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Forever Love Ministries
Reverend Larry H. Steele
419 1/2 Avenue North
Great Falls, MT  59401
Telephone: 406-231-8683
foreverloveministries@yahoo.com
Rev_Larry_H_Steele@yahoo.com

Massachusetts Marriage Laws

ID Requirement: Picture ID such as a driver's license. You should know your Social Security numbers.

Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Massachusetts.

Application Requirement: Both the bride and groom must appear in person at the time of applying.

� This requirement is applicable to both residents and non-residents of the Commonwealth. According to Massachusetts law, you must jointly file intentions to marry, and you may do so with the city or town clerk in any community in the state. If a person is in the military, intentions may be filed by either party, providing one is a Massachusetts resident. If a person is incarcerated in a county house of correction or a state correctional facility, intentions may be filed by either party.

If Divorced: You are not required to present a divorce certificate when filing intentions to marry. However, it is extremely important that an individual who has been divorced be certain that his/her divorce is absolute. If you are uncertain as to the absolute date of your divorce, you should contact the court where the divorce was granted. In Massachusetts, a divorce does not become absolute until 90 days after the divorce nisi has been granted, regardless of the grounds for divorce.

Waiting Period: 3 days. Sundays and holidays are included in the three days, but the day the application is made is not. For example, if you apply on Friday, your license will be issued on or after Monday. Check with your town clerk to determine whether you must pick it up in person, or if it can be mailed.

� Obtaining a Waiver of the Waiting Period: Yes, if both parties are residents, or non-residents, or one of each, and they need to dispense with the three days, they may do so by applying to the judge of a probate or district court to have the license issued without delay, after filing intentions with the clerk. Under extraordinary or emergency circumstances, such as if the death of either party is imminent or the female is nearing the end of her pregnancy, an authorized request by a minister or clergyperson or an attending physician shall suffice and the clerk can issue the certificate without delay.

Fees: $4 + - Cash Only. The state statute stipulates a fee of $4 for the license but it allows cities and towns by a vote of their city councils, boards of selectmen or town meeting, or by a change in the by-laws, to set their own fee.

Medical Certificate: Yes. A medical certificate is necessary for each of you unless you obtain a request in writing from a member of the clergy or attending physician stating that the woman is near the termination of her pregnancy or the death of either party is imminent.

Under 18: If either party is under 18, a court order from a probate or district court where the minor resides must be obtained before the marriage intentions can be filed.

Same Sex Marriages: Yes.

Miscellaneous: If either of the parties has arrived as an immigrant from a foreign country within five days, the application may be filed at any time before the marriage, and the certificate shall be issued at any time after the filing.

Officiants: Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. Before performing marriages, ministers are required to apply for a certificate from the state. You must file a copy of your ordination certificate and a statement from the church saying that you are in good standing. Ministers must keep records of all marriages they perform. Also, ministers must return a certificate of the marriage to the town clerk or registrar who issued the marriage license and to the town clerk of the town where the marriage was performed. It is possible for a non-minister or non-justice of the peace (such as a relative or family friend) to obtain special permission to perform a marriage from the Governor's office. After approval, a $25 fee is paid to the Commissions Division of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Valid: License is valid for 60 days.