Connecticut Marriage Laws | § 46b-24

General Statutes of Connecticut 46b-24

License. Period of validity. Penalty for solemnization without license. Validity of marriage ceremony.

(a) Except as provided in section 46b-28a, no persons may be joined in marriage in this state until both have complied with the provisions of this section, sections 46b-20a, 46b-25, as amended by this act, and 46b-29 to 46b-33, inclusive, and have been issued a license by the registrar for the town in which the marriage is to be celebrated, which license shall bear the certification of the registrar that the persons named therein have complied with the provisions of said sections.

(b) Such license, when certified by the registrar, is sufficient authority for any person authorized to perform a marriage ceremony in this state to join such persons in marriage, provided the ceremony is performed not sooner than forty-eight hours after the date of application for such license and not later than sixty-five days after the issuance of such license

(c) Any person who joins any other persons in marriage without having received a certified license from such persons shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, in order to be valid in this state, a marriage ceremony shall be conducted by and in the physical presence of a person who is authorized to solemnize marriages in the state.

(1967, P.A. 313, S. 1; P.A. 78-230, S. 5, 54; P.A. 03-188, S. 3; P.A. 07-79, S. 6; P.A. 09-232, S. 73; P.A. 16-66, S. 29; P.A. 17-54, S. 4.); HB05509 Effective Oct 1, 2026

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More Connecticut Marriage Laws

§ 46b-25 Application for license
§ 46b-21 Marriage of persons related by consanguinity or affinity prohibited.
§ 46b-20 Definitions.
§ 46b-24 License. Period of validity. Penalty for solemnization without license. Validity of marriage ceremony.
§ 46b-23 Joining persons in marriage knowingly without authority.
§ 46b-24a Validation of marriages occurring in town other than town where license issued.
§ 46b-28a Recognition of marriages and other relationships entered into in another state or jurisdiction.
§ 46b-28b Recognition by another state or jurisdiction of marriages entered into in this state.
§ 46b-33 Copy of law to applicants.
§ 46b-34 Marriage certificate. Affidavit in lieu of certificate.
§ 46b-35 Certificates prima facie evidence.
§ 46b-28 Validity of marriages celebrated in a foreign country.
§ 46b-35b Effect of marriage equality law on provision of adoption, foster care or social services by religious organization.
§ 46b-22b Refusal to solemnize or participate in ceremony solemnizing a marriage on religious grounds.
§ 46b-29 Marriage of persons under conservatorship.
§ 46b-22 Who may join persons in marriage. Penalty for unauthorized performance.
§ 46b-28c Prior divorce in another state or country. Validity of marriage in this state.
§ 46b-28d Recognition of marriages entered into at Mashantucket Pequot reservation or Mohegan reservation.
§ 46b-35a Refusal to provide services or accommodations related to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage on religious grounds.
§ 46b-20a Eligibility to marry.
§ 46b-22a Validation of marriages performed by unauthorized justice of the peace or family support referee.