Premarital Counseling Requirements by State

Compare marriage license fees, waiting periods, and premarital counseling discounts across all 50 states. 10 states currently offer fee reductions for couples who complete a premarital education program.

States With Discount

Covenant Marriage States

States With Waiting Period

$75

Max Savings

Filter:51 states

State	License Fee	Waiting Period	Discount	Hours Req.	Details
Alabama	$70	None	—	—	View
Alaska	$60	3 business days	—	—	View
ArizonaCovenant	$83	None	—	—	View
ArkansasCovenant	$60	None	—	—	View
California	$90	None	—	—	View
Colorado	$30	None	—	—	View
Connecticut	$50	None	—	—	View
Delaware	$75	24 hours	—	—	View
District of Columbia	$45	None	—	—	View
Florida	$93.50	3 days (waived with premarital course)	$25	4 hrs	View
Georgia	$66	None	Fee waived	6 hrs	View
Hawaii	$60	None	—	—	View
Idaho	$30	None	—	—	View
Illinois	$60	1 day	—	—	View
Indiana	$18–$25	None	—	—	View
Iowa	$35	3 business days	—	—	View
Kansas	$85.50	3 business days	—	—	View
Kentucky	$35.50	None	—	—	View
LouisianaCovenant	$27.50	24 hours	—	—	View
Maine	$40	None	—	—	View
Maryland	$55	2 days	$10–$25	4 hrs	View
Massachusetts	$40	3 days	—	—	View
Michigan	$20	3 days	—	—	View
Minnesota	$125	None	$75	12 hrs	View
Mississippi	$25	None	—	—	View
Missouri	$50	None	—	—	View
Montana	$53	None	—	—	View
Nebraska	$25	None	—	—	View
Nevada	$102	None	—	—	View
New Hampshire	$50	None	—	—	View
New Jersey	$28	72 hours	—	—	View
New Mexico	$55	None	—	—	View
New York	$35	24 hours	—	—	View
North Carolina	$60	None	—	—	View
North Dakota	$65	None	—	—	View
Ohio	$50	None	—	—	View
Oklahoma	$50	None	$45	4 hrs	View
Oregon	$60	3 days	—	—	View
Pennsylvania	$65	3 days	—	—	View
Rhode Island	$24	None	—	—	View
South Carolina	$75	24 hours	$50 tax credit	6 hrs	View
South Dakota	$40	None	—	—	View
Tennessee	$99.50	None	$60	4 hrs	View
Texas	$82	72 hours (waivable with premarital course)	$60	8 hrs	View
Utah	$40	None	$20	6 hrs	View
Vermont	$60	None	—	—	View
Virginia	$30	None	—	—	View
Washington	$70	3 days	—	—	View
West Virginia	$56	None	$5–$15	—	View
Wisconsin	$110	3 days	—	—	View
Wyoming	$30	None	—	—	View

States With Premarital Counseling Discounts

These 10 states offer a marriage license fee reduction when couples complete a qualifying premarital education program before their wedding.

Florida

Save $25

Hours required: 4 hours

Statute: FL § 741.0305

License fee: $93.50

Find counselors in Florida

Georgia

Save Fee waived

Hours required: 6 hours

Statute: GA Code § 19-3-30.1

License fee: $66

Find counselors in Georgia

Maryland

Save $10–$25

Hours required: 4 hours

Statute: Varies by county

License fee: $55

Find counselors in Maryland

Minnesota

Save $75

Hours required: 12 hours

Statute: MN § 517.08 Subd. 1b

License fee: $125

Find counselors in Minnesota

Oklahoma

Save $45

Hours required: 4 hours

Statute: OK § 43-5.1

License fee: $50

Find counselors in Oklahoma

South Carolina

Save $50 tax credit

Hours required: 6 hours

Statute: SC Code § 20-1-230

License fee: $75

Find counselors in South Carolina

Tennessee

Save $60

Hours required: 4 hours

Statute: TN Code § 36-3-104

License fee: $99.50

Find counselors in Tennessee

Texas

Save $60

Hours required: 8 hours

Statute: TX Family Code § 2.013

License fee: $82

Find counselors in Texas

Utah

Save $20

Hours required: 6 hours

Statute: UT Code § 30-1-30

License fee: $40

Find counselors in Utah

West Virginia

Save $5–$15

Statute: Varies by county

License fee: $56

Find counselors in West Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

Which states offer a marriage license discount for premarital counseling?

Currently 10 states offer a discount: Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia. The discount ranges from $5 to $75 off the marriage license fee when couples complete a qualifying premarital education program.

Do I need premarital counseling to get married?

No state requires premarital counseling for all couples. However, some states require counseling for minors getting married. Several states incentivize counseling through marriage license fee discounts or waiting period waivers.

What is covenant marriage?

Covenant marriage is a legally distinct type of marriage available in Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. It requires premarital counseling before the wedding and limits the grounds for divorce. Couples must choose covenant marriage at the time they apply for their license.

Who can officiate a wedding?

Requirements vary by state, but most states allow ordained or licensed clergy, judges, justices of the peace, and certain public officials to officiate weddings. Some states allow online ordination, while others have stricter requirements.

Ready to Find a Premarital Counselor?

Browse our directory of licensed therapists, faith-based counselors, and clergy offering premarital counseling across all 50 states.

Browse Counselors by State