Get a Marriage License in Stafford County, KS

The license costs $85.50 in every district court: $59.00 under K.S.A. 23-2510(a), plus the $26.50 Judicial Branch surcharge the Kansas Supreme Court imposed from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030 (Administrative Order 2026-FN-071, under 2026 HB 2393). A court may waive the surcharge on motion if it would cause undue hardship.

One of you can apply. K.S.A. 23-2505(a) has the clerk issue the license when applied to “by any person who is one of the partiesto the proposed marriage”, and (d) lets the clerk issue on the affidavit of the party personally appearing, sworn to the effect that both are of lawful age. Swearing falsely is a misdemeanour carrying a fine of up to $500.

Plan for the three-day wait. No license may be issued before the third calendar day after the application is filed — Sundays, holidays and days the office is closed all count — unless a district judge waives it for an emergency (K.S.A. 23-2505(b)). Once issued, the license expires after six months (f).

On identification: the statute sets no requirement. K.S.A. 23-2505 does not mention identification of any kind. That is not the same as being told none is needed — the district court clerk may still ask, and many do. Call the clerk before you go and ask what they want to see.

Two witnesses — at the ceremony, not at the counter. K.S.A. 23-2504(a) has a marriage contracted “by the mutual declarations of the two parties to be joined in marriage, made before an authorized officiating person and in the presence of at least two competent witnesses over 18 years of age, other than the officiating person”. You do not need them to get the license — 23-2505(a) lets one of you apply alone. You need them standing there when you marry.

Source: K.S.A. 23-2510 ↗ · Verified 2026-07-09