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1. How do I get my License?

As of October 1, 2009 a Marriage License in the State of Connecticut can only be obtained from the town of occurrence. The marriage MUST be performed in the town indicated on the license.

It is strongly suggested you call ahead with the date and time you wish to come in to ensure there is a Registrar of Vital Records available in the office to execute the license.

2. Do we need to be there?

To obtain a Marriage License, both parties must appear in person at the same time to process your License.
If you are unable to be in our office during processing hours, you must contact us to see if other arrangements can be made.

3. Do we need blood tests?

As of October 1, 2003, NO blood test is necessary.  

4. What else do we need to bring?

• You will need a valid Photo ID (either Driver’s License, or Passport is acceptable). 
• In cases of divorce prior to this union, NO divorce papers are necessary. 
• Complete the Marriage Worksheet from our website to expedite the process. Include the date of your marriage along with the name, address, title and telephone number of the person performing the ceremony.

5. When may the license be used?

The license is valid for 65 days from the date of application and can be used immediately after obtaining it.

6. What is the fee?

The fee for obtaining a Marriage License in the State of Connecticut is $50.00. Payment method is cash or check (payable to Town of Orange)

Additionally, at the time you obtain your license in Orange, CT we offer you the opportunity to pay for a certified copy of the license which will automatically be sent to you once we have received the original back from the officiator. The current fee for a certified copy of a vital record is $20.

7. Who is authorized to perform marriages in Connecticut?

Sec. 46b-22. (Formerly Sec. 46-3). Who may join persons in marriage. Penalty for unauthorized performance. (a) Persons authorized to solemnize marriages in this state include (1) all judges and retired judges, either elected or appointed, including federal judges and judges of other states who may legally join persons in marriage in their jurisdictions, (2) family support magistrates, family support referees, state referees and justices of the peace who are appointed in Connecticut, and (3) all ordained or licensed members of the clergy, belonging to this state or any other state. All marriages solemnized according to the forms and usages of any religious denomination in this state, including marriages witnessed by a duly constituted Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is, are valid. All marriages attempted to be celebrated by any other person are void.

(b) No public official legally authorized to issue marriage licenses may join persons in marriage under authority of a license issued by himself, or his assistant or deputy; nor may any such assistant or deputy join persons in marriage under authority of a license issued by such public official.

(c) Any person violating any provision of this section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars.

(1949 Rev., S. 7306; 1951, S. 3001d; 1967, P.A. 129, S. 1; P.A. 78-230, S. 4, 54; P.A. 79-37, S. 1, 2; P.A. 87-316, S. 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 27, 58; P.A. 06-196, S. 276; P.A. 07-79, S. 5; P.A. 15-74, S. 1; 15-85, S. 4.)

History: 1967 act specified validity of marriages witnessed by Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is; P.A. 78-230 divided section into Subsecs., deleted reference to county and reordered and rephrased provisions in Subsec. (a) and substituted “may” for “shall” in Subsec. (b); P.A. 79-37 authorized retired judges and state referees to perform marriages; Sec. 46-3 transferred to Sec. 46b-22 in 1979; P.A. 87-316 applied provisions to family support magistrates; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re federal judges and judges of other states who may legally join persons in marriage in their jurisdictions, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 07-79 amended Subsec. (a) to add Subdiv. designators (1) to (3), revise provisions re persons authorized to solemnize marriages within the state and make technical changes; P.A. 15-74 amended Subsec. (a)(3) by deleting requirement that members of the clergy continue in the work of the ministry; P.A. 15-85 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by adding “family support referees”, effective June 24, 2015.

Annotations to former section 46-3:

Minister who solemnizes marriage must be “settled in the work of the ministry”. 2 R. 382. Ordained deacon performing usual duties of minister held to be authorized. 4 C. 134. A clergyman in performing marriage ceremony is a public officer and his acts in that capacity prima facie evidence of his character. Id., 219. Proof of celebration of marriage raises a presumption of its validity. 85 C. 186; 93 C. 47. In absence of proof of authority of justice of peace, marriage void; our law does not recognize common law marriages. 129 C. 432. Marriage, deficient for want of due solemnization, voidable. 163 C. 588.

8. What happens to the certificate after the ceremony?

The person who performs the Marriage ceremony must complete the certificate after performing the ceremony.  It is their responsibility to return it to the Registrar of the Town where the ceremony occurred.

The town maintains the original license and sends certified copies to the State of Connecticut, and any town(s) of residence within Connecticut that are listed on the certificate for the parties involved.  Once that occurs, you may purchase certified copies from either the town of occurrence or the town(s) of residence listed on the certificate.

9. Do we need an appointment?

It is strongly suggested you call ahead with the date and time you wish to come in to ensure there is a Registrar of Vital Records available in the office to execute the license. 

(203) 891-4730