It’s Not Just Weddings, Marriage License Costs Are Going Up Too

Published Tuesday, Jul. 8th, 2025

Marriage license fees are rising across the US, adding to the cost of getting married in 2025, even for elopements and courthouse weddings. Here's what couples need to know!

newlyweds sign the marriage license with help from their wedding officiant — (Photo by Brian Matangelo on Unsplash)

The cost of a marriage license is going up around the country

We hear a lot about the rising cost of weddings, but getting married might be more expensive for couples who head to the courthouse or elope this year too, as several states increase the cost of a marriage license.

Currently, the average cost of a marriage license is about $65, but this varies widely by state and is trending up. Here’s a glimpse of how much engaged couples in a few states can expect to pay when they apply for a marriage license this year:

In New Mexico, the cost of a marriage license more than doubled earlier this year, increasing from $25 to $55.

In Minnesota, the cost of a marriage license increased from $115 to $125 this month.

In Washington State, the price of a marriage license will increase a whopping $100 in late July – from $69 to $169 in King County, and from $72 to $172 in Pierce County.

And legislation introduced this month in Michigan would raise the cost of a marriage license this year from $20 to $50, if passed. (See MI HB4710)

As you can see from just these few examples, many couples on an already-tight budget may pay more to get married this year, even if they don’t have a traditional wedding ceremony.

Can you get a discount on a marriage license?

Some counties and states offer a discounted fee on marriage licenses when a couple completes a state-approved premarital counseling course. Depending on where you marry, this can greatly reduce the cost! In Oklahoma, for example, attending an approved premarital counseling course reduces the cost of a marriage license from $50 to only $5.

Find the cost of a standard or reduced fees for marriage licenses in your state here:

How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?

What do your marriage license fees pay for?

Luckily, your license fees go toward good causes: In addition to covering the necessary administrative costs of processing and filing your marriage documents, marriage license fees often support essential state programs like domestic violence shelters and child abuse prevention.

For example, the $100 increase in Washington State mentioned above will be spent to support domestic violence programs in counties throughout the state. In New Mexico, $20 from each marriage license sold is now allocated to the state’s Children's Trust Fund for child abuse prevention. And in Michigan, almost half of the fee is distributed to domestic violence and child abuse family counseling services.

Knowing that your marriage license money is going to a good cause might help take the sting out of a price hike, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s more expensive to get married this year. Check out the helpful articles linked below to save money on your special day.

Consider these options to save money when getting married this year

You can't get married without a marriage license, but there are other easy ways to save money on the wedding day. Click the links below for helpful ideas and inspiration.

Can’t Afford a Wedding? How to Get Married for (Almost) Free

Plan an Affordable & Intimate Wedding by Asking a Friend to Officiate!

Having a friend officiate your wedding is a simple way to save money and create an intimate experience on the wedding day. And it's easy to do: Ask your friend to complete our online ordination application to get started.

AMM's online minister application is free and only takes a few seconds to fill out! Click the link below to begin.

|* ordination-button *|

American Marriage Ministries ordains people from all faiths, backgrounds, and walks of life, including secular and nonreligious officiants. We are proudly and wholeheartedly LGBTQIA+ inclusive.

Friends stand outside during a wedding ceremony