How to Get Married in Idaho - Planning a wedding in The Gem State

Planning an Idaho wedding? This short guide will help - from finding an officiant to completing the marriage license. 

 

 

From its unspoiled wilderness to the bustling sidewalks of Boise and Idaho Falls, Idaho offers romantic backdrops of every kind. It's easy to see why this gem of a state is a top destination for weddings. 

 

Applying for a marriage license in this Mountain State will look different in each county, so it’s important to get a head start on the planning process to avoid unnecessary stress. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a short guide to help you begin. 

 

(If you’ve been asked to officiate a wedding in Idaho, scroll down for helpful links.)

 

 

 

 

How to get married in Idaho in 6 Steps 

 

1. Get yourself a sweetheart! 

Got one? Whew! There will be a few more boxes to check, but the hardest part’s over.
 

 

2. Find a wedding officiant in Idaho.

A wedding officiant is the person who conducts your ceremony and signs the marriage license, making things legal. 

 

A friend or relative can perform your wedding ceremony if they’ve been ordained. (Get ordained online for free with AMM.) 

 

• How to Ask Someone to Officiate Your Wedding

 

If you want to hire a professional officiant, the state has many qualified officiants to choose from. The following people are authorized to solemnize marriage in Idaho: 

 

Various judges, justices, and magistrates, the current lieutenant governor, a current mayor, various tribal officials, or a priest or minister of the gospel of any denomination.

 

(Find a complete list of authorized officiants and more Idaho marriage laws here.)

 

3. Choose a date and a venue...

Idaho is home to rugged wilderness, iconic potatoes, and world-class arts and restaurant scenes in cities like Boise, Meridian, and Idaho Falls, making it a favorite for destination weddings. Whether you’re dreaming of a big to-do or a romantic elopement for two -- there’s something for everyone!

 

Popular dates, venues, and officiants book up fast, so start early. And remember you’ll need permission (and a permit) to use a public space, such as a city or state park or recreational area. Permits can take weeks to process, so factor this into your timeline, too. 

 

 

 

4. The marriage license. 

Alright, time to make sure your wedding’s legal! We’ll break down each part of the marriage license process, one step at a time: 

Applying for your license

You’ll apply for your marriage license through the County Recorder Office. Some counties require couples to make an appointment in advance. You don’t need to be an Idaho resident to marry there.

 

Requirements to Apply: 

 

• Both parties must be over the age of 18 or meet the requirements for minors 
• Parties must read an information sheet about AIDS, and sign a Marriage License Affidavit
• Both parties must appear together before the County Recorder 
• Proof of identity and age (such as government-issued photo ID or a birth certificate)
• Social security card, or identification from a party’s country of citizenship, or a letter from the nearest Social Security Office.

If you’re planning a wedding anywhere in Idaho, we recommend contacting the County Recorder closest to your venue to learn more. 

Cost 

The cost of a license in Idaho is about $30. This price varies by county and you may be charged a significant additional fee when applying on a Saturday. Many County Recorders only accept cash, so plan ahead! There’s no fee to register your marriage after the ceremony.

 

Waiting period

There’s no waiting period in Idaho between the time an application is filed and when a license can be used. Same day ceremonies are allowed. 

Using and returning the license

An Idaho marriage license can be used in any county in the state. Although the license doesn’t technically expire, it’s recommended that you use it within 1 year of issuance. If you don’t use your license within 1 year, you'll need to contact the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics. 

 

The license must be signed by the couple and their marriage officiant following the ceremony, and returned to the County Recorder. (We’ll cover this more below.) 

 

The license must be returned within 30 days of the ceremony.

 

 

Get a Bonneville County marriage license in beautiful downtown Idaho Falls. 

 

 

5. Meet with your wedding officiant...

Once you’ve chosen a date, a venue, and have your marriage license details worked out, you’ll be ready to meet with your wedding officiant to plan the ceremony! 

 

Couples: How to Work Best With Your Wedding Officiant

 

This is when things start to come into focus. You’ll talk about the tone of your ceremony, the ‘vibe’ you want to create for your guests, and any special elements and unity rituals you want to include. You and your officiant might meet a few more times to exchange more ideas, fine-tune a script, or rehearse the ceremony leading up to the wedding day. 

 

AMM’s website is full of resources to help you decide what kind of ceremony you want, tips on working well with your officiant, and advice on keeping your ceremony authentic and on budget. 

 

Visit Articles for Couples on our American Weddings blog, or browse general articles by category or keyword. 

 

6. The wedding day! 

Aside from yourselves, the most important thing you’ll bring with you on the wedding day is your marriage license -- because no license means no marriage. Your officiant won’t be able to perform the wedding without having a license present (even if you have it at home), so make sure it’s with you. 

 

After the ceremony, you and your officiant will sign the license. For tips on how to complete the license, head here. 

 

Once it’s signed, you must record it with the local County Recorder within 30 days of the ceremony. Check with your county for details.

 

After it’s been recorded, you’re officially married! 

 

 

Getting married in Ada County? Head to Boise! 

 

 

 

Are you performing a wedding in Idaho? 

 

Visit Weddings by State: Idaho

We’ve got everything you need to understand the state’s licensing and registration requirements, any ministry credentials and paperwork you might need, and helpful tips on how to perform a wedding in several cities in the state.

 

 

 

 

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You might also like: 

 

Idaho Wedding Officiant Training Quiz

 

Three tips for planning a WTF (Wedding That Fits) Wedding Celebration

 

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