Marriage License

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)

• 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)

• 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.