How to Get a Marriage License in Idaho

So your venue’s booked, the date set, invites sent and the countdown is officially on. Now, there is only one thing left to do: get your marriage license! And if you are tying the knot in the state of Idaho, the process is nothing to stress about.

It’s just about gathering some documents, filling out your Idaho marriage license application online, and making the trip to the Recorder’s Office (there's one in every county in Idaho within the local courthouse and government headquarters!). To learn more about obtaining an Idaho marriage license, we spoke with Idaho-based event expert Becky Johnson.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Idaho

Marriage license requirements differ by state, and as far as states go, Idaho’s guidelines are really straightforward. You may take care of your Idaho marriage license at a Recorder’s Office in any county of the state and it will be valid anywhere within the state—which is helpful if, say, you live in Boise but are getting married in Coeur d’Alene (or anywhere more than an hour’s drive away).

Unlike some other states, Idaho has no waiting period between obtaining your marriage license and getting married, so in theory, you could even take care of this to-do on your wedding day. That being said, because Idaho marriage licenses are valid for a full 12 months and never actually expire, there’s no reason to wait until the last minute.

"I’ve worked with couples who were too wrapped up in the craziness of the wedding day that they simply forgot to get a license," Johnson says. "One couple getting married on New Year's Eve wasn’t able to get their license after rushing to the Recorder's Office last minute. They went through with the ceremony and obtained one after, so their legal marriage date wasn't on New Year’s Eve, after all. Another couple who came from Mexico also forgot to obtain a license. I drove them in a resort van, in full wedding attire, to the courthouse the day of the ceremony—and we got it, thankfully!"

Bring Your Documentation

Once you’ve begun your online marriage license application, it’s time to make an in-person visit to the Recorder’s Office—no appointment is necessary. However, you'll need to bring the following:

• Proof of Identity. To prove your identity, show a current driver’s license, state ID, passport, or original birth certificate or certified copy.
• Social Security Number. Know the Social Security Number for each applicant. Non-U.S. residents should bring identification from the country in which they are a citizen. They will also need to obtain a letter from a local Social Security Office verifying the status of their social security number.

• Money. Bring your application fee in cash (approximately $30, with additional fees for Saturday). 

Get Married!

All that’s left at this point is to lean into all of the love and joy of your wedding day festivities—from here on out, your Idaho marriage license is the responsibility of your officiant, who can be an authorized judge, member of the clergy or other designated official. 

Once your vows have been exchanged, your officiant willfill in the remaining portion of the marriage license and return the appropriate copy to the Recorder’s Office within 30 days of your wedding date, in person or by mail.