Kentucky Marriage License Guide (2026)
A Kentucky marriage license is issued by the County Clerk for a state-mandated baseline fee of $26.50, which includes indexing, recording, and the certificate. Both parties must appear in person to apply. Counties may add surcharges on top of the baseline - Henderson County, for example, charges $60.00.
The one thing to knowBoth parties must appear in person - there is no pre-download application form.
The process
- Both parties appear in person
There is no pre-download form; you and your partner must apply together at the County Clerk's office.
- Pay the fee
The state baseline is $26.50, covering indexing, recording, and the certificate. Confirm any local surcharge with your clerk.
- Receive the license
The clerk issues the marriage license once your application is complete.
Marriage license fees by county — all 120 Kentucky counties
| County | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adair County | call to confirm |
| Allen County | call to confirm |
| Anderson County | call to confirm |
| Ballard County | call to confirm |
| Barren County | call to confirm |
| Bath County | call to confirm |
| Bell County | call to confirm |
| Boone County | call to confirm |
| Bourbon County | call to confirm |
| Boyd County | call to confirm |
| Boyle County | call to confirm |
| Bracken County | call to confirm |
| Breathitt County | call to confirm |
| Breckinridge County | call to confirm |
| Bullitt County | call to confirm |
| Butler County | call to confirm |
| Caldwell County | call to confirm |
| Calloway County | call to confirm |
| Campbell County | call to confirm |
| Carlisle County | call to confirm |
| Carroll County | call to confirm |
| Carter County | call to confirm |
| Casey County | call to confirm |
| Christian County | call to confirm |
| Clark County | call to confirm |
| Clay County | call to confirm |
| Clinton County | call to confirm |
| Crittenden County | call to confirm |
| Cumberland County | call to confirm |
| Daviess County | call to confirm |
| Edmonson County | call to confirm |
| Elliott County | call to confirm |
| Estill County | call to confirm |
| Fayette County | call to confirm |
| Fleming County | call to confirm |
| Floyd County | call to confirm |
| Franklin County | call to confirm |
| Fulton County | call to confirm |
| Gallatin County | call to confirm |
| Garrard County | call to confirm |
| Grant County | call to confirm |
| Graves County | call to confirm |
| Grayson County | call to confirm |
| Green County | call to confirm |
| Greenup County | call to confirm |
| Hancock County | call to confirm |
| Hardin County | call to confirm |
| Harlan County | call to confirm |
| Harrison County | call to confirm |
| Hart County | call to confirm |
| Henderson County | call to confirm |
| Henry County | call to confirm |
| Hickman County | call to confirm |
| Hopkins County | call to confirm |
| Jackson County | call to confirm |
| Jefferson County | call to confirm |
| Jessamine County | call to confirm |
| Johnson County | call to confirm |
| Kenton County | call to confirm |
| Knott County | call to confirm |
| Knox County | call to confirm |
| Larue County | call to confirm |
| Laurel County | call to confirm |
| Lawrence County | call to confirm |
| Lee County | call to confirm |
| Leslie County | call to confirm |
| Letcher County | call to confirm |
| Lewis County | call to confirm |
| Lincoln County | call to confirm |
| Livingston County | call to confirm |
| Logan County | call to confirm |
| Lyon County | call to confirm |
| Madison County | call to confirm |
| Magoffin County | call to confirm |
| Marion County | call to confirm |
| Marshall County | call to confirm |
| Martin County | call to confirm |
| Mason County | call to confirm |
| McCracken County | call to confirm |
| McCreary County | call to confirm |
| McLean County | call to confirm |
| Meade County | call to confirm |
| Menifee County | call to confirm |
| Mercer County | call to confirm |
| Metcalfe County | call to confirm |
| Monroe County | call to confirm |
| Montgomery County | call to confirm |
| Morgan County | call to confirm |
| Muhlenberg County | call to confirm |
| Nelson County | call to confirm |
| Nicholas County | call to confirm |
| Ohio County | call to confirm |
| Oldham County | call to confirm |
| Owen County | call to confirm |
| Owsley County | call to confirm |
| Pendleton County | call to confirm |
| Perry County | call to confirm |
| Pike County | call to confirm |
| Powell County | call to confirm |
| Pulaski County | call to confirm |
| Robertson County | call to confirm |
| Rockcastle County | call to confirm |
| Rowan County | call to confirm |
| Russell County | call to confirm |
| Scott County | call to confirm |
| Shelby County | call to confirm |
| Simpson County | call to confirm |
| Spencer County | call to confirm |
| Taylor County | call to confirm |
| Todd County | call to confirm |
| Trigg County | call to confirm |
| Trimble County | call to confirm |
| Union County | call to confirm |
| Warren County | call to confirm |
| Washington County | call to confirm |
| Wayne County | call to confirm |
| Webster County | call to confirm |
| Whitley County | call to confirm |
| Wolfe County | call to confirm |
| Woodford County | call to confirm |
Kentucky-specific details
The $26.50 figure is a state-mandated baseline. Individual counties may add surcharges - Henderson County charges $60.00. Always verify the exact amount with your local clerk.
What to bring
- Both parties, present in person
- The application fee of $26.50 (plus any county surcharge)
- Valid photo identification
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Kentucky marriage license?
The state-mandated baseline fee is $26.50, which includes indexing, recording, and the certificate. Counties may add surcharges.
Who issues the license?
The County Clerk issues Kentucky marriage licenses.
Do both of us have to come in person?
Yes. Both parties must appear in person, and there is no pre-download form.
Can the fee be higher than $26.50?
Yes. Counties may add surcharges. Henderson County, for instance, charges $60.00.
What does the fee cover?
The baseline fee covers indexing, recording, and the certificate.