State-by-State Marriage Waiting Period Times

Each state has different laws regarding getting married. One thing each state, including the District of Columbia, has in common is that they all require getting a marriage license. Some states are less restrictive than others. More than half of the states have no waiting times. Wisconsin has the longest waiting period—6 days.

In order to get married, some of the variables that change from state to state include the need for blood tests, waiting periods before applying for the license and getting the license, and how soon you can get married after you are issued the license.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most marriage licenses have an expiration. With the exception of the District of Columbia and five other states (Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina), marriage licenses from all the other states have a timer on how long they are valid. The shortest is Oklahoma, which expires 10 days after its issued.

Why the Wait?

A waiting period was mandated to ensure that couples have time to really think things out and be certain that they're making the right decision. For states that require a wait, there's no spur of the moment, rash decisions to tie the knot.

Most states allow you to get married immediately after a marriage license is issued. There are seven exceptions. Delaware, Illinois, and New York have a one-day wait. Maryland has a two-day wait. And, Iowa, Louisiana, and Texas have a three-day wait.

State-by-State Marriage Waiting Times

Laws change all the time; use this chart as a guide only.

Before you make wedding or travel plans, you should check with your county clerk or local marriage license office to confirm that the rules have not changed. For example, most states have eliminated the need for blood tests. Montana is the only state that still requires a blood test (although it can be waived).

State	Waiting Time
Alabama	None
Alaska	3 business days
Arizona	None
Arkansas	None
California	None
Colorado	None
Connecticut	None
Delaware	24 hours. If both nonresidents, 96 hours.
District of Columbia	5 days
Florida	No waiting period for Florida residents who have both completed a state-sanctioned marriage preparation course within the last 12 months. There is a three-day waiting period for Florida residents who have not taken the course.
Georgia	None
Hawaii	None
Idaho	None
Illinois	24 hours
Indiana	None
Iowa	3 business days
Kansas	3 business days
Kentucky	None
Louisiana	72 hours. Out-of-state couples can get married in New Orleans without a wait.
Maine	None
Maryland	48 hours
Massachusetts	3 days
Michigan	3 days
Minnesota	5 days
Mississippi	None
Missouri	3 days
Montana	None
Nebraska	None
Nevada	None
New Hampshire	3 days
New Jersey	72 hours
New Mexico	None
New York	24 hours
North Carolina	None
North Dakota	None
Ohio	None
Oklahoma	None
Oregon	3 days
Pennsylvania	3 days
Rhode Island	None
South Carolina	24 hours
South Dakota	None
Tennessee	None
Texas	72 hours
Utah	None
Vermont	None
Virginia	None
Washington	3 days
West Virginia	None
Wisconsin	6 days
Wyoming	None