Idaho Marriage License Guide (2026)

Fees and rules for all 44 Idaho counties · Updated 2026

Idaho marriage licenses are issued by the County Recorder - the same elected official and office as the County Clerk - and the amount the law requires is $28: $11 to the recorder under Idaho Code 31-3205(1)(k), $15 to the state domestic violence project account under Idaho Code 39-5213(1), and $2 to record the marriage certificate under IDAPA 16.02.08.501. Some counties advertise $30 or $31 because they sell you one certified copy with the license. There is no waiting period, no blood test, no residency requirement and no witnesses, and no identification document is required of an applicant who has a Social Security number - Idaho Code 32-403(2)(a) applies the SSN requirement "only to applicants who have been assigned a social security number", and someone who has never been assigned one brings SSA verification, a birth certificate or passport, and proof of lawful presence instead. Photo ID and both parties attending together are county practice rather than Idaho law, but nearly every county asks for both. The license is valid one year, must be used in Idaho, and the officiant must return it to the issuing County Recorder within 30 days.

The process

1. Both parties go to the County Recorder

   Idaho Code 32-403 imposes no personal-appearance requirement and asks for no identification document from an applicant who has a Social Security number - where the recorder does not personally know the parties are competent to marry, 32-403(1) has him take affidavits. In practice every Idaho county page found asks both parties to attend together with photo ID, so plan on that. The SSN requirement at 32-403(2) applies "only to applicants who have been assigned a social security number"; an applicant who has never been assigned one brings written verification from the Social Security Administration, a birth certificate or passport or other foreign-issued documentary evidence, and proof of lawful presence (32-403(2)(b)). There is no pre-download application.

2. Pay the $28 fee

   The law requires $28: $11 to the county recorder (Idaho Code 31-3205(1)(k)), $15 to the state domestic violence project account (Idaho Code 39-5213(1)), and $2 to record the marriage certificate (IDAPA 16.02.08.501, the figure Idaho Code 39-263 delegates to the Board of Health and Welfare). Idaho Code 32-408 names no amount at all - it points to the recorder’s fee schedule in 31-3205. Counties that ask $30 or $31 are selling you one certified copy along with the license: Latah publishes "$30 fee = $28 (license) + $2 (certified copy after recording)" and Twin Falls itemizes it the same way. Check your own county’s page, because the advertised price is not uniform.

3. Marry and return the license

   The license is valid one year and must be used in Idaho. The officiant must return the completed license to the issuing County Recorder within 30 days (Idaho Code 32-402) - a misdemeanor if not returned.

Marriage license fees by county — all 44 Idaho counties

What to bring

• Photo ID for both parties - county practice, not an Idaho statutory requirement
• Social Security number for each party who has been assigned one (Idaho Code 32-403(2)(a))
• If you have never been assigned an SSN: SSA verification, a birth certificate or passport, and proof of lawful presence (Idaho Code 32-403(2)(b))
• Both parties in person, together - county practice, not an Idaho statutory requirement
• Payment of $28 - more if your county sells a certified copy with the license

Frequently asked questions