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Obtaining a Marriage License in Massachusetts

All persons wishing to marry in Massachusetts must obtain a marriage license
issued from a Massachusetts City or Town Clerk's Office of their choice. The
bride and groom must jointly apply for the license (file intentions) in person
at the Clerk's Office. Marriage licenses are permanently maintained on file at
the Clerk's Office where the marriage intention is filed.
Marriage Intentions may be filed at the Sunderland Town Clerk's Office, Monday -
Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Thursday 8:00am-12:00pm,

Monday, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Applying for a Marriage License
According to Massachusetts law, you must jointly file intentions to marry, and
you may do so with the city or town clerk in any community in the state. If a
person is in the military, intentions may be filed by either party, providing
one is a Massachusetts resident. If a person is incarcerated in a county house
of correction or a state correctional facility, intentions may be filed by
either party. A marriage license, once obtained, is valid for 60 days from the
date intentions are filed and may be used in any Massachusetts city or town. It
is not valid outside of the state.
License Availability
While Sundays and holidays are included in the three days, the day the
application is made is not. For example, if you apply on Friday, your license
will be issued on or after Monday. Check with your town clerk to determine
whether you must pick up the license in person, or if it may be mailed.
Age Guidelines
A Massachusetts resident may marry if he or she is 18 years of age or older. A
birth certificate may be required to show proof or age. If either party is under
18, a court order from a probate or district court where the minor resides must
be obtained before the marriage intentions can be filed.
Previously Married
Neither party is required to present a divorce certificate when filing
intentions to marry. However, it is extremely important that an individual who
has been divorced be certain that his/her divorce is absolute. If the party is
uncertain as to the absolute date of the divorce, they should contact the court
where the divorce was granted. In Massachusetts, a divorce does not become
absolute until 90 days after the divorce nisi has been granted, regardless of
the grounds for divorce.
There are no special requirements for a widow or widower who is remarrying.
Ceremony
Massachusetts statute does not require that witnesses be present at your
ceremony. However, if a member of the clergy performs the ceremony, you should
ensure that you are in conformity with the appropriate religious tenets.
Solemnizer/clergy
If an out-of-state member of the clergy is to perform the marriage, the
clergyperson must obtain a Certificate of Authorization from the Massachusetts
Secretary of the Commonwealth prior to the ceremony. This certificate, which is
issued by the Public Records Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, is
to be attached to the original license and returned to the clerk of the city or
town where the license was issued. For further information, contact:
Division of Public Records
Secretary of the Commonwealth
One Ashburton Place, Room 1719
Boston, MA 02108(617) 727-2836
If a person other than a member of the clergy is designated as "Solemnizer" or
Justice of the Peace for the Ceremony, further information can be obtained from:
Secretary of the Commonwealth
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-5787

Additional assistance
You may contact the Town Clerk’s office at (413) 665-1442, or:
Department of Public Health
Registry of Vital Records & Statistics
150 Mt. Vernon Street
Dorchester, MA 02125-3100
(617) 740-2600
Obtaining certified copies of the Marriage License
It has been the experience of the Town Clerk that many couples wish to have a
certified copy of their marriage record to keep with family records and to
comply with the constant demands made today for proof of marriage. If you wish a
certified copy of your marriage records, the Town Clerk will be pleased to send
you one upon receipt of a check for $10.00 made out to the Town of Sunderland.
Include the following information when requesting your copy:
Date of Marriage:
Name of Groom:
Name of Bride:
Address to mail:
Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marriage Licenses
Is there a waiting period from the date of application to the date the license
is issued?
Yes, there is a mandatory three-day waiting period.
May we marry before the three days for good reason?
Yes, if you can obtain a court waiver after filing intentions. You should file
your intentions first with any city or town clerk. Then, we suggest calling:
Franklin County District Court, Clerk's Office (413) 774-5533
What is the cost of a marriage license?
Individual communities set the fee for a marriage license. The fee in Sunderland
is $25 which includes the issuance of one certified copy of the Certificate of
Marriage once the marriage has occurred and the Certificate has been recorded
with the Office of the Town Clerk.
What are the responsibilities of the member of the clergy or justice of the
peace?
The member of the clergy or justice of the peace authorized to solemnize
marriages in Massachusetts, must complete and sign the original license and
return it to the clerk of the city or town where the license was issued. A
marriage is not deemed valid until the license has been returned to the Office
of the Town Clerk where the intention was filed and that office has assigned it
a register number and files it with the Department of Vital Records and
Statistics.