Marriage Licenses
Obtaining A Marriage License
For information or to schedule an appointment to purchase a marriage license, please contact the Clerk's Office at (270) 887-4105 ext. 3.
If you are looking for someone to perform your marriage ceremony, you may contact Magaline Ferguson at (270) 719-1764 or email [email protected]. First, contact Ms. Ferguson to schedule a date and time for the ceremony. Then, call the Clerk's Office to set up a marriage license appointment.
After an appointment has been scheduled:
- Submit a MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION online at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time.
- Call the Clerk's Office at least one day before your scheduled appointment to verify that the application has been received.
- Once these steps are completed, you may come to your appointment with your driver's license (we cannot take Military ID's) to pick up your marriage license in the Deed/Marriage License office in room 10 on the main floor of the Clerk's Office. Bring your payment of $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. After scheduling an appointment, the couple must be present to sign for the license. The marriage ceremony MUST take place in the state of KENTUCKY, within 30 days of purchasing the marriage license (including the actual day of purchase). If the timeframe is exceeded, then the license will be invalid, and a new license must be purchased.
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. After the marriage has been recorded at the Clerk's Office, you may receive a certified copy (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. After the marriage has been recorded at the Clerk's Office, you may receive a certified copy (click HERE for an example of a completed marriage license).
This is a non-refundable fee.
Age Requirements
Applicants must be 18 years of age to be married in the state of Kentucky. Please be sure to bring your Driver's License, State ID, or Passport when applying for the license. MILITARY ID'S will not be accepted.
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
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 an application online. Each party must provide information for the license.
Information Required
Information Required
- Full Legal Name (First, Middle and Last) *last name must match what is on your social security card*
- Address of where you currently reside, including the city, county, and state.
- Date of Birth
- County, state, or location of birth if other is chosen. City is okay if you don't know the county.
- Parent one's full name (for example: (father) John William Smith Jr.)
- Parent two's full name including first, middle, maiden, current (for example: (mother) Jane Lee Doe Smith)
- Ethnicity
- Gender
- Occupation (if in school then 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, address and 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
After the marriage license is completed and returned to the Clerk's Office, it is recorded and filed in the Deed/Marriage License office (room #10 on the main floor). If at any point you need a certified copy of a marriage license you can mail a request to Christian County Clerk, 511 S. Main St., Hopkinsville, KY 42240 ATTN: Marriage License. Requests should include both individuals' names including maiden if applicable, date of marriage, phone number, a self-addressed stamped envelope and a $5.00 processing fee. Should you fail to include these requirements, the fee will increase to $7.00 for the certified copy plus postage. You may also request a regular copy (no seal) for 50¢. We accept check or money order by mail payable to: Christian County Clerk.