How to Fill out an Arkansas Marriage License with Examples & FAQs

Asked to officiate a wedding in Arkansas? Getting married in Arkansas? Whether you're a new wedding officiant or soon to be newlyweds, here’s everything you need to know about the marriage license process, including cost, waiting period, and – most importantly – how to fill out an Arkansas marriage license correctly the first time. 

 

We hear those wedding bells ringing, so let’s get started! 

 

How to Fill Out Arkansas Marriage License: Example & FAQs

 

1. How to Fill Out an Arkansas Marriage License (for the Officiant)

 

In Arkansas, it’s the couple’s responsibility to purchase the marriage license before the wedding day. After the wedding, it’s the officiant’s responsibility to complete and sign the portion of the license labeled "Certificate of Marriage," and then hand it back to the newlyweds. The couple returns the license to the clerk's office where it was issued.

There are two types of marriage licenses available in Arkansas: a covenant marriage licence and a standard marriage license. We discuss both in this guide.

When the couple hands you the license, you’ll see several empty spaces that need to be filled out. You’ll see space to write in your name, the name of the county where you registered your minister credentials, and the date of the wedding, along with other important details.

 

Before you grab your pen and sign your name, we recommend you read all the suggestions below, and check out the sample license provided. 

 

Learn More: 5 Steps To Officiating Weddings in Arkansas

 

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Here are a few pointers from an Arkansas County Clerk to help you get started:

 

• You must record your minister credentials with the local government before officiating a wedding. The clerk will give you a Record Book and Page number. You will write these numbers on the marriage license, along with the name of the county where you filed your credentials, in the appropriate spaces: 

 

“My Credentials recorded in Book ____, Page ____, in (County Name), Arkansas”

 

• Use a black ink pen or a typewriter. Print all your answers legibly (no cursive except for signatures)

 

• Standard marriage licenses and covenant marriage licenses look the same, and you will complete them in the same way. There is no additional paperwork for the officiant to complete when performing a covenant marriage (all special paperwork is handled by the couple and a notary when they apply).

 

• In the first space marked “State of Arkansas, County of ____”, write the name of the county where the marriage ceremony was performed. 

 

If you aren’t sure which county you’re in, ask the venue owner or enter the venue address in the USPS county-locator using this advice: How to Find Out What County a Wedding Venue is In 

 

• In the space marked “Title,” write “Minister” if you are ordained with American Marriage Ministries.

 

• The couple must return the completed license to the clerk’s office. The officiant cannot legally return it, so be sure to give the couple the license after you sign it.

 

• The license must be returned by the couple within 60 days of when it was issued, to the clerk's office that issued it. This due date is determined by the issuance date, not by when the wedding takes place. The license must be returned even if the wedding doesn’t take place, or the couple will be fined.

 

• The marriage license might use old legal language that hasn’t been updated in a long time. It might say:

 

“I did duly and according to law as commanded in the foregoing License solemnize the rite and publish the banns of Matrimony between the parties therein named.”  

 

The state law does not clearly explain these old terms for modern times. In general language, you can view this sentence as saying that you, the officiant: have the authority to perform a wedding in Arkansas; performed the marriage ceremony with the couple; and declared the couple married (the “pronouncement”). If you’ve done those things, you can sign this document with confidence.

 

Related: Want to see where the phrase “publishing the banns” comes from? Read: A Short History of the Marriage License & Common Law Marriages

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2. Arkansas Marriage License Example

 

Below is a sample portion of a Benton County marriage license with the appropriate sections labeled for the officiant to sign, provided to AMM by the Benton County Clerk Office. Your license may look slightly different depending on where in the state you apply, but this sample will give you a general idea of what to expect. (This image is only for educational purposes.)

In the sample marriage license above, the sections are labeled to help you understand which details to provide. Print (no cursive) or type your answers in black ink. If you have any questions, contact the issuing clerk's office for help.

 

 

3. How to Fix a Mistake on an Arkansas Marriage License

 

If you make a mistake on a marriage license, bring the paperwork back to the clerk’s office where it was issued. They'll be able to tell you the next steps to take, or provide the couple with a new license to complete. 
 
Each county may have different steps to take to correct various types of errors, so we recommend you contact the clerk’s office directly with your questions. This will be the simplest way to handle any issues that come up. 

 

Amend an Arkansas Marriage License

To correct or amend an Arkansas marriage license after it’s been filed, the couple must contact the County or Circuit Clerk’s office where the record was returned and recorded and follow their instructions.

 

 

4. Are Online-Ordained Ministers Recognized in Arkansas to Officiate Weddings?

 

Yes, ministers who are ordained online through a reputable and recognized church, including American Marriage Ministries, can officiate weddings in Arkansas and sign the marriage license.

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After you get ordained, you must register your credentials with the clerk’s office before performing your first wedding. 

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Remember: Some online churches may not be recognized in Arkansas. If your officiant is ordained online with a church other than American Marriage Ministries, it’s important to verify their minister credentials before they perform your wedding ceremony: 

 

• How to Tell if Your Officiant Can Perform a Legal Wedding
• Cómo Saber si su Oficiante Puede Realizar una Boda Legal

 

 

5.  How Much is a Marriage License in Arkansas? (Cost)

 

Marriage license fees may vary slightly by county, averaging around $60 for both standard and covenant marriage licenses. For the most current Arkansas marriage license cost, click the link below, or contact your local clerk’s office: 
 

• How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?

 

 

6. How Long Does it Take to Get a Marriage License in Arkansas? (Waiting Period)

The amount of time you spend in the clerk’s office will vary depending on where you apply for your license. But because there’s no waiting period in Arkansas for adults (18 years old or older), most couples can apply for a marriage license and use it on the same day. If you’re under 18 years old, however, there is a mandatory 5-day waiting period before using your license.

If you plan to apply for a covenant marriage license, you must complete the required premarital counseling before applying for your license. While there are no set number of hours to complete, the legally mandated topics may take a few months to discuss. You should factor this requirement into your planning timeline. Once your counseling is complete, there is no additional waiting period compared to a standard marriage license.

 

 

7. How Long is a Marriage License Good for in Arkansas?

 

How long a marriage license is valid in each state is called the “expiration period.” This is the number of days or months your license is “good for,” or the amount of time you have to use your license after it’s issued. Your ceremony must take place within this timeframe. To see the current Arkansas marriage license expiration period, click the link below: 

 

• Marriage License Waiting Period, Expiration, and Return 

 

 

8. How Do I Get a Copy of My Marriage License in Arkansas?

 

You can purchase a copy of your marriage license in minutes using the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records Online Service. 

If you’d rather order a copy by mail, over the phone, or in person, simple instructions for these methods are available online at Arkansas Department of Health: Order Marriage Records.

If you need a replacement copy of a damaged or misplaced marriage license before it’s been filed, contact the issuing office directly for next steps. 
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Best Places to Get Married in Arkansas: Custom City Guides for Officiants & Couples Planning an Arkansas Wedding!

 

Click the following links for city-specific information on getting married in these popular Arkansas wedding destinations. Read advice for first-time officiants performing a wedding, where to apply for your marriage license, popular wedding venues, and tips on weather, wedding transportation, and much more. 

 

► Get Married in Eureka Springs: Learn How to Officiate a Wedding in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Plus Wedding Venues & Advice for Couples)

 

► Get Married in Fayetteville: Learn How to Officiate a Wedding in Fayetteville, Arkansas (Plus Wedding Venues & Advice for Couples)

 

► Get Married in Hot Springs: How to Officiate a Wedding in Hot Springs, Arkansas (Plus Wedding Venues & Advice for Couples)

 

► Get Married in Little Rock: How to Officiate a Wedding in Little Rock, Arkansas (Plus Wedding Venues & Advice for Couples)

 

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Explore More Arkansas Wedding Ideas & Inspiration from AMM

 

• How to Officiate a Wedding For the First Time
   
• How Much Does it Cost to Get Ordained Online in Arkansas to Officiate a Wedding?
   
• Get Married in one of the 10 Most Haunted Wedding Venues in the U.S.
   
• How to Get Married in Arkansas - Planning a wedding in The Natural State
   

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