Marriage Laws in the US

Marriage Laws in the USA - Part 2

Blood Tests Required or Waiting Periods?

Every couple that wishes to marry must comply with a states requirements. Only a few states require a blood test these days or a blood test and physical examination before marriage to show whether one party is infected with an STD - (most often the test is for Syphilis). In some states, for example, the clerk is forbidden to issue a marriage license until the parties present the results of the blood test.

Here is a summary of each state’s laws regarding premarital procedures, including blood tests and waiting periods before marriage. However, because state laws in this area have been changing rapidly -- many states have recently eliminated blood tests, SO, check with your county clerk’s office if you are planning on getting married or want the most up-to-date status in your state. These are from May 2004.

State Directory	Waiting Period	Blood Tests
Alabama	None	No.
Alaska	3 days from time of application	No.
Arizona	None	No.
Arkansas	None	No.
California	None	No.
Colorado	None	No.
Connecticut	None	No.
Delaware	1 day for residents; 4 days for nonresidents	No.
District of Columbia	5 days	Yes.
Florida	3 days	No.
Georgia	None	Yes.
Hawaii	None	No.
Idaho	None	No.
Illinois	1 day	No.
Indiana	3 days in some counties	Yes.
Iowa	3 days from time of application	No.
Kansas	3 days from time of application	No.
Kentucky	None	No.
Louisiana	3 days	No.
Maine	3 days from time of application	No.
Maryland	2 days	No.
Massachusetts	3 days from time of application	Yes.
Michigan	3 days from time of application	No.
Minnesota	5 days from time of application	No.
Mississippi	3 days	Yes.
Missouri	3 days from time of application	No.
Montana	None	Yes.
Nebraska	None	No.
Nevada	None	No.
New Hampshire	3 days from time of application	No.
New Jersey	72 hours	No.
New Mexico	None	No.
New York	24 hours from time of application	No.
North Carolina	None	No.
North Dakota	None	No.
Ohio	None	No.
Oklahoma	None	Yes.
Oregon	3 days	No.
Pennsylvania	3 days from time of application	No.
Rhode Island	None	No.
South Carolina	1 day from application	No.
South Dakota	None	No.
Tennessee	None	No.
Texas	72 hours	No.
Utah	None	No.
Vermont	None	No.
Virginia	None	No.
Washington	3 days from time of application	No.
West Virginia	None	No.
Wisconsin	6 days from time of application	No.
Wyoming	None	No.

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