Marriage License Frequently Asked Questions

The parties may go to any county in Kentucky to get a marriage license if both are 18 years of age or older. Marriage licenses may be used in any Kentucky county and cannot be used anywhere but in Kentucky. If the marriage is not solemnized within the 30-day period, the parties must apply for a new license. Both must be present to obtain a license.

The county clerk issues marriage licenses. Marriage licenses are valid for 30 days, including the date it is issued, and after that time it is invalid. Therefore, if the marriage is not solemnized within the 30-day period, the parties must apply for a new license.

Dixie Branch
4919-F Dixie Highway
Hours: 8:30 to 4:30 T, W, Th, F
Extended Hours: Monday 8:30 to 6:30

Professional License
527 West Jefferson St, Room 100A
Louisville, KY 40202

East Branch
12312-A Shelbyville Road
Middletown Plaza
Hours: 8:30 to 4:30 T, W, Th, F
Extended Hours: Monday 8:30 to 6:30

Fairdale Branch
10616 Manslick Road
Fairdale Playtorium
Hours: 8:30 to 4:30 M, W, Th, F
Extended Hours:Tuesday 8:30 to 6:30

Highview Branch
7813 Beulah Church Road
Beulah Church Shopping Center
Hours: 8:30 to 4:30 T, W, Th, F
Extended Hours: Monday 8:30 to 6:30

Jeffersontown Branch
10420 Watterson Trail,
Bremer Ehrler Bldg.
Hours: 8:30 to 4:30 M, T, W, F
Extended Hours: Thursday 8:30 to 6:30

West Branch
228 Amy Avenue
French Plaza
Hours: 8:30 to 4:30 M, W, Th, F
Extended Hours: Tuesday 8:30 to 6:30

Westport Plaza Branch
9455 Westport Road,
Westport Plaza Shopping Center
Hours: 8:30 to 4:30 M, T, Th, F
Extended Hours: Wednesday 8:30 to 6:30

Yes, you can get a marriage license in one county in Kentucky and marry in another in Kentucky.

No, there is no waiting period or blood test requirement.

An application for a marriage license must be made in person by both parties at the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office.

In Jefferson County, you may make application in person at any of our seven Branch Locations. Or, you may make an application in person at our Professional License Department, located in Metro Hall, 527 W. Jefferson St., Room 100A.

Identification is required. Acceptable forms of ID in accordance with the statue and KCCA’s recorder’s manual include: Drivers License, current state picture ID or passport.

Both parties must be 18 years old or older.

There is a $50.00 fee ($60 starting June 27, 2025) for a marriage license.

We accept cash, checks, Visa, MC and Discover.

No, unless you’re under 18.

No, you don't need to bring your divorce decree.

No, you don't need to bring your social security card.

1. Marriages between persons who are nearer of kin to each other by blood, than second cousins.
2. Marriages between first cousins.
3. Marriages with a person mentally incompetent.
4. Marriages where one of the parties living, from whom the person marrying has not been divorced.
5. Marriages not solemnized or contracted in the presence of an authorized person or society.
6. Common law marriages.
7. Proxy marriages.

A person 17 years old must present the clerk with an order from District Court first, before applying for a marriage license. No one under 17 years old may marry in Kentucky, under any circumstances.

1. Marriages shall be solemnized only by clergy, justices and judges of the Court of Justice; retired justices and judges of the Court of Justice, except those removed for cause or convicted of a felony; county judge/executives; such justices of the peace and fiscal court commissioners as the Governor or the county judge/executive authorizes, and certain religious societies.
2. At least two persons, in addition to the parties and the person solemnizing the marriage, must be present at every marriage.
3. There are no residency requirements or licensing requirements applicable to ministers or priests who wish to perform marriages in Kentucky.
4. A minister or priest, all justices and judges of the Court of Justice, justices of the peace and fiscal court commissioners may perform marriages anywhere in Kentucky.

Send written notice to:

Jefferson County Clerk’s Office
Professional License Department
527 W. Jefferson St., Room 100A
Louisville, KY 40202

• Include in the written notice the following information: brides maiden name, grooms name and date of marriage(year) if before June 26, 2015; After June 25, 2015 partner 1 or partner 2 maiden name and date of marriage (year).
• A certified copy is $6.00 by mail.

A certified copy of a marriage license can also be obtained in person at the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, Professional License Department. The fee to obtain a certified copy of the marriage license in person is $5. The Professional License Department accepts the following forms of payment: cash, certified check, cashier’s check, money order, personal check, Visa, Discover, AMX or MasterCard.