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City of Boston exact answer

Is there a marriage license waiting period 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

The published waiting period in City of Boston is 3 days. The license is printed and handed over at the appointment, but it cannot be used for three days. State law counts Sundays and holidays inside the three days.

Published rule and conditions

Marriage license waiting period
3 days

The license is printed and handed over at the appointment, but it cannot be used for three days. State law counts Sundays and holidays inside the three days.

Official requirement

The Registry will issue your marriage license immediately. However, you cannot use it to get married for 3 days after your appointment.

Issuing office

City of Boston Registry Division (Registry: Birth, Death, and Marriage)

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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".

  • Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 207, Section 19: Intention of marriage; situs; time; feesThe General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts - checked July 26, 2026

    Persons intending to be joined in marriage in the commonwealth shall, not less than three days before their marriage, jointly cause notice of their intention to be filed in the office of the clerk or registrar of any city or town in the commonwealth. In computing the three day period specified in this section and in determining the third day referred to in section twenty-eight, Sundays and holidays shall be counted.

Answer boundary

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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