Make It Legal

NEW YORK Marriage Residency requirement: No Process: Begin marriage-license application online via the city clerk’s office of your choice; if you don’t have Internet access, you can complete the entire application in person at the office. Both you and your intended spouse must visit the office together, no appointment necessary, with government-issued identification; outside of New York City, you will also need proof of age, such as a birth certificate. License cost: $35 in New York City, $40 elsewhere in the state (money order or credit card only) Ceremony: 24-hour waiting period after license is issued; a judicial waiver from the county court in which you live can remove the waiting period. License expires in 60 days. Witness over age 18 must be present. Clerk’s office ceremonies performed on a first-come, first-served basis for $25 (money order or credit card only).

NEW JERSEY Civil union Residency requirement: No Process: Complete the civil-union license application form available online via the New Jersey Department of Health or obtain a form at a local registrar’s office. You and your partner must sign it under oath before the local registrar (some municipalities require appointments). Bring government-issued identification and residency proof, along with a witness for application. License cost: $28 Ceremony: License issued 72 hours after application; waiting period can be waived by a Superior Court judge. Ceremony, with two witnesses present, must be held within 30 days.

DELAWARE Civil union (effective Jan. 1, 2012) Residency requirement: No Process: You and your partner can apply for a civil-union license in person during business hours at a local clerk’s office. Bring government-issued identification. License cost: $50 for Delaware residents, $75 for non-residents Ceremony: 24-hour waiting period after license is issued, and license expires in 30 days. Civil ceremonies at a clerk’s office are by appointment only, $50 for residents and $75 for non-residents.

D.C. Marriage Residency requirement: No Process: Application can be accessed online from the D.C. Superior Court but must be signed by both in person at the D.C. Marriage Bureau. You must present government-issued identification and have a witness present. License cost: $35 (only cash or money order) Ceremony: License will be issued three business days later and has no expiration date. You should schedule a civil wedding ceremony two- to-three weeks in advance. There is no cost.

NEW HAMPSHIRE Marriage Residency requirement: No Process: Both you and your partner must fill out a license application in person at any municipal clerk’s office. Bring government-issued identification. License cost: $45 (cash only) Ceremony: No waiting period exists. License expires after 90 days.

MASSACHUSETTS Marriage Residency requirement: No Process: Both you and your partner must fill out an application in a municipal clerk’s office and bring government-issued identification. License cost: Varies Ceremony: License will be issued after three business days and expires after 60 days. Witnesses are not required for a civil ceremony.

VERMONT Marriage Residency requirement: No Process: License applications must be filled out in person at a city or town clerk’s office, and you and your partner must present government-issued identification. License cost: $45 Ceremony: No waiting period. License expires after 60 days. Witnesses are not required for a civil ceremony.

CONNECTICUT Marriage Residency requirement: No Process: Both of you must appear at a town or city clerk’s office, although it does not need to be simultaneously, to apply for a license; bring government-issued photo identification and proof of age, such as a birth certificate. License cost: $30 Ceremony: No waiting period. License expires after 65 days. Witnesses are not required for a civil ceremony.

— Jen Colletta

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