Getting married is exciting. But before you say “I do,” there are rules you need to follow. Connecticut has specific laws about who can get married, how to get a license, and who can perform the ceremony.
Miss any of these steps and your marriage might not be legal. Don’t worry, though. This guide breaks it all down in plain English.
What Is a Legal Marriage in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, marriage is defined as a legal union between two people. That’s it. The state does not care about gender, religion, or background. What it does care about is that you follow the proper legal steps.
You’re not alone if this feels overwhelming. Most people don’t realize how specific the rules are until they start planning. Let me walk you through everything.
Basic Marriage Requirements
Who Can Get Married in Connecticut?
Connecticut has clear rules about who is allowed to marry. First, you must be at least 18 years old. Second, you cannot already be married to someone else.
You also cannot be under the supervision of a conservator unless that conservator gives written permission. A conservator is a person appointed by a court to manage someone’s affairs.
Wondering if your past relationship affects your eligibility? It might. You are not eligible to marry if you are a party to another marriage or a relationship that provides substantially the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, entered into in this state or another state. So if you were in a civil union or domestic partnership, sort that out first.
Who Cannot Marry Whom?
This part is important. Connecticut bans marriage between close relatives. No person may marry their parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, parent’s sibling, sibling’s child, stepparent, or stepchild. Any marriage within these degrees is void.
Here’s a big update. Connecticut instituted a ban on first cousins marrying, effective October 1, 2025. So if you and your first cousin were thinking about getting married, that is now illegal in Connecticut.
The law does not restrict or penalize first-cousin couples who wed before the ban became law. Those marriages are still valid.
Hold on, this part is important. First-cousin marriage is still legal in 15 other states. But if you are getting married in Connecticut, the answer is no, full stop.
The Marriage License: What You Need to Know
How to Apply for a License
Pretty much every marriage in Connecticut starts with a marriage license. You cannot skip this step.
If you are planning to marry in Connecticut, you must obtain a marriage license from the vital records office of the town where the marriage will take place. Note that word: “town.” Not any town. The specific town where your ceremony happens.
Both parties must appear in person to be sworn in and sign the marriage license. You must apply in the town where the ceremony will be performed. You also need to bring valid government-issued photo identification.
So simple! Both of you show up, bring your ID, and fill out the paperwork together. You can also apply separately if needed. If you do that, the license is issued to whoever comes in last, and the 65-day clock starts from that date.
How Much Does It Cost?
A $50 fee is charged for the marriage license, which is non-refundable. It is a good idea to call your town clerk ahead of time to ask whether they accept cash, check, or card.
How Long Is the License Valid?
The license is valid for 65 days from the date of signing. That gives you about two months to hold your ceremony. If you miss that window, you have to start over and pay the fee again.
There is also no waiting period in Connecticut. The post-license waiting period is set by statute: none. So technically, you could get the license and get married the same day.
Do You Need a Blood Test?
Nope. You no longer need to have a blood test to obtain a marriage license in Connecticut. That used to be a requirement in many states. Not anymore.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony?
Okay, this one surprises a lot of people. Not just anyone can legally marry you.
Authorized officiants are: all judges, including out-of-state judges who are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in their jurisdictions; family support magistrates, state referees and justices of the peace who are appointed in Connecticut; and all ordained or licensed members of the clergy, belonging to this state or any other state.
Wait, it gets better. Persons ordained online and who are given the authority to officiate marriages through such ordination do meet the statutory requirements. That means a friend or family member can get ordained online and legally marry you in Connecticut.
Makes sense, right? Connecticut keeps things pretty flexible here.
One thing to note: it is illegal for an officiant to perform a marriage ceremony for a couple who does not have a valid marriage license. Officiants who break this law can be fined up to $100.
After the ceremony, your officiant is responsible for returning the completed license to the town clerk’s office. They do not hand it back to you. This is a legal requirement, and it must be done promptly.
Does Connecticut Recognize Common-Law Marriage?
A friend asked me about this last week. Turns out, most people get it wrong.
Connecticut law does not recognize common-law marriages. That means no matter how long you live with a partner, you are not legally married in Connecticut just because of time spent together.
No matter how long people live together, there is no common-law marriage in Connecticut. It is a common misconception that if unmarried couples reside together for a long enough period of time, they become married. They do not.
Honestly, this is the part most people miss. If you are not legally married, you do not automatically share property rights, inheritance rights, or the ability to make medical decisions for each other.
There is one narrow exception. When determining whether a marriage is valid, Connecticut’s marriage laws look to the law of the state in which the relationship began. If romantic partners began and established a common-law marriage in a state that recognizes it, that marriage will be recognized in Connecticut.
So if you started a common-law marriage in Texas and then moved to Connecticut, Connecticut will honor it.
What About Marriages from Other States or Countries?
Good news here. A marriage between two persons entered into in another state or jurisdiction and recognized as valid by such other state or jurisdiction shall be recognized as a valid marriage in Connecticut, provided such marriage or relationship is not expressly prohibited by statute in this state.
So if you got married in Hawaii or France, Connecticut will recognize it as long as it meets Connecticut’s basic rules (no close relatives, both adults, etc.).
Recent Changes to Connecticut Marriage Law
Connecticut has made some notable updates in recent years. Pay attention here.
The biggest recent change is the first-cousin marriage ban. Starting October 1, 2025, you can no longer marry your first cousin in Connecticut. Governor Ned Lamont signed the bill into law on June 23, 2025.
Another major change happened in 2023. Connecticut lawmakers voted to prohibit anyone under age 18 from being issued a marriage license under any circumstance. This was an update to a 2017 law that advocates said had loopholes allowing minors to be coerced into marriage.
Previously, a 16- or 17-year-old could get a marriage license if their local probate court judge approved a petition filed on the minor’s behalf by their parent or guardian. That is no longer allowed. The minimum age is now 18, period. No exceptions.
Personally, I think both of these changes make sense. They close loopholes and protect people who might be vulnerable.
How to Get Your Marriage Certificate
After your ceremony, the officiant submits the license to the registrar. Once registered, the marriage license becomes a vital record and is referred to as a marriage certificate.
You will want a certified copy of this document. You will need it for things like changing your name, updating your Social Security record, and handling insurance or bank accounts.
To get a certified copy, contact the town clerk’s office where your marriage took place. There is usually a small fee per copy.
How to Report a Problem
If you believe a marriage was performed illegally or without a valid license, you can report it to your local town clerk’s office or the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s Vital Records division.
If coercion, fraud, or abuse is involved, contact local law enforcement or the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence at 1-888-774-2900.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both people need to appear in person to get the license?
Yes. Both parties must appear in person at the town clerk’s office and sign the marriage license in front of a clerk.
Can I get my marriage license in a different town from where I live?
Yes. You apply for the license in the town where the ceremony will take place, not where you live. There are no residency requirements.
Can a friend who got ordained online legally marry us in Connecticut?
Yes. Online ordinations are recognized in Connecticut. Your friend just needs to make sure they are properly ordained and know how to correctly complete and return the license.
Is there a waiting period after getting the marriage license?
No. Connecticut has no waiting period. You can get married the same day you receive your license if you choose.
What happens if my marriage license expires before the ceremony?
You would need to reapply and pay the $50 fee again. Plan ahead so this does not happen.
Does Connecticut recognize same-sex marriages?
Yes. Connecticut has recognized same-sex marriage since 2008, following the state Supreme Court ruling in Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health. All marriages in Connecticut are between “two persons,” regardless of gender.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the basics. Connecticut’s marriage laws are pretty straightforward once you break them down. Get your license in the right town, make sure you are both 18 or older, choose a legal officiant, and have your ceremony within 65 days.
Stay informed, especially since a few laws have changed recently. If anything in your situation feels complicated, talking to a family law attorney for even one hour can save you a lot of headaches later.
Congratulations in advance. You’ve got this.
