How to Get Married in Wyoming (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Wyoming · Last updated 2026-05-18
Getting married in Wyoming means working through Wyoming-specific rules on the marriage license, the timing around it, and the ceremony itself. Between license issuance and the ceremony itself, the rule is: None. Once issued, the license is good for: 1 year. On common-law marriage, Wyoming does not recognize “common law” marriages. This guide walks the Wyoming marriage-license steps, the documents required, and the officiant rules that apply.
Key Considerations
A Wyoming 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: $30. The age question is set by the state marriage code: For a person aged 16 or 17, marriage requires both judicial approval and the consent of the father, mother, guardian, or person having care and control. Both are settled before any application is signed.
Wyoming also imposes timing rules on either side of license issuance. The waiting period (if any) controls how soon after the license is issued the ceremony can lawfully occur: None. The validity window controls how long the license remains good: 1 year. Couples should calendar both dates against the planned ceremony date.
Once the license clears, two more Wyoming rules govern whether the marriage is legally formed. Common-law recognition: Wyoming does not recognize “common law” marriages. Authorized officiants: Every district or circuit court judge, district court commissioner, supreme court justice, magistrate and every licensed or ordained minister of the gospel, bishop, priest or rabbi, or other qualified person acting in accordance with the traditions or rites for the solemnization of marriage of any religion, denomination or religious society, may perform the ceremony of marriage in this state. Couples eloping in Wyoming or using an out-of-state officiant should confirm both before the ceremony.
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Relevant Documents
For a Wyoming 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. No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. Applicants in Wyoming 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
Wyoming Marriage License Requirements
In Wyoming, both parties must appear in person at a county clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. There is no waiting period, and the license is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Wyoming does not require blood tests or premarital counseling.
Age Requirements for Marriage in Wyoming
In Wyoming, individuals who are 18 years or older can marry without parental consent. Those who are 16 or 17 years old need consent from at least one parent or legal guardian. Wyoming law prohibits marriage for anyone under 16 years of age.
Wyoming Marriage Ceremony Requirements
Wyoming recognizes marriages performed by various officials including judges, court commissioners, justices of the peace, and ordained ministers. The state also recognizes self-uniting marriages (sometimes called 'Quaker marriages') where the couple can marry themselves without an officiant.
Wyoming Common Law Marriage
Wyoming does not recognize common law marriages that originate within the state. However, Wyoming will recognize common law marriages that were legally established in other states that do recognize such unions.
Name Change After Marriage in Wyoming
In Wyoming, either spouse may change their surname after marriage by using their marriage certificate as legal proof of the name change. This can be used to update identification documents such as driver's licenses, Social Security cards, and passports.
Regional Variances
County-Specific Marriage License Requirements in Wyoming
In Laramie County, both parties must appear in person at the County Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. The fee is $30, payable by cash or credit card. There is no waiting period, and the license is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
Natrona County requires both applicants to present valid photo ID and proof of social security number. The marriage license fee is $30 cash. The license is issued immediately and valid for one year.
Teton County has a higher marriage license fee of $33 due to the popularity of destination weddings in Jackson Hole. Both parties must appear in person with valid ID. The license is valid for one year and there is no waiting period.
Albany County requires both parties to appear in person with valid ID. The fee is $30, and the license is valid for one year. The County Clerk's office in Laramie offers extended hours on certain days to accommodate applicants.
In Sheridan County, marriage licenses cost $30 and both applicants must appear in person with valid identification. The license is issued immediately and valid for one year from issuance.
Special Venue Considerations by Location
Weddings in Grand Teton National Park require a special use permit that must be obtained at least 14 days in advance. Fees range from $100-$200 depending on the specific location within the park. Group size restrictions apply.
Yellowstone National Park requires a special use permit for weddings, which costs $100-$200. Applications should be submitted at least 30 days in advance. Certain iconic locations have stricter requirements and longer waiting periods.
The city of Cheyenne offers several public venues for weddings, including the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and historic Depot Plaza. City-owned venues require reservation and permit fees ranging from $50-$500 depending on the location and duration.
The town of Jackson has specific regulations for outdoor weddings on public property, requiring permits at least 30 days in advance. Private venue weddings in Jackson often have higher fees due to the resort destination status of the area.
Officiants and Ceremony Requirements
Marriages performed on the Wind River Reservation may follow tribal customs and laws. Couples should consult with tribal authorities regarding specific requirements if either party is a tribal member or if the ceremony will take place on reservation land.
In Casper, the second-largest city in Wyoming, there are several judges and court officials who can perform ceremonies during regular business hours at the courthouse for a nominal fee of approximately $50.
The city of Cody allows for temporary officiant designation, where a friend or family member can be authorized to perform a single ceremony. This requires filing paperwork with the county clerk at least 2 weeks before the wedding date.
The University of Wyoming in Laramie offers special wedding packages for alumni at campus venues, with different requirements and fees than other locations in the city. Campus ceremonies require approval from the university events office.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
File the marriage-license application with the Wyoming issuing clerk (county clerk, town clerk, or probate office.
Before the ceremony days after starting$30. Each applicant should bring valid photo identification and any prior-marriage termination documents the clerk requests.
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.
Track the license validity window
Before the ceremony days after starting1 year. 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.
Calendar the post-license waiting period (if any) before the ceremony
Before applying days after startingNone. Scheduling the ceremony inside the waiting window will make the marriage unenforceable, so the date must fall on or after the earliest lawful day.
Consider completing a state-approved premarital preparation course if this state offers a discount or waiting-period.
Before the ceremony days after startingNo state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. The certificate of completion must be presented to the clerk at the time of application, not later.
Solemnize the marriage with an officiant the state recognizes
At the ceremony days after startingEvery district or circuit court judge, district court commissioner, supreme court justice, magistrate and every licensed or ordained minister of the gospel, bishop, priest or rabbi, or other qualified person acting in accordance with the traditions or rites for the solemnization of marriage of any religion, denomination or religious society, may perform the ceremony of marriage in this state. Verifying the officiant's authority in advance is important because a defective solemnization is one of the few errors the marriage code does not always cure retroactively.
Return the signed marriage license to the issuing office
After the ceremony days after startingThe officiant typically signs the license at the ceremony and returns it to the clerk within the statutory return window; the clerk then records the marriage and issues the certified marriage certificate.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| File the marriage-license application with the Wyoming issuing clerk (county clerk, town clerk, or probate office. | $30. Each applicant should bring valid photo identification and any prior-marriage termination documents the clerk requests. | - | 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 |
| Track the license validity window | 1 year. 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 the ceremony |
| Calendar the post-license waiting period (if any) before the ceremony | None. Scheduling the ceremony inside the waiting window will make the marriage unenforceable, so the date must fall on or after the earliest lawful day. | - | Before applying |
| Consider completing a state-approved premarital preparation course if this state offers a discount or waiting-period. | No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. The certificate of completion must be presented to the clerk at the time of application, not later. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Solemnize the marriage with an officiant the state recognizes | Every district or circuit court judge, district court commissioner, supreme court justice, magistrate and every licensed or ordained minister of the gospel, bishop, priest or rabbi, or other qualified person acting in accordance with the traditions or rites for the solemnization of marriage of any religion, denomination or religious society, may perform the ceremony of marriage in this state. Verifying the officiant's authority in advance is important because a defective solemnization is one of the few errors the marriage code does not always cure retroactively. | - | At the ceremony |
| Return the signed marriage license to the issuing office | The officiant typically signs the license at the ceremony and returns it to the clerk within the statutory return window; the clerk then records the marriage and issues the certified marriage certificate. | - | After the ceremony |
Frequently Asked Questions
None. The practical effect in Wyoming is that the license-application date has to be planned backward from the ceremony date with the waiting period built in, so applicants do not arrive at the ceremony without a usable license.
$30. Applicants should plan to confirm the current dollar amount directly with the Wyoming issuing clerk that will handle the application, since the published fee schedule can change and county add-ons (where allowed) shift the total.
Wyoming does not recognize “common law” marriages. 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.
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