How to Get Married in Arkansas (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Arkansas · Last updated 2026-05-18
Marriage formation in Arkansas follows Arkansas-specific family law from the license application onward. The post-license waiting period is set by statute: the post-license waiting period, where one exists, is fixed by the state's marriage statute and applies uniformly across the state's issuing offices (consult the state code). License validity in Arkansas: 60 days. On common-law marriage, Legal status for unmarried persons which is identical or substantially similar to marital status shall not be valid or recognized in Arkansas, except that the legislature may recognize a common law marriage from another state between a man and a woman. What follows is the Arkansas sequence, the documents, and the officiant rules that complete a lawful marriage.
Key Considerations
Two structural Arkansas rules determine whether the marriage is legally complete: the common-law-recognition rule and the officiant rule. On common-law: Legal status for unmarried persons which is identical or substantially similar to marital status shall not be valid or recognized in Arkansas, except that the legislature may recognize a common law marriage from another state between a man and a woman. On officiants: officiant authority in most U.S. states extends to ordained or credentialed clergy of any recognized religion, sitting and (often) retired judges, and designated civil officials such as judges of probate, justices of the peace, or county clerks; some states also recognize self-uniting or Quaker ceremonies (consult the state code). A ceremony that satisfies neither path is not a marriage in Arkansas.
Two date-driven Arkansas rules surround the marriage license. the post-license waiting period, where one exists, is fixed by the state's marriage statute and applies uniformly across the state's issuing offices (consult the state code). 60 days. See the state agency website. A ceremony performed inside the waiting period (where one applies) or after the validity window has lapsed is not lawful, and the parties would have to reapply.
Arkansas marriage-license applicants face two upfront filters: how much the license costs and whether both applicants meet the age requirement. Fee side: the dollar amount of the marriage-license fee is determined by the issuing clerk's office rather than by a single statewide statute, and couples should confirm the current charge with the specific county or town clerk that will issue the license (consult the state code). Age side: A male or female who is at least seventeen (17) years of age but under the age of eighteen (18) years may contract marriage with parental or guardian consent. The state marriage code, not local custom, controls each one.
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Relevant Documents
Documents commonly produced at a Arkansas marriage-license appointment: the marriage-license application form, identification for each applicant, and (where relevant) the certificate of completion of an approved premarital preparation course. Couples planning to claim a premarital-course incentive (where the state has one) generally must deliver the course certificate at filing; post-filing presentation usually does not retroactively earn the benefit. Applicants in Arkansas pay the marriage-license fee directly to the issuing office (county clerk, town clerk, or probate office, as the state's structure provides) when the application is submitted.
Beneficiary Designation Forms
Documents that specify who receives assets from retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial accounts upon your death.
Durable Power of Attorney
Authorizes someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, ensuring your affairs can be managed without court intervention.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Designates someone to make medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so, ensuring your healthcare preferences are respected.
Prenuptial Agreement
A contract entered into before marriage that establishes rights to property and financial support in case of divorce or death. This document can protect pre-marital assets and outline financial responsibilities during marriage.
Updated Will
A legal document that specifies how your assets should be distributed after death. Marriage typically invalidates previous wills in many jurisdictions, making it important to create a new one that includes your spouse.
Relevant Laws
Marriage License Requirements (Arkansas Code § 9-11-201)
In Arkansas, couples must obtain a marriage license before getting married. Both parties must appear in person at the county clerk's office, provide identification, and pay the required fee. There is no waiting period in Arkansas, and the license is valid for 60 days after issuance.
Age Requirements (Arkansas Code § 9-11-102)
Arkansas law requires both parties to be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent. Individuals who are 17 may marry with parental consent. Arkansas previously allowed younger individuals to marry with parental consent, but recent legislation has restricted this practice.
Prohibited Marriages (Arkansas Code § 9-11-106)
Arkansas prohibits marriages between close relatives, including ancestors and descendants, siblings, aunts/uncles and nieces/nephews, and first cousins. The state also does not recognize marriages where either party is already married to someone else (bigamy).
Covenant Marriage Option (Arkansas Code § 9-11-801)
Arkansas offers couples the option of a 'covenant marriage,' which requires premarital counseling and makes divorce more difficult to obtain. This is a voluntary option that couples can choose when applying for their marriage license.
Name Change After Marriage (Arkansas Code § 9-2-101)
In Arkansas, either spouse may change their surname after marriage by indicating the desired name on the marriage license application. The marriage certificate then serves as legal documentation for the name change with government agencies and other institutions.
Property Rights in Marriage (Arkansas Code § 9-12-315)
Arkansas is not a community property state but follows equitable distribution laws. This means that property acquired during marriage is not automatically split 50/50 in case of divorce, but is divided 'equitably' based on various factors determined by the court.
Regional Variances
Marriage License Requirements in Arkansas
As the most populous county in Arkansas, Pulaski County (which includes Little Rock) has more staffing at the county clerk's office, often resulting in faster processing times for marriage licenses. They also offer online pre-application to expedite the in-person process.
Benton County requires both parties to appear in person with valid ID. They have specific hours for marriage license applications (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday) and do not process applications on holidays.
Fayetteville has a unique covenant marriage option that requires premarital counseling and makes divorce more difficult. The county clerk provides special documentation for couples choosing this option.
Garland County, home to Hot Springs, is popular for destination weddings. The county clerk's office offers extended hours on certain days to accommodate the higher volume of marriage license applications from out-of-state couples.
Known as the 'Wedding Capital of the South,' Eureka Springs has streamlined the marriage license process to accommodate the high volume of weddings. The city has numerous wedding chapels and venues, and the county clerk's office is experienced in helping out-of-state couples navigate Arkansas marriage requirements.
Waiting Periods and Blood Tests
Arkansas has no waiting period for marriage licenses, which is different from neighboring states like Mississippi (3-day waiting period). Blood tests are no longer required statewide, though this was a requirement in the past.
Counties bordering other states (like Mississippi County, Crittenden County, and Miller County) often have staff familiar with the differences in marriage requirements between Arkansas and neighboring states, which can be helpful for couples coming from out of state to get married.
Same-Sex Marriage Considerations
Following the 2015 Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex marriage is legal throughout Arkansas. However, some counties may have varying levels of experience with processing these applications.
Little Rock has been historically more accommodating to same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses, even before the Supreme Court ruling, and county clerk staff are generally well-versed in processing these applications.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Apply for the Arkansas marriage license at the issuing clerk's office
Before the ceremony days after startingthe dollar amount of the marriage-license fee is determined by the issuing clerk's office rather than by a single statewide statute, and couples should confirm the current charge with the specific county or town clerk that will issue the license (consult the state code). Bring valid government-issued photo identification for each applicant and any documentation the clerk requires (proof of termination of any prior marriage, for example).
Have identification and prior-marriage paperwork ready when filing the application
Before the ceremony days after startingStandard documents include a current driver's license or passport for each applicant, plus a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or spouse's death certificate for anyone previously married.
Plan the ceremony date around the statutory waiting period
Before the ceremony days after startingthe post-license waiting period, where one exists, is fixed by the state's marriage statute and applies uniformly across the state's issuing offices (consult the state code). A ceremony performed before the waiting period runs is voidable; the couple should confirm the earliest lawful date directly with the clerk.
Track the license validity window
Before applying days after starting60 days. The wedding has to occur inside that window; if it does not, the license lapses and a fresh license (with a new fee and another application) is required.
Consider completing a state-approved premarital preparation course if this state offers a discount or waiting-period.
Before the ceremony days after startingpremarital-course-discount programs exist in a minority of U.S. states (commonly FL, GA, MN, OK, SC, TN, TX); this state's status under that program was not verifiable in this sourcing pass (consult the state code). The certificate of completion must be presented to the clerk at the time of application, not later.
Hold the ceremony with an authorized Arkansas officiant
At the ceremony days after startingofficiant authority in most U.S. states extends to ordained or credentialed clergy of any recognized religion, sitting and (often) retired judges, and designated civil officials such as judges of probate, justices of the peace, or county clerks; some states also recognize self-uniting or Quaker ceremonies (consult the state code). Make sure the officiant is qualified under the state's officiant list before the ceremony; a marriage performed by a person not authorized to solemnize is not a lawful Arkansas marriage.
Make sure the officiant files the executed license back with the issuing office promptly after the ceremony
After the ceremony days after startingRecording converts the license into a recorded marriage on the state's vital-records system and is what makes a certified marriage certificate available.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apply for the Arkansas marriage license at the issuing clerk's office | the dollar amount of the marriage-license fee is determined by the issuing clerk's office rather than by a single statewide statute, and couples should confirm the current charge with the specific county or town clerk that will issue the license (consult the state code). Bring valid government-issued photo identification for each applicant and any documentation the clerk requires (proof of termination of any prior marriage, for example). | - | Before the ceremony |
| Have identification and prior-marriage paperwork ready when filing the application | Standard documents include a current driver's license or passport for each applicant, plus a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or spouse's death certificate for anyone previously married. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Plan the ceremony date around the statutory waiting period | the post-license waiting period, where one exists, is fixed by the state's marriage statute and applies uniformly across the state's issuing offices (consult the state code). A ceremony performed before the waiting period runs is voidable; the couple should confirm the earliest lawful date directly with the clerk. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Track the license validity window | 60 days. The wedding has to occur inside that window; if it does not, the license lapses and a fresh license (with a new fee and another application) is required. | - | Before applying |
| Consider completing a state-approved premarital preparation course if this state offers a discount or waiting-period. | premarital-course-discount programs exist in a minority of U.S. states (commonly FL, GA, MN, OK, SC, TN, TX); this state's status under that program was not verifiable in this sourcing pass (consult the state code). The certificate of completion must be presented to the clerk at the time of application, not later. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Hold the ceremony with an authorized Arkansas officiant | officiant authority in most U.S. states extends to ordained or credentialed clergy of any recognized religion, sitting and (often) retired judges, and designated civil officials such as judges of probate, justices of the peace, or county clerks; some states also recognize self-uniting or Quaker ceremonies (consult the state code). Make sure the officiant is qualified under the state's officiant list before the ceremony; a marriage performed by a person not authorized to solemnize is not a lawful Arkansas marriage. | - | At the ceremony |
| Make sure the officiant files the executed license back with the issuing office promptly after the ceremony | Recording converts the license into a recorded marriage on the state's vital-records system and is what makes a certified marriage certificate available. | - | After the ceremony |
Frequently Asked Questions
the dollar amount of the marriage-license fee is determined by the issuing clerk's office rather than by a single statewide statute, and couples should confirm the current charge with the specific county or town clerk that will issue the license (consult the state code). Pricing is best confirmed against the issuing clerk's published fee schedule. In states with a premarital-course discount, the course-completion certificate is presented at the application appointment to claim the reduction.
Legal status for unmarried persons which is identical or substantially similar to marital status shall not be valid or recognized in Arkansas, except that the legislature may recognize a common law marriage from another state between a man and a woman. Where a state does still recognize common-law marriage, the elements (present-tense agreement to be married, cohabitation in the state, holding out as married) vary in detail, and a couple relying on the doctrine should document each element.
the post-license waiting period, where one exists, is fixed by the state's marriage statute and applies uniformly across the state's issuing offices (consult the state code). The waiting period (if any) starts running from the date the license is issued, not from the date the application is filed; the date that controls is the issuance date on the license itself.
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