COVID-19 Marriage License Update
On Monday, 4/20/2020, Williams County will resume issuing marriage licenses on an appointment
basis for couples that are getting married within the next 14 days. Please contact the Auditor's Office at 701-577-4500 to obtain a Marriage License pre-application and schedule an appointment.
Both parties must be present for the appointment. Appointments will take place at the Williams County Administration Building at 206 East Broadway in downtown Williston; please call 701-577-4500 to notify the Auditor's Office that you have arrived. We ask that you do not bring children or additional individuals with you to the appointment.
You must bring the following items with you to the appointment:
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Current
photo identification for both parties
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Certified
Divorce papers (if you are widowed, we do not need a death certificate)
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$65
cash only, exact amount
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A marriage license is required to be considered legally married in the state of North Dakota. Licenses are available for purchase from the Williams County Auditor's Office, Monday through Friday, between 8 am and 4:45 pm.
A license is $65.00 (cash) or $68.00 (credit card); checks are not accepted.
Once the marriage license is obtained a ceremony, conducted by an officiant and attended by two witnesses, must occur within 60 days for the marriage to be considered legal. There is no waiting period; you can get married right away. Once the officiant and witnesses sign the license, the license must be returned to the Auditor's Office within 5 business days of the ceremony. If the ceremony does not occur within 60 days, the license will expire and a new one will need to be obtained.
Certified copies of marriage licenses can also be obtained from the Auditor's Office for $10 per copy. A certified copy of a marriage license is required to complete a legal name change or to prove a marriage occurred.