Arkansas Marriage

Under Arkansas marriage laws, couples must obtain a marriage license from the state. The marriage license is valid for 60 days and the marriage must be finalized within that time period. Parties 18 and older are free to marry, but those under 18 must obtain parental consent. The details on the requirements for an Arkansas marriage are set forth below.

Arkansas Marriage Consent Laws

• With Parental Consent: Generally, females who have reached the age of 16 can marry in Arkansas with parental consent. Males who have reached 17 can marry in Arkansas with parental consent.
• Without Parental Consent: Generally, males and females who have reached the age of 18 can marry without parental consent in Arkansas.

Arkansas Common Law Marriage

Arkansas does not recognize common law marriages.

Arkansas Marriage License

• Residency:  You do not have to be a resident of Arkansas to obtain a marriage license there.
• Tests: None.
• Identification Required:  Individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 must present one of the following: state-certified birth certificate, active military ID card, or valid passport. For those 21 and older, a valid driver’s license is enough.
• Appearance/Proxy:  Proxy marriages are not allowed in Arkansas.
• Previous Marriages:  If either party has been previously married, that party will have to bring a certified copy of the divorce decree. This is also required if your name has changed. Widows must provide information on the death of their former spouse.
• Length of License:  Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days in Arkansas from the time of issuance.
• Fees:  In general, the fee for an Arkansas marriage license is $59, payable in cash only, but other fees may vary by county.
• Filling Out the License/Submitting the License:  Both individuals must be present.
• Authorized Arkansas Officiants:  To be an authorized Arkansas officiant, ministers must file with any Arkansas county recorder.