Process for Obtaining an Oklahoma Marriage License

Before you even begin, take note – it is good to know about current Oklahoma marriage license requirements, but it is best to check the regulations at the time you are applying. This is because they may change from time to time. So it is best to verify everything from the issuing county court when you are actually submitting your application.

In most states, you would be well advised to apply for a marriage license about a month before the wedding date you have set. In Oklahoma, applying early does not necessarily count. You need to have all your other pre-wedding arrangements timed perfectly. This is because the Oklahoma marriage license has a very short validity period of just 10 days. Predictably, it can be used only within the State of Oklahoma.

Marriage License Regulations in Oklahoma

As with every other state, Oklahoma needs some proof of identity and age before the license can be issued. A certified birth certificate, a valid passport or driver’s license, and Social Security number should suffice.

The state does not require you to be resident of Oklahoma though. Out-of-state applicants are also eligible for a marriage license and certificate in Oklahoma.

If either of you has been previously married, you need to produce a certified copy of the divorce decree or a certified copy of the deceased spouse's death certificate.

You and your spouse-to-be must both appear together when you are applying for the marriage license. Do also remember that you must have a witness present when you sign the license application. Most couples bring along the maid of honor or the best man for this job. That should be highly convenient because, in the absence of any waiting period under Oklahoma law, you can start your wedding ceremony the moment your license comes into your hand.

The would-be bride can mention in the license application what married name she will use, and the name she specifies will appear on the marriage certificate.

The Oklahoma marriage license fee is $50 – payable by cash or money order only. You can however reduce this fee to just $5 for a license. For this, you need to take a premarital counseling course that is conducted by a health professional or an official representative of a religious institution. This premarital counseling course is designed to give the intending spouses a short and basic course of training in the responsibilities of married life – the communication, conflict resolution, financial management, parenting and other important issues involved.

The idea is to get the prospective couples to prepare themselves so that they can cope with the obligations and pressures of married life before they actually tie the knot. Its objective is perfectly laudable – to strengthen the institution of marriage. It is hoped the people concerned will be better motivated and equipped to preserve their marriage, rather than contribute to disastrous divorce statistics. Unlike Georgia and some other states in the country that also have such a program offering, Oklahoma has not yet stipulated any time frame within which applicants must take the program or that a certificate of completion must be submitted to a court.

The state does not require blood or any other types of tests as a condition for issuing a marriage license.

Oklahoma does not permit proxy marriages – both the parties must be present. The state also does not permit common law marriage or marriage between cousins. Same-sex marriages are not considered valid and are not allowed.

In the context of marriageable age, the state obviously permits adults above the age of 18 years to apply for a marriage license. For those under 18, it requires that parents appear at the courthouse along with the intending couple, and sign a consent form. But unlike some other states, Oklahoma has not even introduced procedure for specific age groups under 18. Those who are minors must wait for 3 days before an Oklahoma marriage license is valid.

The Oklahoma marriage license is of course not proof of marriage. It only provides initial sanction to conduct the ceremony and the process of registration. Ordained ministers of the church of any denomination who are at least 18 years of age may perform marriages in the state. Before conducting the proceedings, they must file a copy of their credentials with the County Clerk. Following the wedding ceremony, they must complete a certificate of marriage and return it to the clerk or judge who issued the marriage license. Civil ceremonies in Oklahoma can also be performed by federal, probate, district or municipal judges, in their jurisdictional areas.