Kentucky Wedding Laws
Drafted and last reviewed for accuracy by the Kentucky marriage law team at the Universal Life Church Ministries on
In the Commonwealth of Kentucky, some things are serious business. Bourbon, basketball, and horses probably come to mind first, but Kentucky also takes its weddings seriously. With a little research and planning, you can make sure your Kentucky wedding will be a fully-legal slam dunk.
Kentucky Marriage Requirements
In most cases, Kentucky requires each party to a marriage to be at least 18 years old. Additionally, the prospective spouses must be legally divorced from any previous living spouses and be no more closely related than second cousins, whether by whole or half-blood. The law also insists on each party being of sound mind and prohibits marriage by any person who has been found mentally incompetent by a court of law.
Of all the legal requirements for marriage, state law only recognizes exceptions to the prohibitions on age. State law allows minors who are 16 or 17 years old to get married if they have permission from a parent or legal guardian, and those who are 15 or younger may request a judge's permission to marry if they are pregnant.
Kentucky still has laws on the books prohibiting same-sex marriage. However, since the passage of federal laws on marriage equality and corresponding Supreme Court rulings, those state laws have not been enforced.
How to Get a Kentucky Marriage License
In order to obtain a marriage license in Kentucky, both parties must visit a county clerk's office and present appropriate documentation. Each county may have different document requirements, such as policies on whether passports are acceptable forms of ID or whether proof of a previous divorce is required, so check your county's requirements before visiting the clerk's office. Marriage license fees also vary and can cost as much as $50 depending on the county.
It's also important to note that if the marrying couple includes a female under age 18, the couple must visit the clerk's office in her county of residence in order to apply for a marriage license.
Applying For a Marriage License in Kentucky
Marriage licenses issued by a Kentucky county clerk are valid in any county across the state and expire 30 days after issuance. That means couples may apply for their marriage license in a county other than where they plan to hold the ceremony. However, following the wedding, the license must be returned to the county clerk's office where it was issued.Each marriage license must provide the same information, no matter where it was issued.
How to Become a Wedding Officiant in Kentucky
In Kentucky, justices and judges who are either retired or still serving may officiate a wedding, as long as they haven't been removed or found guilty of a felony. Additionally, ministers and priests of any denomination may perform a religious wedding ceremony, as may religious societies without officiating ministers or priests, as long as they perform the ceremony before their congregations.
County clerks may require religious leaders to present credentials, such as a Letter of Good Standing, to demonstrate their status and affiliation with their religious organization. This requirement can be issued either before or after the ceremony, so officiants should be prepared to provide this documentation promptly in order to avoid delay.
Getting Married in Kentucky
Kentucky law requires a marriage ceremony to be led by an authorized officiant in the physical presence of both parties and two additional adult witnesses. During the ceremony, each party is required to declare their intent to accept the other as a spouse. Following that declaration, the officiant must declare the couple officially married in order for the wedding to be legal.
Finalizing the Union
The minister is responsible for completing the marriage certificate and returning it in an expeditious manner to the clerk's office following the ceremony. Information required on the certificate generally includes the date of the ceremony, names of the couple and witnesses, and the minister's name, title, and religious affiliation, such as the Universal Life Church.
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