Marriage License

CLERK

To be married in Idaho you will need to obtain a marriage license from the County Recorder prior to your wedding ceremony. Canyon County Recorder & Passport Office requires no appointment to obtain a marriage license. Our hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We recommend that the couple arrive no later than 4:45 p.m. to complete the application process before closing. After you have obtained the marriage license, the next step is to find a person to legally perform the ceremony. Click this link for guidance on who may conduct a marriage ceremony.

To obtain a Marriage License for couples 18 + years of age (Per Idaho Code 32-403):

Fill out an Online Marriage Application

Both parties must appear together before the deputy clerk
Cost of Marriage License is $28.00 cash only
Each party presents a government ID (examples: Passport, Driver’s License, State ID)
Blood tests are not required. Effective July 1, 2019, the county will no longer be providing the educational pamphlet regarding Aids (per Senate Bill No. 1055, Idaho Code 32-412A)
Each party must know and provide their Social Security Number:

If either applicant does not have a Social Security Number, please provide items listed below (Per Idaho Code 32-403):

- A letter obtained from the Social Security Office- indicating a Social Security Number hasn’t been issued.
- Present Foreign Passport or Foreign Birth Certificate
- Present to the Recorder’s Office, proof of being lawfully present in the United States of America (Examples of proof are: Valid Passport Visa, Valid Permanent Resident Card, or Valid USA Employment Authorization Card)

Additional Instructions for couples with ages of 16 or 17:

The age gape between the couple must be under three (3) years age difference, effective July 1, 2020. Per Idaho code 32-202
Minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (Idaho code 32-202)

Original birth certificate or a certified copy of guardianship papers for the 16 or 17 years old
Parent or legal guardian must complete: Affidavit of Consent to Marriage of Minor – Must be completed and signed in the presence of the Deputy Clerk

*Please Note: Applicants who are 15 years of age and under will not be issued a marriage license effective July 1, 2019 * -Idaho code 32-202

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To get married in courthouse:

Please go to the 2nd floor, Room 201 in the Canyon County Courthouse (during operating hours)
- Door close between 12 p.m. and 1p.m.;
- Close for the day at 4 p.m.
Judges can take appointments, will depend on Judges availability. Please call 208-454-7360 to make an appointment.
Bring the Marriage license, issued from the County to the Judge.
Both parties must be present.
Any fees required for the solemnization of the marriage by a Judge will be will be vocalized prior to the ceremony.
Idaho does not require witnesses to be listed on the license.
- No limit on number of guests to witness the ceremony.

After marriage ceremony, how do I obtain a certified copy of the marriage license from Canyon County?

If the marriage license was purchased from Canyon County, Canyon County will have that copy in our records. If purchased from another county, please reach out to that county or Burau of Vital Records Statistics for their process. For a copy from Canyon County, either mail in a request or request in-person at the Recorder & Passport office.

Tips for the mailing in a request for your copy of your marriage license, please include these items in the request:

List the date of marriage.
List the full names of the couple (indicate the name you had before marriage).
Contact information such as a phone number or email.
Provide copy of proof of interest in the Marriage License per Idaho code 39-270 (see chart below for proof of interest)

Who can request copies	Proof of interest
The couple themselves	Government ID(s)
The couple themselves, where a member of the couple has had a name change after marriage	Requestors Government ID + name change paperwork (Divorce decree, court order) or Previous Marriage license(s) or Birth Certificate
Family of marriage couple (parents, spouse parent(s), Children, Siblings, grandparents, grandchildren or guardian)	Requestors Government ID + documentation to show relationship to couple listed on marriage license. Possible documents or combination of those: birth certificate(s), family bible, obituary or baptism certificate
Person conducting a genealogical research on their own family	Requestors Government ID + Documentation to show family relationship. Possible documents or combinations: birth cert(s), family bible, obituary, baptism certificate
Power of attorney or attorney in fact or legal representatives of the couple	Requestors Government ID + documents who appointment or list representative
Court order	court documents
Law Enforcement	law enforcement ID
prove or demonstrates that the record is needed to determination or protection of that persons property right	Requestors ID + the particular paperwork that show the need or proof for determination or protection of property right
Surviving next-of-kin if all other family are deceased	Requestors Government ID + Documentation that show family relationship. Could be a combination of these: birth/death certificate(s), marriage license

The appropriate fees. To find the appropriate fees please contact the Canyon County Recorder & Passport office at (208) 454-7555.
Include a return envelope with your address along with your request.

Tips for picking up a certified copy at the Canyon County Recorder’s & Passport Office.

Go to Canyon County Administration Building, located at 111 North 11^th Ave, Suite 330 (3^rd floor), Caldwell, Idaho 83605
Provide a copy or original that is proof of interest in the marriage license per Idaho Code 39-270 (see chart below for proof of interest)

Who can request copies	Proof of interest
The couple themselves	Government ID(s)
The couple themselves, where a member of the couple has had a name change after marriage	Requestors Government ID + name change paperwork (Divorce decree, court order) or Previous Marriage license(s) or Birth Certificate
Family of marriage couple (parents, spouse parent(s), Children, Siblings, grandparents, grandchildren or guardian)	Requestors Government ID + documentation to show relationship to couple listed on marriage license. Possible documents or combination of those: birth certificate(s), family bible, obituary or baptism certificate
Person conducting a genealogical research on their own family	Requestors Government ID + Documentation to show family relationship. Possible documents or combinations: birth cert(s), family bible, obituary, baptism certificate
Power of attorney or attorney in fact or legal representatives of the couple	Requestors Government ID + documents who appointment or list representative
Court order	court documents
Law Enforcement	law enforcement ID
prove or demonstrates that the record is needed to determination or protection of that persons property right	Requestors ID + the particular paperwork that show the need or proof for determination or protection of property right
Surviving next-of-kin if all other family are deceased	Requestors Government ID + Documentation that show family relationship. Could be a combination of these: birth/death certificate(s), marriage license

Bring cash or check for payment of certified copy. To find the appropriate fees please contact the Canyon County Recorder & Passport office at (208) 454-7555.

IF I DON’T HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, CAN I GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE?
Yes, provide all items listed to the County. Per Idaho code 32-403.
Items are:

A letter from the Social Security office, indicating that you don’t have a Social Security Number,
A foreign passport or foreign birth certificate,
Proof of being lawfully present in Unite State of America. (few examples for proof lawful presents are: Valid Passport Visa, Valid Permanent Resident Card or Valid USA Employment Authorization Card).

If you are unable to provide all items, it is recommended to reach out to another State to find what is required in obtaining a marriage license from that State.

ARE MARRIAGE CEREMONIES PERFORMED AT THE CANYON COUNTY COURTHOUSE?
Yes. The judges are available to marry couples during operating hours. Please call ahead during the holiday season as their times may differ. Canyon County Courthouse is closed on federal holidays. You may have witnesses in the courtroom with you. If you have any other questions regarding the Judge’s availability, please call (208) 454-7360.

CAN I HAVE MY CEREMONY IN ANOTHER STATE WITH A PURCHASED IDAHO MARRIAGE LICENSE?
No, an Idaho State Marriage License is only valid when the couple is married in Idaho. However, you don’t have to be a resident of Idaho to be married in Idaho.

DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS?
No, we accept cash only. There is an ATM in the Courthouse.

IS AN IDAHO MARRIAGE RECOGNIZED IN OTHER STATES?
Yes.

IS MY LAST NAME AUTOMATICALLY CHANGED AFTER THE CEREMONY?
No, you must present a certified copy of name change paperwork aka certified copy of Marriage License to both Social Security office & Sheriff’s Driver’s License. For each entity, please follow their directions for a name change. For more information, please visit these entities websites for instruction or to make an appointment.

IS THERE A WAITING PERIOD BEFORE USING THE LICENSE?
No, you may get married immediately after obtaining your marriage license.

WHEN WE RECEIVE THE MARRIAGE LICENSE, ARE WE MARRIED?
No, an authorized clergy member, judge or other designated official, i.e. mayor or governor, must perform the ceremony and complete the marriage certificate section of the license.

WILL THE MARRIAGE LICENSE EXPIRE?
No, there is no expiration date on the license. If a completed original is not returned within a year, please contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics at (208) 334-5980

WHO IS AUTHORIZED TO SOLEMNIZE/PREFORM THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY IN IDAHO?
View the Marriage Solemnization Chart >

In Idaho the officiant must be authorized under Idaho Code Section 32-303. Authorized individuals include:

Justice of Supreme Court (current and retired)
Appeals Judge (current and retired)
District Judge (current and retired)
Idaho’s Governor (current and former)
Magistrate of the District Court (current and retired)
Idaho’s Mayors (current)
Federal Judge (current)
Tribal Judge (current)
Idaho’s Lieutenant Governor (current)
Priest or minister of the gospel of any denomination or faith

WHAT IF ONE PARTY IS INCARCERATED? CAN A MARRIAGE LICENSE BE OBTAINED FROM CANYON COUNTY?
No, Canyon County requires that both parties must be present before the Deputy Clerk to obtain a marriage license. We recommend reaching out to Ada County and ask about their process for getting a marriage license. Once a license is obtained the next step is to reach out to the jail in which the person is incarcerated for instructions about how to conduct the ceremony.

Clerk

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Address

111 N 11th Ave SUITE 330
Caldwell, ID 83605

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Email

RecorderClerks@canyoncounty.id.gov

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Phone / Fax

P 208-454-7555
F 208-454-6689

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Hours

Weekdays 8am – 5pm
(excluding holidays)