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.

10
States With Discount
3
Covenant Marriage States
18
States With Waiting Period
$75
Max Savings
51 states
State License Fee Waiting PeriodDiscount Hours Req.Details
Alabama$70None——View
Alaska$603 business days——View
ArizonaCovenant$83None——View
ArkansasCovenant$60None——View
California$90None——View
Colorado$30None——View
Connecticut$50None——View
Delaware$7524 hours——View
District of Columbia$45None——View
Florida$93.503 days (waived with premarital course)$32.504 hrsView
Georgia$66NoneFee waived6 hrsView
Hawaii$60None——View
Idaho$30None——View
Illinois$601 day——View
Indiana$18–$25None——View
Iowa$353 business days——View
Kansas$85.503 business days——View
Kentucky$35.50None——View
LouisianaCovenant$27.5024 hours——View
Maine$40None——View
Maryland$552 daysAmount set by the applicant's county4 hrsView
Massachusetts$403 days——View
Michigan$203 days——View
Minnesota$125None$7512 hrsView
Mississippi$25None——View
Missouri$50None——View
Montana$53None——View
Nebraska$25None——View
Nevada$102None——View
New Hampshire$50None——View
New Jersey$2872 hours——View
New Mexico$55None——View
New York$3524 hours——View
North Carolina$60None——View
North Dakota$65None——View
Ohio$50None——View
Oklahoma$50None$454 hrsView
Oregon$603 days——View
Pennsylvania$653 days——View
Rhode Island$24None——View
South Carolina$7524 hours$50 tax credit6 hrsView
South Dakota$40None——View
Tennessee$99.50None$604 hrsView
Texas$8272 hours (waivable with premarital course)$608 hrsView
Utah$40None$206 hrsView
Vermont$60None——View
Virginia$30None——View
Washington$703 days——View
West Virginia$56None$5–$15—View
Wisconsin$1103 days——View
Wyoming$30None——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 $32.50

Hours required: 4 hours

Statute: FL § 741.0305

License fee: $93.50

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Georgia

Save Fee waived

Hours required: 6 hours

Statute: GA Code § 19-3-30.1

License fee: $66

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Maryland

Save Amount set by the applicant's county

Hours required: 4 hours

Statute: Md. Family Law § 2-404.1

License fee: $55

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Minnesota

Save $75

Hours required: 12 hours

Statute: MN § 517.08 Subd. 1b

License fee: $125

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Oklahoma

Save $45

Hours required: 4 hours

Statute: OK § 43-5.1

License fee: $50

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South Carolina

Save $50 tax credit

Hours required: 6 hours

Statute: SC Code § 20-1-230

License fee: $75

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Tennessee

Save $60

Hours required: 4 hours

Statute: TN Code § 36-3-104

License fee: $99.50

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Texas

Save $60

Hours required: 8 hours

Statute: TX Family Code § 2.013

License fee: $82

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Utah

Save $20

Hours required: 6 hours

Statute: UT Code § 30-1-30

License fee: $40

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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.

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