Marriage Licenses
Obtaining A Marriage License
To purchase a marriage license you will contact our office at (270) 887-4105 ext. 3, to set up an appointment first if you already know the date of marriage and who is performing your ceremony. If you are needing someone to perform your marriage ceremony, we have one contact person to call or email: Magaline Ferguson: (270) 719-1764, [email protected]. If you chose to use Ms. Ferguson you will contact her first to set a date and time and then call our office to set up a corresponding time for your appointment
Once you have set up the appointment the following steps are next:
- Submit your marriage license application online at least 24 hours before your appointment time.
- Call the day before your appointment to make sure your application was submitted and did go through.
- Show up for your appointment with your driver's license (we can not take Military ID's) and $50.00 cash, check, or money order. Please make checks or money orders payable to: Christian County Clerk.
Who Can Use A Marriage License & How Long Is It Valid?
A Kentucky marriage license can be issued by any County Clerk's office in Kentucky, regardless of what county in Kentucky you are getting married in. The couple must be present to apply for the license. The marriage ceremony must take place in the state of KENTUCKY, within 30 days of purchasing the marriage license (counting the actual day of purchase). If this does not happen then the license will be invalid and you will have to purchase another license.
After your marriage is performed you must return the completed Marriage License to the County Clerk's office (where license was purchased), within 30 days of the marriage ceremony, so that it can be recorded and certified copies can be given to you (click HERE for an example of a completed marriage license).
This is a non-refundable fee.
After your marriage is performed you must return the completed Marriage License to the County Clerk's office (where license was purchased), within 30 days of the marriage ceremony, so that it can be recorded and certified copies can be given to you (click HERE for an example of a completed marriage license).
This is a non-refundable fee.
Age Requirements
You must be 18 years of age to be married in Kentucky without a court order. Please be sure to bring your Driver's License, State ID, or Passport (MILITARY ID'S CAN NOT BE USED) when applying for the license.
Applicants under the age of 17 cannot get married in the State of Kentucky, applicants that are 17 must provide a court order, per KRS 402.210. *
Applicants under the age of 17 cannot get married in the State of Kentucky, applicants that are 17 must provide a court order, per KRS 402.210. *
Procedures
There is NO waiting period or blood test required prior to issuance of a marriage license. In the State of Kentucky, the bride and groom MUST be present to sign and swear that the information on the license is true. The following information is needed to submit application online. There are two sections one for each party.
Information Required
Information Required
- Full Legal Name (First, Middle and Last) *last name must match what is on your social security card*
- Address where you currently reside
- City, County, and State of where you currently reside
- Date of Birth
- County of Birth (City is ok if you don't know the county), State, or location of birth if other is chosen
- Parent one's full name (for example: father John William Smith Jr.)
- Parent two's full name (for example: mother Jane Lee Doe Smith) First, Middle, Maiden, Current
- Ethnicity
- Gender
- Occupation (where you work, if in school you would put full time student)
- Marital Status (single, divorced, annulled, or widowed) Number of previous marriages
- Relationship to other party (KRS 402.010 (1))* (If you are not related by blood please put NONE)
- Signature, Social Security Number, and Address & Telephone After Marriage will be filled out when you come in for your appointment
*All KRS numbers can be clicked on to see the actual document.
Obtaining a certified copy of a marriage license
Once the marriage license is completed and returned to the county clerk's office it is recorded and filed in the Deed Room on the first floor. If at any point you need a certified copy of a marriage license you can mail a request to our office at: Christian County Clerk, 511 S. Main St., Hopkinsville, KY 42240 ATTN: Marriage License. A certified copy is $5.00 if you send in a self addressed stamped envelope to return the certified copy. If you do not the fee is $7.00 for the certified copy plus postage. Also, you can request a regular copy (no seal) for 50¢. Request can be handwritten with both individuals names including maiden if applicable, date of marriage, phone number, and an address to mail the copy to. We accept check, or money order through the mail. Please make checks and money orders out to: Christian County Clerk.