To get married at the courthouse in Idaho, both partners go together to any county recorder’s office, apply for a marriage license with photo ID and Social Security numbers, pay about $30, and then have a magistrate judge perform a brief ceremony. There is no waiting period and no blood test, so the license and the ceremony can happen on the same day if a judge is available.
Who Can Marry in Idaho
Both partners must be at least 18 to marry on their own. A 16- or 17-year-old may marry only with written parental or guardian consent, only if the age gap between the partners is less than three years, and only after presenting an original or certified birth certificate. No one under 16 may marry in Idaho.1Idaho State Legislature. Idaho Code Title 32 Chapter 2 Section 32-202 – Persons Who May Marry
Idaho prohibits marriage between close blood relatives, including parents and children, siblings and half-siblings, and uncles or aunts with nieces or nephews.2Idaho State Legislature. Idaho Code Title 32 Chapter 2 Section 32-205 – Incestuous Marriages First cousins may not marry either.3Idaho State Legislature. Idaho Code Title 32 Chapter 2 Section 32-206 – Marriages Between First Cousins
You do not have to be an Idaho resident to get a license here, but the ceremony must take place within the state.4Kootenai County, ID. Marriage Licenses
One boundary worth flagging: Idaho abolished common-law marriage effective January 1, 1996. Living together and calling yourselves married is not enough. You need the license and the ceremony. Common-law marriages established before that date remain valid.
Getting the Marriage License
Both partners must appear in person, together, at any county recorder’s office in Idaho. Bring:
- A valid photo ID for each person, such as a driver’s license or passport
- Each partner’s Social Security number
- Payment for the license fee, typically $30
If an applicant has never been issued a Social Security number, they must bring written verification of that fact from the Social Security Administration, along with a birth certificate or passport and proof of lawful U.S. presence.5Blaine County, ID. Marriage License
The application asks for each partner’s full name, place of residence, and their parents’ full names and birthplaces. If either partner was previously married, be ready to provide the date and how the prior marriage ended: divorce, annulment, or death of a spouse. Errors on the form can cause delays, so fill it out carefully.
Payment rules vary. Some counties take only cash; others accept checks or credit cards, sometimes with a service fee on card transactions.6Ada County Clerk. Marriage License In Twin Falls County, the $30 fee includes one certified copy of the recorded license.7Twin Falls County. Marriage Licenses – Twin Falls County Cash is the safest bet if you want to avoid surprises.
Idaho requires no waiting period, no blood test, and no medical exam. The clerk hands you the license on the spot. It has no expiration date and is valid for a ceremony held anywhere in Idaho. The license alone does not make you married. An authorized officiant has to perform the ceremony.7Twin Falls County. Marriage Licenses – Twin Falls County
Scheduling a Magistrate Judge
The recorder’s office issues the license but does not perform ceremonies. For a courthouse wedding, you will typically work with a magistrate judge. Idaho law also authorizes district judges, appellate justices, and qualifying retired judges to solemnize marriages.8Idaho State Legislature. Idaho Code Title 32 Chapter 3 Section 32-303 – By Whom Solemnized
Call the judge’s chambers directly to schedule. Many courthouses perform ceremonies only on certain days or during set hours, so a walk-in is not guaranteed. Expect a small fee for the ceremony itself, often somewhere around $25 to $50, though the amount varies.
What Happens at the Ceremony
Before starting, the officiant must examine your license and verify the identity, full names, and residence of both partners. If either partner is a minor, the officiant must also confirm that parental consent was properly given.9Idaho State Legislature. Idaho Code Title 32 Chapter 3 Section 32-302 – Duty of Person Officiating
Idaho does not require witnesses. Multiple counties confirm this explicitly.4Kootenai County, ID. Marriage Licenses You can bring family or friends if you want, but you will not need to recruit strangers from the hallway.
The ceremony is short. The judge guides you through vows, you exchange them, and the officiant signs the certificate. Five to ten minutes, usually. Afterward, the officiant keeps the copy that will be filed with the county, and you receive a ceremonial copy. That ceremonial copy has no legal weight. The filed copy is what creates the official record.5Blaine County, ID. Marriage License
Filing and Certified Copies
The officiant, not the couple, is legally responsible for returning the signed license and certificate to the county recorder’s office that issued it. This must happen within 30 days of the ceremony. An officiant who fails to file on time commits a misdemeanor and faces a fine between $20 and $50.10Idaho State Legislature. Idaho Code Title 32 Chapter 4 Section 32-402 – Certificate and Return
Even though filing is the officiant’s job, follow up. If the license never gets recorded, proving the marriage later becomes a headache when you need it for insurance, taxes, or a name change. A quick call to the recorder’s office a week or two after the ceremony confirms it went through.
Once the license is on file, you can request certified copies of the marriage certificate from the recorder’s office. These typically cost about $2 each.5Blaine County, ID. Marriage License Order several while you are there. You will need them for a name change, insurance enrollment, and other updates that ask for original documentation rather than photocopies.