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South Marriage Guide

Arkansas Marriage Laws

General wedding officiant guidance for marriage licenses, ceremony requirements, witnesses, and returning the signed license.

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Buffalo National River, an iconic place in Arkansas

Image source: Buffalo National River via Wikimedia Commons

License Office

County clerk or local marriage license office

License Validity

Varies by state or issuing county

Waiting Period

Check with the issuing office

Return Deadline

Return deadline varies by state or county

Detailed Arkansas Wedding Law Notes

These notes summarize state marriage-license, ceremony, witness, and officiant guidance for the new map experience.

Requirements for the Couple

  • Minimum Age: 18 years (17 with guardian consent)
  • Residency: Not Required
  • Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
  • Marriage Equality: Yes
  • Documents Required: Credentials of Ministry
  • Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
  • Registration Office: County Clerk

Couples must be 18+ to marry or 17 with parental consent. There are no residency requirements, and same-sex marriages are fully recognized.

Marriage License Facts

  • Ceremony Type: Religious
  • Waiting Period: None (5 days for minors)
  • License Validity: 60 Days
  • Submission Deadline: By Expiration
  • Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
  • Minister Presence: Required
  • Witnesses Required: None
  • Minimum Age: 18 years (17 with guardian consent)
  • Residency: Not Required
  • Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
  • Marriage Equality: Yes

Marriage licenses are valid statewide for 60 days. Licenses must be returned whether or not the wedding occurs.

Requirements for the Minister

  • Minimum Age: 18 years
  • Residency: Not Required
  • Documents Required: Credentials of Ministry
  • Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
  • Registration Office: County Clerk
  • Ceremony Type: Religious
  • Waiting Period: None (5 days for minors)
  • License Validity: 60 Days
  • Submission Deadline: By Expiration

Ministers must be 18+ and ordained through Ministries of Love. They must register their credentials at the County Clerk’s office before officiating.

Wedding Ceremony Requirements

  • Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
  • Minister Presence: Required
  • Witnesses Required: None
  • Minimum Age: 18 years (17 with guardian consent)
  • Residency: Not Required
  • Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
  • Marriage Equality: Yes
  • Documents Required: Credentials of Ministry
  • Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
  • Registration Office: County Clerk
  • Ceremony Type: Religious
  • Waiting Period: None (5 days for minors)
  • License Validity: 60 Days
  • Submission Deadline: By Expiration

The minister and both members of the couple must be physically present. The ceremony must include the couple’s verbal consent (“I do”) and the minister’s pronouncement of marriage.

Wedding Ceremony Requirements

Witnesses

Witness requirements vary by state

Ceremony

The couple and officiant should be present unless the state specifically allows another process

Requirements for the Officiant

Ordained ministers should verify any local registration rules before the ceremony

OrdainedPro recommends that every officiant confirm local requirements before the ceremony date, especially if the wedding is in a county or state where the officiant has not performed before.

This page is general information and not legal advice. Marriage laws and county filing processes can change. Always verify requirements with the issuing clerk, recorder, probate court, or local marriage office before performing a ceremony.