New London County Marriage Records

New London County marriage license records are held by town clerks across the county. The county sits in the southeast corner of Connecticut. It borders Long Island Sound and the state of Rhode Island. Couples apply for marriage licenses at the town level in this area. Each town clerk in New London County keeps their own marriage records. You must apply in the town where your ceremony will occur.

New London County Marriage License Overview

Getting a marriage license in New London County starts at the town clerk's office. The county has over twenty towns. Each one issues its own marriage licenses. You must pick the town where your wedding will happen. This rule applies to all towns in New London County. The license you get is good anywhere in Connecticut.

New London County sits along the coast. It draws many couples for beach weddings. The area has a rich history of marriage records. Groton was once known as a "Gretna Green" spot. Couples went there for quick weddings. Today, the process is the same in all towns. The state sets the rules under Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 815e.

Major towns in New London County include Norwich, Groton, and New London. Norwich has the largest population. Groton and New London are close behind. Each town clerk handles marriage licenses for their area. You cannot use a New London town license in another state. But you can use it in any Connecticut town.

Town Clerks in New London County

Town clerks in New London County keep all marriage records for their towns. They issue licenses. They record ceremonies. They sell certified copies. Each clerk runs their own office. Hours and services vary by town. Call before you visit.

The New London Town Clerk office sits in the heart of the city. The address is 181 State Street. The phone number is (860) 447-5205. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This office serves couples getting married in New London. They handle many requests each year.

Norwich is the largest city in New London County. Their Town Clerk is at 100 Broadway. The phone is (860) 823-3732. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Norwich office processes many marriage licenses. Their staff can answer questions about the forms.

Groton Town Clerk is at 45 Fort Hill Road. The phone number is (860) 441-6640. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Groton has a unique place in New London County history. It was once a quick marriage spot. Couples came from other states to wed there. Today, Groton follows the same rules as other towns.

Note: Always call ahead to confirm hours before visiting a New London County town clerk office.

New London County Marriage Requirements

The rules for getting married in New London County match state law. Both parties must appear in person. You cannot send a friend or family member. You must go to the town clerk together. This rule helps stop fraud. It also ensures both people agree to the marriage.

You need photo ID to get a marriage license in New London County. A driver's license works. So does a passport or state ID. The ID must show your legal name and birth date. Some clerks may ask for proof of address. Others may not. Call ahead to learn what to bring.

Age rules apply in New London County. You must be 18 to marry without consent. Those aged 16 or 17 need a parent's okay. No one under 16 can marry in Connecticut. These rules come from C.G.S. § 46b-20. The town clerk will check your age. Bring proof if you look young.

If you were married before, bring proof it ended. A divorce decree works. So does a death certificate. The paper must be the final copy. It needs a judge's signature and date. Pending divorces do not count. The clerk needs to see the marriage is truly over.

The license fee is $50 in most New London County towns. Some towns may add small fees. Cash is always accepted. Many towns take checks or cards too. The fee is not refundable. Make sure you are ready to marry before you pay.

Getting Your New London County Marriage Certificate

After your wedding, you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate. This proves you are married. You need it to change your name. You need it for joint accounts. Insurance and passport offices may ask for it too. New London County couples have several ways to get copies.

The town clerk who issued your license can make copies. Visit them in person for same-day service. Most New London County towns charge $20 for the first certified copy. Extra copies cost less. Bring your photo ID. Only certain people can get copies. This includes the couple and close family.

You can also order from the Connecticut State Vital Records Office. They keep all marriage records from 1897 to now. Their office is in Hartford. You can visit in person or order by mail. They also take online orders through VitalChek. The state fee is $20 per copy. Mail orders take 10 to 12 weeks. Rush service costs more but moves faster.

To order by mail, use the form from the Connecticut DPH applications page. Send it with payment and a copy of your ID. Include both names and the wedding date. Double-check all details. Errors slow down your order.

New London County Marriage License Validity

Your New London County marriage license is good for 65 days. This is set by C.G.S. § 46b-24. You must have your ceremony within this window. If you wait too long, the license expires. You will need to apply again. You will pay the fee again too.

Most licenses become active 24 hours after issue. Some towns may vary. Ask your clerk when you apply. Plan your ceremony date with this in mind. Do not cut it too close. Give yourself a buffer in case plans change.

The license works in any Connecticut town. You do not have to marry in the town that issued it. But you cannot use it in another state. If you want to marry outside Connecticut, get a license there. New London County licenses are for Connecticut ceremonies only.

Note: There is no waiting period to apply, but the license may have a brief delay before it becomes valid for ceremony use.

Cities in New London County

New London County has many towns and cities. Each has its own town clerk. The largest is Norwich with nearly 40,000 people. Groton follows with about 38,000. New London city has around 28,000 residents. All three have full-service clerk offices.

Other towns in New London County include Waterford, Montville, East Lyme, Ledyard, Stonington, North Stonington, Griswold, Lebanon, Sprague, Lisbon, Preston, Salem, and Voluntown. Each town clerk issues marriage licenses for ceremonies in their town. Visit our cities page for more details on each location.