To be married, you must obtain a marriage license from the County Recorder before the wedding ceremony.
Prior to coming in to pick up your marriage license, please fill out the marriage license application. Couples are welcome to schedule an appointment to come in and pick up their license or they are able to walk in; our office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We recommend that couples arrive by 4:45 pm to ensure they are able to be assisted prior to 5:00 pm. Scheduling an appointment for our office does not mean you will be married at that time.
Courthouse ceremonies are available based on the Judge’s calendars; there is no guarantee that a judge will be able to perform your ceremony on a walk-in basis. If you are interested in having a Judge perform your ceremony, please reach out to [email protected] to have a current list of judges sent to you.
Location
Licenses are issued from the Recorder’s Office, located on the 1st floor of the Ada County Courthouse, 200 W Front St., Room 1207, Boise, ID 83702. Our office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, excluding all federal holidays.
Both Parties Must Appear
To obtain a marriage license, both applicants must appear together before the deputy clerk.
Please note: a dual step license will require two separate appearances in our office.
Fee
The license fee of $30.00 can be paid by credit/debit card, cash or a check made payable to the Ada County Recorder. An additional service fee will apply to credit/debit card transactions.
Government Issued ID
Both applicants need to have a non-expired government issued, photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) in order to sign the Marriage License Affidavit.
Social Security Number
Both applicants will need their social security number. If either applicant does not have a social security number, you will need to obtain a letter from the social security office before applying for a marriage license. If an applicant has a letter stating that a social security number is being issued, you will need to wait until you can provide that information. For a marriage license to be issued, letters of denial must accompany a valid, non-expired passport, and show proof of entry.
Important note for processing copies after wedding ceremony:
Completed marriage licenses should be returned to our office using the provided mailing envelope. Certified copies will be mailed to the address on file. Applicants will receive one certified copy of their marriage license. Additional copies can be purchased from the Recorder’s Office for $2.00 each.
Do you accept a credit/debit card?
Yes, debit/credit cards are accepted, along with cash or check. An additional service fee will apply to credit/debit card transactions.
Do I need to be a resident of Idaho to obtain a marriage license?
No; however, with an Idaho State Marriage License, you must get married in Idaho.
Is there a waiting period before using the license?
No, you may get married the same day.
When we receive the marriage license, are we married?
No, an authorized clergy member, judge, or other designated official, like a mayor or the governor, must perform the ceremony.
Are marriage ceremonies performed in the clerk’s office?
No, you may contact a judge to make an appointment for the same day you pick up your marriage license or for a future date. A list of judges is available at our office.
Who is authorized to perform a marriage ceremony in Idaho?
In Idaho, a wedding officiant must be authorized under Idaho Code Section 32-303. Authorized individuals include:
- Justice of the Supreme Court (current and retired)
- Appeals Judge (current and retired)
- District Judge (current and retired)
- Governor (current and former)
- Magistrate of the District Court (current and retired)
- Idaho Mayors (current)
- Federal Judge (current)
- Tribal Judge (current)
- Lieutenant Governor (current)
- A Priest or Minister of the Gospel of any denomination or faith
Is my last name automatically changed after the ceremony?
No, you must present a certified copy of your marriage license to both the Social Security Office and the Department of Motor Vehicles. A certified copy of your marriage license will be mailed to your current address after the Recorder’s Office receives the completed marriage license.
When will the marriage license expire?
There is no expiration date on your marriage license. If a completed marriage license has not been returned to the Recorder’s Office within a year of your date of marriage, please contact Vital Statistics at (208) 334-5980. There will be additional steps and fees from the State.
What if an applicant is not 18 years old?
Applicants who are 16 or 17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (legal guardians must supply a certified copy of their appointment of guardianship). The applicant must present the following:
- Original birth certificate or certified copy
- Current driver’s license, passport or state ID card
A parent or legal guardian must complete the following:
- Affidavit of Consent to Marriage of Minor
Parents or legal guardian must present a State or Federally issued picture ID for notarizing the affidavit when signing it.
Anyone who is younger than 16 years old may not obtain a marriage license.
Per Idaho Code, a marriage may not take place when one of the applicants is under the age of 18 and the applicants are more than three years apart in age.
What is required if one party is incarcerated?
If one of the individuals applying for a marriage license is currently incarcerated, obtaining a license becomes a multi-day, two-step process. You will not leave with a marriage license after your first visit.
The first step is obtaining all the needed information for the license from the person who is incarcerated, including birth date, city and state of birth, full legal name, and social security number. Once you have that information, the marriage application can be started.
After all information is entered for both parties, an affidavit will be printed. The available party will sign the document but it then must be taken to the person who is incarcerated to be signed and notarized. In addition, an HIV/AIDS pamphlet will be given to them and the signature page must be returned with the affidavit.
The completed forms (affidavit and notary jurat) must be returned by the non-incarcerated applicant to the Recorders Office to finish the marriage license.
When the signed forms are returned, the $30.00 cash fee will be collected and the license will be issued.
Can a marriage license be issued to a dual incarcerated or dual military (not in Idaho) applicants?
Yes. A marriage license may be issued to dual incarcerated or dual military (not in Idaho) applicants. This process will be similar to the format outlined for a single party incarcerated or military applicant but requires a third party to bring the needed information to both applicants to be signed and notarized. The third party will need to be 18 years of age or older and provide state or federally issued photo identification. The identification for the third party will be verified both times so that we can confirm who is being given all documents. The third party will be responsible for paying the $30.00 fee for the marriage license and will be responsible to bring the marriage license to one of the applicants.
Although a marriage license is issued, State law does not recognize telephonic or video marriage as a valid marriage ceremony. Additionally, if the applicants are not married in the State of Idaho (with both applicants in State), an Idaho marriage license is not valid.
What is the process if English is not the applicant’s primary language?
If either applicant requires the assistance of a translator, please contact the Recorder’s Office prior to your visit. A court-approved translator will be provided through scheduled appointments only. A court-approved translator is necessary as applicants are required to provide specific information and sign a legal affidavit.
If required documentation (such as a birth certificate for any applicant under the age of 18) is submitted in a language other than English, a translator will be required. The court-appointed translator will provide the Recorder’s Office the parent(s) name(s), applicant name, and date of birth. An original birth certificate or certified copy is required for the translator to read over.
How do I obtain copies of a marriage license?
Marriage licenses issued in Ada County can be requested by submitting a public records request form and a fee of $2, payable in cash or check. Please provide the full names of the applicants (maiden name if applicable) and the exact year the marriage license was issued.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Recorder’s Office at (208) 287-6840 or by email at [email protected].
You must complete the online marriage license application prior to coming into the Recorder’s Office to pick up your marriage license. Please see the “Marriage License Information” section of this page for requirements and fees. Once you fill out the online application, visit the Ada County Clerk’s Office to verify your identity and pay for the license. We accept payments by credit/debit card, cash or check. An additional service fee will apply to credit/debit card transactions.