City of Boston exact answer
What prior-marriage documents are required in City of Boston?
This answer belongs to the issuing office and task named above. It does not substitute a statewide summary or infer a rule the office does not publish.
Direct answer
In City of Boston, an applicant who was previously married must state how many times, and give the date the divorce became final or show annulment papers. You cannot apply until at least one day after the divorce is final, and in Massachusetts a divorce is not considered final until after 90 days. Check the divorce decree for the exact date. An applicant who lives in Massachusetts but divorced in another state is asked to call the Registry Division at 617-635-4175 first.
Published rule and conditions
- Prior-marriage documents
- An applicant who was previously married must state how many times, and give the date the divorce became final or show annulment papers. You cannot apply until at least one day after the divorce is final, and in Massachusetts a divorce is not considered final until after 90 days. Check the divorce decree for the exact date.
An applicant who lives in Massachusetts but divorced in another state is asked to call the Registry Division at 617-635-4175 first.
Applies in some casesYou can’t apply for a marriage license until at least one day after the divorce is final. In Massachusetts, a divorce is not considered final until after 90 days.
Issuing office
City of Boston Registry Division (Registry: Birth, Death, and Marriage)
Official sources for this answer
- How to Get Married in BostonCity of Boston Registry Division - checked July 26, 2026
To apply for a marriage license couples must apply together, make an appointment, and come to City Hall in person. A marriage license is only good to use between 3 and 60 days in Massachusetts from the date you applied. You also can't use the marriage license outside of Massachusetts. The Registry will issue your marriage license immediately. However, you cannot use it to get married for 3 days after your appointment. A $50 application fee. We take cash, a debit or credit card, or a money order made payable to the "City of Boston".
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MarriageLicenseCheck is an independent reference, not the issuing office or legal advice. Applicant facts, timing, prior marriages, and document type can change the result. The official office decides what it will accept.
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