When you get married, you need to apply for a marriage license. This is done by the Bride and Groom at any County Clerk's office.  Here, you will get the paperwork I require in order to legally marry you. The license is good for only 30 days, so you should plan on picking that up about 2-3 weeks before your wedding. You both must present picture ID (preferrably a Driver's License). The Marriage License for Salt Lake County costs $50. If you or your fiance are under 18, but over 15, you will need your parents to consent before a license is issued.

One rule of thumb is to place the Marriage License in the same garment bag as the Wedding dress. Since no bride will be married without her gown, this helps to make sure the License isn't misplaced. I must see the license before the wedding can begin.

The Marriage License is given to me on the day of the wedding, I double check it to make sure it is legal, complete and not expired, and then the ceremony can begin. After the ceremony is complete, I sign, the Bride and Groom sign and two witnesses who are above the age of 18 sign that the wedding has taken place. I am then legally responsible for submitting the completed licence to the County Clerk within 30 days of the wedding (there are some stiff penalties for those who do not comply). I send all my wedding licenses Certified Mail to ensure they are delivered within 24 - 72 hours after the wedding, and we both have proof of delivery.  This is a free service I provide to insure your legal papers are handled in a quick and secure manner.

Once the County Clerk receives and validates the license, the Clerk will send 2 (two) certified copies of the marriage license back to you. This is what you will need to change your name on your Drivers License, SSN card and to be added to one another's health insurance, etc. I recommend keeping one in a safe deposit box or somewhere safe. It costs $5 apiece for each additional copy.

More information about Marriage Licenses and requirements can be found here:
http://www.clerk.slco.org/marriage/, or you can reach the County Clerk at the following address and phone:

Salt Lake County Clerk, Marriage License Division
2001 South State Street #S2200
Salt Lake City, Utah 84190-1050
(801) 468-3439
Hours: Weekdays 8 am - 5 pm 


Do I have to obtain the license from the county I am getting married in?

You can obtain a license from ANY county clerk's office, which is valid in the entire State of Utah. Most of the same rules apply from County to County, as marriage is regulated by the State, although each County may have stricter requirements than each other.

For Utah County, it is $50, same ID required as Salt Lake, 30 day expiration, etc. They only provide one certified copy of your marriage certificate, $5 fee for additional copies. Their website is here:
http://www.co.utah.ut.us/dept/clerkaud/marriagelic/index.asp

Utah County Clerks Office
100 East Center Street. Room 3600
Provo, Utah 84606
851-8226 or 851-8108
Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
(The office is not open on Saturday, Sunday or holidays)

Now, remember, wherever you get your license, you both have to appear before the clerk and present ID.