Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 207, § 19 (2026)

Intention of marriage; situs; time; fees

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 19. Persons intending to be joined in marriage in the commonwealth shall, not less than three days before their marriage, jointly cause notice of their intention to be filed in the office of the clerk or registrar of any city or town in the commonwealth, and pay the fee provided by clause (42) of section thirty-four of chapter two hundred and sixty-two. In computing the three day period specified in this section and in determining the third day referred to in section twenty-eight, Sundays and holidays shall be counted.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases, 2003–2006 · leading case: Goodridge v. Dep't of Pub. Health, 440 Mass. 309 (Mass. 2003).

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Goodridge v. Dep't of Pub. Health, 440 Mass. 309 (Mass. 2003). “See G. L. c. 207, § 19. In each case, the clerk either refused to accept the notice of intention to marry or denied a marriage license to the couple on the ground that Massachusetts does not recognize same-sex marriage.”

Cote-Whitacre v. Dep't of Pub. Health, 446 Mass. 350 (Mass. 2006). “4 See G. L. c. 207, §§ 19, 20. The notice shall include “a statement of absence of any legal impediment to the marriage, to be given before such town clerk under oath by both of the parties to the intended marriage.”

Cote-Whitacre v. Dep't of Pub. Health, 18 Mass. L. Rptr. 190 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2004). · cites it 3× ““In each case, the clerk either refused to accept the notices of intention to marry or denied a marriage license to the couple on the ground that Massachusetts does not recognize same-sex marriage. Because obtaining a marriage license is a necessary prerequisite to civil…”

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