Marriage License Discount for Premarital Counseling

Six states currently offer discounts on marriage license fees for couples who complete premarital counseling: Florida (~$33 off), Texas ($60 off), Minnesota ($75 off), Georgia ($16–50 off), Maryland (varies by county), and Utah ($20 off via MED program). Florida, Texas, and Minnesota also waive mandatory waiting periods.

People sometimes say marriage certificate discount, but the savings apply to the marriage license fee. To save money on your marriage license, complete a qualifying premarital counseling program, receive a certificate of completion, and present it when you apply at the county clerk's office. Program length and provider requirements vary by state.

Requirements vary: Florida requires 4 hours, Texas requires 8 hours (Twogether in Texas program), Minnesota requires 12 hours, Utah requires 6 hours of education or 3 hours of counseling, and most other states require 4-6 hours. Check your specific state requirements.

It depends on the state. Florida, Maryland, and several others accept online programs as long as the provider is licensed and meets the minimum hour requirement. Some states require in-person sessions. Check your state's specific requirements or ask your counselor before enrolling in an online program.

Most states require the counselor to be licensed (LMFT, LPC, LCSW, psychologist) or ordained clergy. Some states like Texas have specific approved programs (Twogether in Texas), and Utah maintains a list of MED-approved educators. Your counselor should know if they're qualified to issue the certificate in your state.

Validity periods vary by state. Texas and Georgia certificates are valid for 1 year, Utah's MED certificate is valid for 1 year, and other states may have different timeframes. Complete counseling close to your wedding date to ensure the certificate is still valid when you apply for your license.

Yes. All states that offer marriage license discounts require both partners to attend and complete the premarital counseling program together. The certificate of completion is issued to the couple, not to an individual.

If your certificate has expired, you will need to complete the premarital counseling program again to receive a new certificate. To avoid this, time your counseling so the certificate is still valid when you plan to apply for your marriage license — most couples complete counseling 2–6 months before their wedding.

Currently six states offer a direct fee reduction on your marriage license for completing premarital counseling: Florida, Texas, Minnesota, Georgia, Maryland, and Utah. South Carolina offers a $50 state income tax credit instead of a direct fee reduction. If your state isn't listed, premarital counseling is still a worthwhile investment, just without the license fee discount.