Mississippi Family Law Blog

In order to get a valid marriage license, the Mississippi Code requires the couple to:

• Fill out an application with the circuit court clerk of any county, stating their names, ages, and addresses and the names and addresses of their parents;


• Show proof of age, such as driver’s license, birth certificate, or other official document proving the person’s age;


• Present proof of a blood test within the last 30 days of the application showing both parties are free of syphilis; and


• Pay the fee required by the clerk. Hinds and Rankin County charge $21.00. Madison County is a bit more expensive at $23.00 while Harrison County charges $22.00.

If either of the parties is under 21, the parents must consent to the marriage. If the parents have not consented to the marriage at the time of application, the application will be held while the parents are given notice by mail. Additionally, no license will be issued to any male under 17 or female under 15. This may be waived upon application and proper showing to a judge of the county. There is a 3 day waiting period before the clerk can issue the marriage license. This may also be waived upon application to a judge. There are no residency requirements to marry in Mississippi. Both parties may be out-of-state residents.

Once the marriage license is issued by the clerk, then the marriage must be “solemnized” by authorized person. Under the Code, a marriage may be solemnized by a minister, rabbi, or spiritual leader of any religious body authorized by that religion and in good standing, judges from the Mississippi Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, circuit court, chancery court, or county court, and any justice court judge or county supervisor performing a ceremony within his/her county.

As stated in previous post, same-sex marriages are illegal in Mississippi. Further, a marriage which is bigamous or incestuous is void. This issue will be discussed in my next post.