Marriage License | Canyon County

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)
  • Judges can take appointment or walk-ins welcome. However, will depend on a Judge’s availability.
  • Bring Marriage license issued from the County.
  • Both parties must be present.
  • Bring $25.00 in cash to be paid to the Judge.
  • Idaho does not require witnesses to be listed on the license.

After married 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. Either mail in a request or request in-person at the office of the Recorder & Passport office.

Tips for the mailing in a request 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.
  • 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 11th Ave, Suite 330 (3rd floor), Caldwell, Idaho 83605
  • 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. The cost is $25.00 Exact cash is required paid to the Judge. You may have witnesses in the courtroom with you. If you have any other questions regarding the Judge’s availability, please call (208) 454-7571 or (208) 454-7300.

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) 334-5988.

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.

Address

111 N 11th Ave SUITE 330
Caldwell, ID 83605

Phone / Fax

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

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Hours

Weekdays 8am – 5pm
(excluding holidays)