How to Get Married in Arkansas

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 15, 2022 References

There are many reasons to tie the knot in Arkansas. Perhaps you enjoyed your time there, and you would like to go back. It could be that your spouse has relatives there, and both of you would like to use this as an opportunity to see them. Whatever your reason may be, in order to get married in Arkansas, you will need to satisfy legal requirements and coordinate event logistics.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Fulfilling Your License Requirements

1
Visit a county courthouse.^{[1]
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Research source} This is where you will file your application for a marriage license.
2
Verify your age and identity. If you are 21 years old or older, you can use your valid driver's license as your identification as long as it shows your correct name and your date of birth. If you are under 21 years old, you have to show a state-certified copy of your birth certificate, a valid passport or an active military identification card.^{[2]
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- There are no residency, physical or blood test requirements in the state of Arkansas.
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3
Be of legal age. You have to be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent. You can contact your local county courthouse if you have questions about the age requirements. Females as young as 16 and males as young as 17 can get an Arkansas marriage license with parental consent.^{[3]
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4
Prepare to pay. The price of an Arkansas marriage license usually runs around $58, but the cost will vary by county.^{[4]
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Research source} You also need to bring cash as most offices will not accept checks or credit cards.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Getting a Marriage License

1
Look for a suitable officiant. Ministers are required to have either an Ordination Certificate or Minister’s License. Record of this certification must exist in an Arkansas county. ^{[5]
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Research source} Any officiant will need to fill out the Marriage License with the information required for a Marriage Certificate.
- Any current Justice of the Peace is allowed to officiate a marriage. If a former Justice of the Peace held that position for two terms since 1977, then he or she may also officiate. ^{[6]
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- Communicate with the county in order to find out if there is another type of officiant that you may use.
2
Use your license. You are required to use your license in the sixty days after you receive it.
3
Return the marriage license to the County Clerk. Send the marriage license back to the County Clerk's office where you applied. After you receive it, you have sixty days to do this.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Picking a Location and Date

1
Pick the right season. Arkansas’ weather is generally temperate throughout the year. Summer and winter are volatile seasons. If you are looking for nice, agreeable weather, then you should try to have your wedding in the spring or fall. ^{[7]
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www.arkansas.com/travel-tools/weather-in-arkansas/}
- The average high temperature in spring is 81°F (27°C) and the average low temperature is 40°F (4°C).^{[8]
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  www.arkansas.com/travel-tools/weather-in-arkansas/}
- The average high temperature in fall is 75°F(24°C) and the average low temperature is 34°F(1°C).^{[9]
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  www.arkansas.com/travel-tools/weather-in-arkansas/}
2
Find a ceremony venue. Choosing a venue will involve different factors. For example, you probably will want an indoors space during the winter. There are many resources available on the web. Try looking through the state tourism website venue list.
- Generally, you will not need a wedding permit. However, if your wedding is on city property, then you must apply for a permit. Venues with parks usually necessitate permits. A huge event may require a permit as well.
3
Look for a wedding reception location online. You will want to find a place that will accommodate all your guests. Again, the Arkansas state tourism website is a resource you can use.
- Try searching through websites, such as the Knot or Weddingwire, that keep lists of wedding reception venues.
- Very popular Arkansas wedding reception venues include:
  - Alda's Magnolia Hill (Little Rock, Arkansas)
  - 1905 Park Basin Hotel (Eureka Springs, Arkansas)
  - 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa (Eureka Springs, Arkansas)
  - The Garden Room (Fayetteville, Arkansas)

Community Q&A

Question

Is there a waiting period after getting the marriage license?

Community Answer

No, you can get married immediately after obtaining the license.
Question

Does my property also become my spouse's property when we get married?

Community Answer

In the state of Arkansas, a spouse's property will become yours as soon as the marriage license is filed in the county. Deeds, mortgages, titles, etc. will still have your spouse's name and anybody else's who he/she has partnered with on mortgages, deeds, etc. If your spouse dies, you will receive their share of debt or property once a death certificate has been filed, unless the spouse has left a will or the document states otherwise.
Question

Do I need a witness to get married in Arkansas?

Community Answer

No, witnesses are optional, but make sure the officiant is registered with one of the 75 counties in Arkansas.