Marriage License
Marriage License
For those who wish to marry within Massachusetts....
A Notice of Intention of Marriage must be filed with a Massachusetts City/Town Clerk's office prior to your Date of Marriage.
This can be done at ANY Clerk's office in Massachusetts... it does NOT have to be filed in the Town you live in or the Town that you are getting married in.
**You just need to remember where you filed them as this will be the only Town that can produce certified copies of your Marriage Certificate.**
Both parties must be present to fill out the forms and must provide a photo I.D.
YOU MUST KNOW THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BEFORE FILING INTENTIONS:
1. Date of Marriage
2. Place of Marriage (physical address)
3. Name, Address & Title of Officiant
4. Parent's Middle Names & Maiden Names
There is a mandatory 3 day waiting period from the time that Intentions are filed and when the Marriage License can be issued.
A Marriage License is valid for 60 days. Therefore, do NOT file Intentions more than 60 days prior to your Date of Marriage.
The fee for filing Marriage Intentions in the Town of Hatfield is $20.00.
The Marriage License must be picked up prior to the Date of Marriage. Applicants then hand the License over to the person who is officiating their marriage. After the marriage takes place, the officiant will return the completed Marriage License to the Clerk's office where Intentions were filed.
Once the Marriage License is received in by the Town Clerk's office, certified copies of your Marriage Certificate may be purchased for $10.00 each.
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IS A NON-CLERGY FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER OFFICIATING YOUR WEDDING?
If so, they will need to apply for a One-Day Designation Certificate from the Governor's office. Once approved, the applicant will receive an official "Certificate of Solemnization" by mail. This Certificate must be returned to the Clerk's office along with the Marriage License once the marriage has been performed. To apply or find out more information about a One-Day Designation Certificate, please click here.
IS AN OUT-OF-STATE CLERGY MEMBER OFFICIATING YOUR WEDDING?
If so, they will need to apply for the Non-Resident Clergy Petition in order to perform a marriage in Massachusetts. Once approved, the applicant will receive an official "Certificate of Solemnization" by mail. This Certificate must be returned to the Clerk's office along with the Marriage License once the marriage has been performed. To apply or find out more information about a Non-Resident Clergy Petition, please click here.
Need to find a Justice of the Peace to officiate your wedding?
Click here to visit the Massachusetts Justices of the Peace Association website to find a JP by name or location.