Waiving 3 day waiting period?

KDough

Hello! Has anyone that has gotten married in Massachusetts waived the 3 day waiting period for the marriage license? And if so, was it complicated to do?

My fiance and I are getting in Boston, but live in St Louis. Because of his job, it will be hard for him to get to Boston between now and the wedding in June. We are thinking about getting that 3 day waiting period waived, but only if its not too complicated.

Thanks!

kmac821

I don't know how you go about doing that... but the process to sign up was very easy. Just note that they are closed on Wednesdays, so if you waited until the week of your wedding you'd HAVE to go on Tuesday in order to do the 3 day wait period.

gmfgal

I have a friend in the same predictament.  I just call city hall for her today.  I was told that it requires a trip to the local probate court after you have applied for the license.  I assume you take a form to the court.  After the judge (or whoever) okays the waiver, then it's another trip back to city hall to have the license completed.  I was told that depending on which court you go to, it can sometimes take an entire day to get this done.

KDough

Okay, thank you ladies! Im going to call them.

marshallra

What you need to do is file a motion for a " Marriage without delay" in a probate and family court. There is one or more such court in each county of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Marriage licenses on the other hand are issued by individual towns. Nothing requires you to go to any specific town to seek a license. If you are getting married in Boston you do not have to go to the Boston City Clerks office to get a license. You can go to any town you want to get a license. Simarlly you can use any probate court you want to get the Marriage without delay motion allowed The reason I mention this is that Suffolk County Probate Court- which handles Boston is one of the most crowded and thus slowest courthouses around. So is Middlesex county which covers Cambridge ( accross the river from Boston). You would be able to get through much quicker at a less busy courthouse. Go to court first, get the waiver allowed. This requires you to fill out a form ( CJ- D430) File it with the clerk and then appear before a Judge to have it allowed.

marshallra

Continuing from above. The Judge will ask you why you need the waiver, a simple statement that you are from out of state but the ceremony is in Mass and taking place the next day -or the day after etc. will suffice. Then you will go back to the clerks office where the paperwork will be processed and you will wait to be given a certified copy. Then take that Court Order allowing you to marry without delay to the town hall to have a license issued. All the Probate courts I can think of are in towns where there is a town or city hall nearby, so just go to the local town Hall. Two things to remember: Under recent staffing cutbacks Probate courts close at 3. If it is busy you have no quarantee of getting before a judge later in the day and all courts break from 1-2 for lunch. Get there early-8:30 am to ne safe. Also check to make sure the town you will get you license from will have town hall open that day. Some close on Fridays, some on Wednesdays etc.