Here's what you need to know to make the marriage legal in Connecticut. In

order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document in your state that allows you to officially tie the knot under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are.

You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.

When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, but you'll need to apply for the certificate together, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, will need to have completed blood tests (to make sure you are not too closely related or have any kinds of diseases you should know about), and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to havea witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.

And, believe it or not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you

in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice

of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.

ID Requirement: Government issued ID such as drivers license, visa, passport, state or military ID. Bring your social security cards.

Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Connecticut.

Premarital Certificate: Premarital certificates are available from your State Health Department or by downloading one (Pdf). This form must go to the laboratory doing your blood tests. The laboratorian must fill out Statement III and sign in the appropriate place. The premarital certificate is then returned to your health care provider for review and signature under Statement II. The certificate must have your complete name without abbreviations or initials as it appears on your birth certificate unless it has been legally changed. You must return to health care provider's office to sign the premarital certificate in the health care provider's presence. At that time the test results will be explained to you and you will be given a written copy of your rubella results, if applicable.

All signatures on the certificate must be original. It is this completed premarital

certificate that you will present to the town clerk of the town in which you plan to marry when you apply for your marriage license. Each person must appear with his/her premarital certificate before the marriage license can be issued.

Other Tests: Everyone getting married must have a standard test for syphilis.

In addition, all women under the age of 50 and capable of pregnancy must have a standard test for rubella (German measles) susceptibility. Exempt are women who have proof of immunity in the form of a laboratory report. These tests are provided by licensed physicians, osteopaths, advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), nurse-midwives (LNM) and physician assistants in Connecticut.

Non-Residents Marrying in Connecticut: The laboratory tests must be

performed by a laboratory approved for premarital testing by the state in which it is located. This rule also applies to Military Bases. If the state does not have premarital blood test law, testing must be performed by the State Health Department Laboratory of the state in which the applicant resides. Blood tests performed in foreign countries other than Canada are not valid. Premarital Certificate - Premarital certificates of other states are accepted only if the other state has a comparable law. Although many states have comparable laws for men, at this time only the following states have a comparable law for both men and women: Georgia, Massachusetts, Montana, New Mexico. If the state in which you reside must be obtained by the testing laboratory from the State Health Department Laboratory of the state in which the laboratoryis located.

Connecticut Residents: Connecticut residents marrying elsewhere - not all

states have the same premarital requirements. If you plan on marrying in

another state, you must meet their requirements.

Medical Appointment: A medical appointment should be made approximately

one month before the wedding to allow for the timely processing of specimens

 and paperwork. The test is valid for thirty-five days from date of test to date

of application. The date of test is given on the premarital certificate.

Exact Name: For the marriage license, give the physician your complete name

without abbreviations or initials as it appears on your birth certificate unless it

has been legally changed.

Return Visit: The physician will notify you when the results are received.

You must return to the office and sign the Premarital Certificate in the

physician's presence and at that time the results will be explained to you. It is

this Premarital Certificate you will present to the Town Clerk of the town in

which you plan to marry when you apply for your marriage license. Each person

must appear with his/her premarital certificate before the marriage license can

be issued.

Waiting Period: No waiting period.

Fees: $35 - Cash only.

Under 18: Applicants 18 years of age or over do not require parental consent

to marry in Connecticut. If applicant is under the age of 18 written consent of

the parent or guardian is required and under the age of 16 the Judge of probate must endorse with written consent on the license.

Miscellaneous: If you plan to use your married name at work, be sure to have

your name changed in Social Security records. This way, you will get credit for

all your earnings. It's easy and it's absolutely free. Contact Social Security Online to locate your local office. You will need documentary evidence showing both your old name and your new name.

Additional Information: The premarital laws in some states are changing rapidly. If you have questions that cannot be answered by the town clerk of the town in which you plan to marry, contact the Public Health Laboratory, (860) 509-8505, for current information and requirements in Connecticut.

Officiants: Call the town clerk in the town your wish to be married in for a complete list of Justices of the Peace. All ordained or licensed clergymen belonging to this state or any other state may perform marriages as long as they continue in the work of the ministry. Marriage license must be completed by the minister or officiant and returned to the city or town clerk.

Valid: License is valid for 65 days.
The license can only be used within the State of Connecticut. __________________________________________________________________

 For a list of Connecticut Town Clerk's Offices  Click here!