How Couples Can Get a Discount on Their Marriage License Fee in the USA
Weddings get expensive fast. Venue deposits, catering, rings, flights for relatives. Against all that, the marriage license fee looks like small change, and most couples pay it without a second thought. But the fee can run anywhere from about $25 to well over $100 depending on where you apply, and in several states there are legal ways to cut it by $30 to $75 or more.
This guide explains what you are actually paying for, which states offer discounts, how to qualify, and what mistakes cause couples to lose the savings. It is written for people who have never dealt with a county clerk’s office before.
“Marriage registration fee” vs. “Marriage license fee”
In the United States there is no single national marriage registration fee. Marriage law is set by each state, and the paperwork is handled by a county office. That office might be called the county clerk, clerk of court, probate court, or register of deeds.
What most people call a registration fee is really one of these:
The marriage license fee. You pay this when you apply. It is the fee that discounts apply to.
Certified copy fees. After the ceremony, the signed license is recorded, and you can order official copies of your marriage certificate. Each copy usually costs extra.
Add-on fees. Some counties charge for card payments, online applications, or mailing.
Almost every legal discount targets the first item, the license fee itself.
The Biggest Discount: A Premarital Education Course
The most reliable way to pay less is to complete a state-approved premarital education course before you apply. A handful of states lower or waive the license fee for couples who do this. The logic is simple: lawmakers want to encourage couples to talk through money, communication, and conflict before the wedding, and they use a lower fee as the incentive.
Here is how it works in practice. You and your partner complete a course of a set length, often between four and twelve hours. The provider gives you a certificate of completion. You hand that certificate to the clerk when you apply, and the fee drops.
States where this applies
Fees change, and counties sometimes add their own charges, so treat the numbers below as a guide and confirm them with your county before you pay for anything.
Texas. Couples who finish an eight-hour course skip the $60 state portion of the fee. A Texas license typically costs between $70 and $85 without the course. The state’s Twogether in Texas program offers approved classes free of charge, and completing one also removes the 72-hour waiting period that normally applies after you get your license. The course generally has to be completed within one year before you apply.
Florida. Completing a course of at least four hours reduces the license fee by $32.50. The base fee differs by county. Florida law also lets each judicial circuit keep a list of course providers, some of whom charge on a sliding scale or nothing at all. Florida residents who take the course can typically skip the three-day waiting period as well.
Tennessee. The fee is normally $97.50 and drops to $37.50 with a completed premarital preparation course, a savings of $60.
Georgia. The standard fee is around $56 and falls to about $16 for couples with a course certificate, a savings of roughly $40. Georgia’s course is at least six hours.
Minnesota. The fee is normally $115 and drops to $40 for couples who complete at least 12 hours of premarital education. That is the largest discount of any state on this list.
Oklahoma. The $50 license fee is waived or sharply reduced when you complete a short premarital course. Check with the court clerk for the current rule.
South Carolina. The state also rewards course completion, but how the benefit works is less clear. One course provider describes it as a $50 income tax credit rather than a discount at the counter. Ask the probate court how it is applied in your county.
A few other states have premarital course rules of their own, and legislatures occasionally pass new ones. If your state is not listed, search for your county clerk’s marriage license page and look for the words “premarital” or “fee reduction.”
Course cost and discount by state
License discounts range from $32.50 to $75 before course costs, so your net savings depend on what the class costs you.
State | Course length | Course cost | License discount | Approx. net savings |
Texas | 8 hours | Free through Twogether program in Texas; $23.99 per couple from one online provider | $60 off a license that costs $70 to $85; 72-hour wait waived | $60 with a free class, about $36 with the paid one |
Florida | At least 4 hours | Varies; some providers are free or sliding scale | $32.50 off; base fee set by county | Up to $32.50, less the course cost |
Tennessee | 4 hours | $27.97 per couple (one online provider) | $97.50 down to $37.50 ($60 off) | About $32 |
Georgia | At least 6 hours | $17.97 per couple (one online provider) | About $56 down to about $16 ($40 off) | About $22 |
Minnesota | 12 hours | Not verified | $115 down to $40 ($75 off) | Up to $75, less the course cost |
Oklahoma | About 4 hours | Not verified | $50 fee waived or sharply reduced; confirm with the court clerk | Up to $50, less the course cost |
South Carolina | Not verified | Not verified | One provider describes a $50 income tax credit, not a counter discount | Confirm with your probate court |
Course prices come from individual provider listings and change often. A free or cheaper approved class may exist in your county, so check the clerk’s provider list before you pay.
Rules that trip couples up
The provider must be approved. Courses taught by a licensed counselor, therapist, clergy member, or a state-registered provider usually qualify. A random online course may not. Ask your county clerk or check the state’s list before paying.
Timing matters. Many states require the course to be finished within a set window before the application, often 12 months. An old certificate can be rejected.
Both partners may need to attend. Some states let you take the course together or separately. Others expect it to be done as a couple.
Keep the original certificate. Clerks often want the paper copy or a verified digital one at the application window. Bring it with your IDs.
Online versus in person. Many states accept online courses, but not all. Confirm this before you register.
Other Ways To Pay Less
Outside the course discount, savings are smaller but still worth knowing about.
Compare counties. In some states the license fee is set by each county. Florida and Georgia are examples where the total varies. If your state lets you apply in any county, a clerk’s office an hour away might charge noticeably less. Check first, because a few states require you to apply in a county where you or your partner live, or where you plan to marry.
Skip the convenience fees. Some offices add a percentage for credit cards, or a processing charge for online applications. Paying by cash, check, or debit where allowed can save a few dollars. Ask before you get to the counter.
Order only the copies you need. After the wedding, certified copies cost extra and each one is billed separately. You will likely need one or two for the Social Security office, the DMV, and your bank if either of you changes your name. Order those, and add more later only if a specific agency asks.
Ask about hardship help. Some counties, courts, or nonprofit groups run programs that reduce or cover fees for couples with limited income. These are not available everywhere and the rules vary, so a phone call to the clerk is the quickest way to find out.
Weigh the cost of marrying out of state. If you are planning a destination wedding, remember that you generally need a license from the state where the ceremony happens. Compare that state’s fee and waiting period against your home state’s, but do not let a $30 difference outweigh the cost of an extra trip to the courthouse.
Step-by-step: how to claim a discount
Find your county’s official marriage license page. Search for your county name plus “marriage license.” Stick to the .gov site.
Look for fee reduction details. Check for the words premarital, course, education, or fee waiver. If nothing is listed, call the clerk and ask directly.
Confirm the approved providers. Ask which courses count, how many hours are needed, and whether online classes are accepted.
Complete the course early. Do it at least a few weeks before you plan to apply, so you have time to receive the certificate and fix any problems.
Gather your documents. Typically that means photo ID for both of you, proof of age, and your Social Security numbers. Some states also ask for divorce or death records if either of you was married before.
Apply and present the certificate. Hand it over before you pay so the reduced fee is applied.
Track the license’s expiration date. Licenses expire, commonly after 30 to 90 days depending on the state. Schedule your ceremony inside that window.
Return the signed license. After the wedding, your officiant or you must file it so the marriage is officially recorded.
Mistakes That Cost Couples Money
Assuming the discount exists everywhere. Most states do not offer one. Do not buy a course until you have confirmed your state does.
Using a third-party “application service.” Some commercial websites charge a service fee to “register” your marriage. You can apply directly through your county for the official fee. If a site is not a .gov address, read the fine print carefully.
Letting the certificate expire. A course taken two years before your application may not count.
Forgetting the waiting period. In some states the course shortens or cancels a waiting period, which can matter if your wedding date is close.
Not asking questions. County practices differ. A two-minute call can save you a wasted trip.
Is It Worth It?
Take Texas as an example. A free eight-hour class saves $60 and removes a three-day wait. Over a weekend, that works out to a decent hourly rate. In Tennessee or Minnesota, the savings are even larger, though you have to spend more hours. And there is a benefit beyond the money. Couples who talk through finances, expectations, and disagreements before the wedding tend to start with fewer surprises. Even if you only care about the fee, the time is not wasted.
If your state has no discount, the effort is better spent elsewhere: choose the right county, avoid add-on fees, and order only the copies you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a national marriage license discount?
No. Each state sets its own fee and its own rules. Federal law does not provide any marriage license discount.
Can we take the premarital course online?
Often yes, but it depends on the state and the provider. Ask your county clerk to confirm before you pay.
Does the discount cover certified copies of the marriage certificate?
Usually not. The course discount typically applies only to the license fee at the time you apply.
Do we both have to be residents of the state?
Not always. Many states issue licenses to non-residents. Some discounts, however, are written for residents or have different waiting-period rules for out-of-state couples, so ask when you apply.
How much can we realistically save?
In states that offer a course discount, between about $30 and $75 on the license, plus possible savings on waiting periods. In other states, savings are typically just a few dollars from avoiding extra fees.
Final Word
The fee for your marriage license is one of the few wedding costs you can lower with a bit of paperwork and a few hours of your time. Start by checking whether your state has a course discount. If it does, book the class, keep the certificate safe, and bring it to the clerk’s office. If it does not, comparing counties and trimming extras can still save a little.
Fees and rules change, and this article is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm the current details with your county clerk before you apply.
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