A Kootenai County marriage license is issued by the County Recorder’s Office at 451 Government Way in Coeur d’Alene. Both applicants must appear together in person with photo ID, provide Social Security numbers, and pay $31 in cash or $32.78 by card.1Kootenai County. Kootenai County, ID – Marriage Licenses There is no waiting period, the license never expires, and the ceremony can take place anywhere in Idaho.
Who Can Get a License
Both applicants must be at least 18 and currently unmarried. A 16- or 17-year-old can apply only with written, notarized consent from a parent or legal guardian, and cannot marry a partner who is three or more years older. No one under 16 may marry in Idaho under any circumstances.2Idaho State Legislature. Idaho Code Section 32-202 – Persons Who May Marry
Idaho also prohibits marriages between close relatives: parent and child, siblings (including half-siblings), uncle and niece, aunt and nephew, and first cousins. These marriages are void from the start.
Residency is not a factor. You do not need to live in Idaho, let alone in Kootenai County, to apply here. Idaho requires no blood test and no medical screening.
What to Bring
Each applicant needs a government-issued photo ID. A driver’s license or passport works, and Kootenai County accepts expired photo identification as long as the picture still looks like you.1Kootenai County. Kootenai County, ID – Marriage Licenses
Both applicants must provide a Social Security number. If you have never been assigned one, bring three documents: written verification from the Social Security Administration confirming you have no number, a birth certificate or passport issued by a foreign government, and proof of lawful presence in the United States.3Idaho State Legislature. Idaho Code Section 32-403 – Application for and Issuance of License
If either of you was previously married, know the exact date and location that marriage ended, whether by divorce or death. You may not need the decree itself at the counter, but accurate details prevent delays.
How to Apply
Kootenai County asks couples to complete the marriage application online before coming in. The link is on the Recorder’s website.1Kootenai County. Kootenai County, ID – Marriage Licenses Filling it out ahead of time turns your visit into ID verification, payment, and signatures rather than data entry at the counter.
The application asks for full legal names, dates of birth, cities and states of birth, and parent information including a mother’s maiden name. Check every field. A misspelling on a marriage license cannot be scratched out later; correcting it means a formal process through the clerk’s office.
Both applicants must then appear together, in person, at the Kootenai County Recorder’s Office at 451 Government Way in Coeur d’Alene. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.4Kootenai County. Kootenai County, ID – Recorder No appointment is required. Arrive well before closing to be seen the same day.
Fees
The license fee is $31 in cash or $32.78 by credit or debit card.1Kootenai County. Kootenai County, ID – Marriage Licenses The card price includes a processing surcharge, so bring cash if you want to avoid it. The fee covers issuance only. Certified copies of the marriage certificate after the ceremony are charged separately.
No Waiting Period, No Expiration
Idaho sets no waiting period between picking up the license and getting married. You can hold the ceremony the same day. The license also does not expire, so there is no 30-, 60-, or 90-day window to beat. It stays valid indefinitely for the two people named on it.1Kootenai County. Kootenai County, ID – Marriage Licenses
One geographic rule applies: the ceremony must take place within Idaho. A Kootenai County license is not valid for a wedding in Washington, Montana, or any other state. Within Idaho, you can marry anywhere; it does not have to be in Kootenai County.
Who Can Officiate
Idaho Code § 32-303 lists authorized officiants, generally including current and retired judges, magistrates, and ministers or clergy of any denomination. The officiant does not have to be an Idaho resident, and Idaho does not require witnesses at the ceremony.1Kootenai County. Kootenai County, ID – Marriage Licenses
If a friend or family member will officiate, they will likely need ordination through a recognized denomination or organization. Confirm their credentials before the wedding day. Their job does not end at “I do.” They are legally responsible for signing the license and returning it to the Recorder’s Office.
After the Ceremony
The officiant must sign the completed license and return it to the Kootenai County Recorder’s Office within 30 days. This step is not optional. Until the signed license is filed, the marriage is not part of the official record and no certified copies can be issued. If your officiant lives out of the area, make sure they have the Recorder’s mailing address and understand the deadline.
Once the license is filed and recorded, you can request certified copies of the marriage certificate from the Recorder’s Office. You will need these for name changes, insurance updates, and other legal purposes. A commemorative certificate signed by the officiant is a keepsake only; government agencies and financial institutions accept the certified county copy.