Keney & Tracy

Boston City Hall

Boston offers several locations to get your marriage certificate and get legally married. If you're looking for a simple, intimate, and meaningful way to say “I do,” a Boston City Hall wedding could be the perfect option. It is more architectural than both Somerville and Cambridge City Halls so the photos will look more urban, and is more accessible by public transit. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your City Hall wedding.

There are several steps to getting married at Boston City Hall.

Step 1: Make a Marriage Intention appointment online. 

The intent of this appointment is to apply for a Marriage License in person. After you book this appointment, you will receive an email link to a Marriage Intention form that you need to complete. 

Step 2: Attend your Marriage Intention appointment.

At your appointment, both you and your partner must be present to apply in person, and you can do this at any city or town hall in Massachusetts.

What You’ll Need When You Go:

  • A valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.)
  • A $50 application fee (payable by cash, credit/debit card, or check)
  • Your social security numbers (you don’t need the actual cards, just the numbers)

After submitting your marriage application, there’s a mandatory three-day waiting period before you can pick up your marriage license. However, if you’re in a rush, you can request a waiver of this waiting period for an additional fee by filing with the Boston Municipal Court.

Step 3: Schedule your wedding ceremony

Once the three-day waiting period is over, you’ll need to return to City Hall to pick up your marriage license.  The marriage license is valid for 60 days, so you’ll have plenty of time to plan your ceremony. The wedding ceremony costs $75 ($60 plus a $15 City service fee). Cash only! The wedding ceremony will take about 15 minutes. Here's what to expect at the ceremony:

  • an exchange of vows.
  • an optional exchange of rings. Some couples exchange rings, some do not. There is no legal requirement to exchange rings.
  • A pronouncement of marriage by the officiant.

There are two locations within Boston City Hall where you can choose to get married.

  • The photos in this post are in the City Clerk's Office, Room 601. Appointments for ceremonies in this space must be made at this link: click here. 
  • You can also get married through the Registry Division, Room 213; here's a link to photos of the space. Appointments for ceremonies in this space must be made at this link: click here. This space is bigger and allows for 14 guests seated and 20 guests standing.

Step 4: Plan out your day!

A city hall wedding is a blank canvas! Think of it as a milestone in your relationship and use the opportunity to create a meaningful memory for you and your partner.

  • Dress intentionally: Dress and suit? Or perhaps jeans and a T-shirt? The choice is entirely yours.
  • Bring celebratory props: Bring flowers! Or champagne / cider! Maybe a tiny lil cake you can cut together!
  • Bring a photographer: This is all a sales pitch, didn't you know 😉 I love photographing intimate ceremonies, hire me!
  • Invite your closest loved ones: You can bring a few guests to witness your ceremony. While City Hall isn’t designed for large gatherings, you can still have your nearest and dearest with you to celebrate.

Boston Public Library Ceremonies

You can also consider the BPL for a marginally more elaborate ceremony. They offer $200 packages for one hour of access for a wedding ceremony in the Guastavino Room. The packages are offered on select Mondays, and there is an application you need to submit to confirm availability.

Advantages to having a ceremony at the BPL:

  • The Gustavino Room at the BPL offers an elegant, intimate setting with stunning architectural details, providing a more personalized and visually appealing venue than the functional, formal space at City Hall.
  • The 1-hour package at the BPL offers a longer, more relaxed ceremony with time for detailed photos and personalization, making it ideal for couples who want artistic, intimate images. In contrast, City Hall ceremonies are typically shorter (15-20 minutes), limiting time for both photos and personal touches.

If you’re planning your Boston City Hall wedding, I’d be honored to help document this special moment for you. Feel free to reach out below, or check out some of my past City Hall wedding galleries for inspiration.  

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