How to Get Married in Nebraska (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Nebraska · Last updated 2026-05-18
Getting married in Nebraska means working through Nebraska-specific rules on the marriage license, the timing around it, and the ceremony itself. Between license issuance and the ceremony itself, the rule is: No waiting period. The window during which the license remains usable: 1 year. Common-law-marriage status: No, not if established within Nebraska after 1923. This guide walks the Nebraska marriage-license steps, the documents required, and the officiant rules that apply.
Key Considerations
Nebraska treats marriage formation as a two-part question. Can the couple skip the license and the ceremony entirely under a common-law doctrine? No, not if established within Nebraska after 1923. See the state agency website. If a ceremony is required, who may perform it? Every judge, retired judge, clerk magistrate, or retired clerk magistrate, and every preacher of the gospel authorized by the usages of the church to which he or she belongs to solemnize marriages, may perform the marriage ceremony in this state. The marriage code answers both.
The Nebraska marriage code carries two timing layers. The first is the waiting period between issuance and lawful solemnization: No waiting period. The second is the license's validity period, after which a fresh license is required: 1 year. Both are statutory; neither is negotiable with the clerk.
A Nebraska marriage starts with a license, and a license starts with two threshold questions: cost and age eligibility. The cost question runs to the issuing clerk: $25. The age question is set by the state marriage code: When either party is a minor, no license shall be granted without the written consent under oath of: (1) Either one of the parents of such minor, if the parents are living together; (2) the parent having the legal custody of such minor, if the parents are living separate and apart from each other; (3) the surviving parent, if one of the parents of such minor is deceased; or (4) the guardian, conservator, or person under whose care and government such minor may be, if both parents of such minor are deceased or if such guardian, conservator, or person has the legal and actual custody of such minor. Both are settled before any application is signed.
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Relevant Documents
For a Nebraska marriage, the core documents are the marriage-license application filed with the issuing clerk and, where a premarital-course incentive applies, the certificate of completion from a state-approved provider. States with a premarital-preparation incentive typically require the couple to bring the original certificate of completion to the license appointment to obtain the reduction or waiver on the spot. License fees in Nebraska are due to the issuing clerk at filing, often in cash or by money order; check accepted payment methods with the specific office before the appointment.
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
Nebraska Marriage License Requirements
In Nebraska, couples must obtain a marriage license before getting married. Both parties must appear in person at the county clerk's office, provide valid identification, and pay the required fee (typically $25-50). There is no waiting period after receiving the license, and it remains valid for one year from the date of issuance.
Age Requirements for Marriage in Nebraska
Nebraska law requires both parties to be at least 19 years old to marry without parental consent. Individuals who are 17-18 years old may marry with the consent of a parent or guardian. Nebraska does not permit marriage for anyone under 17 years of age under any circumstances.
Marriage Ceremony Requirements
Nebraska recognizes marriages performed by various officials including judges, retired judges, clerks of the district court, and ordained ministers. The ceremony must include a declaration by the parties that they take each other as husband and wife, made in the presence of the officiant and at least two witnesses who are at least 19 years old.
Marriage Certificate Filing
After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the marriage certificate and return it to the county clerk within 15 days. This official filing is necessary to create a legal record of the marriage. Couples should request certified copies of their marriage certificate for legal purposes such as name changes.
Nebraska Property Rights in Marriage
Nebraska 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 rather divided in a manner the court deems fair. Understanding these property implications before marriage can help couples make informed decisions about prenuptial agreements.
Regional Variances
Marriage License Requirements in Nebraska
Douglas County (including Omaha) requires both parties to appear in person at the County Clerk's office. The marriage license fee is $25. There is no waiting period after receiving the license, and it is valid for one year from issuance.
Lancaster County (including Lincoln) requires both applicants to appear together with valid ID. The fee is $25, and the license is valid for one year. No blood tests or waiting periods are required.
In Sarpy County, couples must apply in person with valid photo ID. The fee is $25, and the license is valid for one year. Marriage ceremonies can be performed by the county judge for an additional fee.
Hall County requires both parties to appear in person with government-issued photo ID. The license fee is $25. No waiting period is required, and the license is valid for one year.
Buffalo County requires both applicants to appear in person at the County Clerk's office with valid identification. The fee is $25, and the license is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
Marriage Age Requirements
In Nebraska, the legal age to marry without parental consent is 19. Individuals who are 17-18 years old may marry with parental/guardian consent. Nebraska law prohibits marriage for anyone under 17 years of age.
Native American Tribal Jurisdictions
Marriages performed on Omaha Tribal lands follow tribal laws and customs, which may differ from state requirements. Couples should check with tribal authorities for specific requirements.
The Winnebago Tribe has its own marriage requirements and procedures. Marriages performed under tribal authority may have different documentation requirements than those performed under state law.
Same-Sex Marriage
Same-sex marriage is legal throughout Nebraska following the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. All counties must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples under the same terms and conditions as opposite-sex couples.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Apply for the Nebraska marriage license at the issuing clerk's office
Before the ceremony days after starting$25. Bring valid government-issued photo identification for each applicant and any documentation the clerk requires (proof of termination of any prior marriage, for example).
Verify identification and any prior-marriage documents at the counter
Before the ceremony days after startingBoth applicants typically present current government photo ID; previously married applicants should bring a certified copy of the divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate as proof the prior marriage has ended.
Where the state recognizes a premarital-course incentive, plan the course before applying
Before the ceremony days after startingfee or waiting-period reductions for couples who complete a state-approved premarital preparation course exist only in a handful of states; this state's current rule on that point should be confirmed before relying on a discount (consult the state code). The clerk applies the fee reduction or waiting-period waiver based on the original course-completion certificate produced at filing.
Confirm the license validity window before locking the ceremony date
Before applying days after starting1 year. The license expires by operation of law at the end of the window; a ceremony performed after expiration is not lawful and the couple must reapply.
Account for the post-license waiting period when picking a ceremony date
Before the ceremony days after startingNo waiting period. The waiting period (where the state imposes one) runs from the license issuance date, so the application timing has to be worked backward from the planned ceremony date.
Complete the ceremony with an officiant who falls inside the Nebraska authorized-officiant list
At the ceremony days after startingEvery judge, retired judge, clerk magistrate, or retired clerk magistrate, and every preacher of the gospel authorized by the usages of the church to which he or she belongs to solemnize marriages, may perform the marriage ceremony in this state. An out-of-state officiant performing the ceremony inside Nebraska should be confirmed against the Nebraska list, since reciprocity is not automatic.
Have the officiant return the executed license to the clerk after the ceremony
After the ceremony days after startingThe clerk records the marriage and issues the certified certificate; many states impose a strict return deadline (often 10 to 30 days), so the officiant should not delay.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apply for the Nebraska marriage license at the issuing clerk's office | $25. 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 |
| Verify identification and any prior-marriage documents at the counter | Both applicants typically present current government photo ID; previously married applicants should bring a certified copy of the divorce decree, annulment order, or death certificate as proof the prior marriage has ended. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Where the state recognizes a premarital-course incentive, plan the course before applying | fee or waiting-period reductions for couples who complete a state-approved premarital preparation course exist only in a handful of states; this state's current rule on that point should be confirmed before relying on a discount (consult the state code). The clerk applies the fee reduction or waiting-period waiver based on the original course-completion certificate produced at filing. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Confirm the license validity window before locking the ceremony date | 1 year. The license expires by operation of law at the end of the window; a ceremony performed after expiration is not lawful and the couple must reapply. | - | Before applying |
| Account for the post-license waiting period when picking a ceremony date | No waiting period. The waiting period (where the state imposes one) runs from the license issuance date, so the application timing has to be worked backward from the planned ceremony date. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Complete the ceremony with an officiant who falls inside the Nebraska authorized-officiant list | Every judge, retired judge, clerk magistrate, or retired clerk magistrate, and every preacher of the gospel authorized by the usages of the church to which he or she belongs to solemnize marriages, may perform the marriage ceremony in this state. An out-of-state officiant performing the ceremony inside Nebraska should be confirmed against the Nebraska list, since reciprocity is not automatic. | - | At the ceremony |
| Have the officiant return the executed license to the clerk after the ceremony | The clerk records the marriage and issues the certified certificate; many states impose a strict return deadline (often 10 to 30 days), so the officiant should not delay. | - | After the ceremony |
Frequently Asked Questions
No waiting period. Plan the ceremony date in Nebraska against the earliest lawful day under this rule; a wedding that occurs before the period runs is voidable, and the couple would have to redo the ceremony after the period closes.
No, not if established within Nebraska after 1923. The practical test in Nebraska is whether the state's marriage code permits a marriage to be formed without a license and a ceremony; in most states it does not, and a couple that wants the legal status of marriage should plan on the license-plus-ceremony track.
$25. Applicants should plan to confirm the current dollar amount directly with the Nebraska issuing clerk that will handle the application, since the published fee schedule can change and county add-ons (where allowed) shift the total.
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