 State Street. Check the New London County page before planning your route.

Litchfield, Tolland, and Windham Counties

Small-town offices may have smaller staffs and shorter hours. Litchfield's clerk is in the Town Office Building at 74 West Street. Tolland's office is at 21 Tolland Green, on the fifth level, and Windham's is at 979 Main Street. Calling ahead is especially wise here, because a single clerk's office may be handling land records, dog licenses, and elections at the same time. See Litchfield County and Windham County.

A simple approach works statewide. Choose the office that is easiest to reach during business hours, after confirming it will serve you. Peak wedding months, especially June, September, and October, bring heavier traffic everywhere, so applying a few weeks early keeps the schedule relaxed.

Connecticut Rules That Apply No Matter Where You Apply

A Connecticut license is valid for 65 days from the date it is issued, and the ceremony must take place inside the state. If the window passes, you must apply again and pay again. Schedule the wedding date with that limit in mind.

Both partners should be at least 18 to marry without extra steps. Applicants who are younger face additional requirements involving the Probate Court, so speak with the clerk before making any plans.

A judge, a justice of the peace, or a member of the clergy can perform the ceremony, and the officiant signs the license and returns it for recording. Connecticut has recognized marriage between same-sex couples since the state Supreme Court's 2008 decision in Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health, and clerks issue licenses to all eligible couples on the same terms.

Before you leave the counter, read the license carefully. Names, birth dates, and birthplaces on it become part of the permanent record, and fixing errors later takes more time than catching them on the spot.

Finally, your marriage certificate is the document you will use to change your name with the Social Security Administration and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Order extra certified copies from the clerk after the wedding to avoid delays.

Marriage licenses in Vermont are issued by county clerks or recorders, with requirements for identification, fees, and waiting periods set by state law. Couples must obtain their license from a county within the state where the ceremony will be performed.

Marriage Licenses locations are available in 216 cities across Vermont. They are spread across 14 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Shaftsbury, Bethel, Hartford, which serve as county seats with the busiest marriage license offices in the state.

Couples in Vermont should verify current ID and documentation requirements directly with the issuing county clerk before applying, as requirements for previously divorced or widowed applicants may differ from those marrying for the first time.

Marriage Licenses by Counties

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Couples in Vermont should check whether their county clerk offers online appointment scheduling for marriage license applications, which can reduce wait times significantly compared to walk-in visits, especially during the busy spring and summer wedding season.

Browse Marriage Licenses by county across Vermont to find the nearest location.

After the Ceremony: Recording Your Connecticut Marriage

Your marriage becomes part of the public record once the officiant completes the license and it is returned to the town clerk. Do not leave it in a glove box or a wedding folder. Ask the officiant who will deliver it and when, and note any deadline printed on the form. After recording, the clerk's office can issue certified copies, and the information moves into the state vital records system overseen by the Department of Public Health.

Plan for how you will use the certificate. Banks, employers, the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Motor Vehicles often want a certified copy with a raised seal, not a photocopy. Ordering several at once saves return trips. If you married in one town but now live in another, request copies from the clerk who recorded the marriage.

The seven offices in our directory, from Fairfield and Hartford in the west to Windham and Tolland in the east, handle these requests in a similar way, though their counters, hours, and payment rules differ. A two-minute phone call to the number listed on each page prevents most surprises.

Connecticut Marriage License Questions

Often yes, but policies are set at the local level, so confirm first. Many couples choose the clerk closest to their venue, workplace, or commute. If you plan to use one of the offices in our directory, such as Fairfield, New Haven, or Windham, call before driving and ask whether they issue licenses to people who live in other towns. Also ask what ID they require and whether both partners must attend. Getting those answers by phone usually takes only a few minutes and can save you a wasted trip.

A Connecticut license is valid for 65 days from the date of issue, and the wedding must take place within Connecticut. If you do not hold the ceremony in that window, the license expires and you must apply again and pay the fee again. Because the state has no waiting period, you can pick up the license shortly before the date, but applying two to four weeks early leaves room for rescheduling. Count the days on a calendar when you receive it, and tell your officiant the expiration date so nothing slips past.

Plan for both partners to appear in person together, since the clerk takes the application and signatures at the counter. Each of you should bring a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Be ready with full legal names, dates and places of birth, and parents' names. If either of you has been married before, bring the date and manner in which that marriage ended, plus a copy of the decree if you have one. If one partner cannot attend, call the clerk first, because exceptions are handled case by case.

The standard state fee is $50, collected by the town clerk when the license is issued. Certified copies of the marriage certificate carry separate fees, so ask the clerk for the current price of each. Payment methods vary from office to office. Some counters accept cards, while others prefer cash or a check, so ask before you go. Because fees can change when the legislature acts, confirm the figures by phone or on the town's website before your visit. It is smart to bring a little extra money so you can order certified copies on the same trip.

Connecticut law allows judges, justices of the peace, and ordained clergy to solemnize marriages. Many couples hire a justice of the peace, since they are appointed at the town level and widely available, while others ask a minister, rabbi, or imam they know. A friend or relative cannot sign the license unless they hold one of these roles. If your officiant lives outside Connecticut, ask the clerk whether extra steps apply before the wedding. Whoever officiates must complete the license correctly, so give them the form in good condition and confirm who will return it.

Start with the town clerk's office that recorded the marriage. Clerks keep the local record and can issue certified copies, usually on request with identification and a fee. Mention if you need the copy for a name change, since agencies often want a recent certified copy with a raised seal. The Connecticut Department of Public Health's vital records office also holds records at the state level and can point you in the right direction if the town cannot help. Processing times vary, and in-person requests are often quicker than mail. Give the names as they appear on the license and the approximate wedding date.