If you’re planning a wedding in Holland, Massachusetts, congratulations! You’ve chosen one of the most beautiful corners of New England to say “I do.” But before the ceremony, the flowers, and the first dance, there’s one essential step: getting your marriage license.
This guide covers everything you need to know — with a few insider tips from a couple who got married right here at Mishnoah Retreat.
Here’s exactly what you need to do.
Step 1: Gather Your Officiant’s Information First
Before you visit Town Hall, make sure you know who will be officiating your ceremony and have their information on hand. You’ll need to provide officiant details on the marriage intention form, so having this sorted ahead of time will make the process smoother for everyone.
Massachusetts recognizes four types of officiants:
- In-state clergy members who are already authorized to perform ceremonies in Massachusetts.
- Out-of-state clergy members or Justices of the Peace who need to file a Non-Resident Clergy Petition with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. This takes about 2–4 weeks, so plan ahead. The application should be filed no more than 6 weeks before your wedding date.
A Justice of the Peace residing in Massachusetts.
- A Justice of the Peace residing in Massachusetts.
- A friend or family member with a One-Day Marriage Designation. They apply online through the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office (mass.gov), and it costs $25. Applications can be submitted between 6 months and 1 week before the wedding. There’s no residency requirement for the applicant or either partner. If you’re considering this route, encourage your chosen person to start the application process early so it’s one less thing to think about as the big day approaches.
Step 2: Call the Holland Town Clerk
The person you want to speak with is Valerie Lundin at the Holland Town Clerk’s office.
Holland Town Hall
27 Sturbridge Road, 2nd Floor
Holland, MA 01521
Phone: (413) 245-7108 x102
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Closed on Fridays.
The building is right next to Holland’s charming one-room library with a parking lot in between. You can’t miss it.
Pro tip: call ahead. When you call, Valerie can have the Notice of Intention of Marriage form printed and ready for you when you arrive. You’re already juggling a hundred wedding details — a quick phone call means fewer surprises, less paperwork stress in the moment, and a better chance that everything is filled out right the first time. One less thing to worry about on your to-do list.
Step 3: Visit Town Hall In Person
Both partners must appear in person, together, at the Town Clerk’s office to fill out the Notice of Intention of Marriage form. This is a Massachusetts state requirement. It can’t be done by mail or online.
What to bring:
- Valid photo ID with proof of age for both partners (driver’s license or passport)
- Your officiant’s information (name, title, address)
- $15 in exact cash or a check made payable to the Town of Holland (plan ahead on this one — they may not have change or accept cards)
You’ll both swear or affirm an oath under penalty of perjury as part of the filing. No blood test is required.
A note if you’ve been previously married: You don’t need to bring your divorce decree, but you must be certain your divorce is final and absolute. If you’re unsure of the exact date your divorce became final, contact the court where it was granted before filing your marriage intentions.
Step 4: Wait Three Days
Massachusetts requires a 3-day waiting period after you file your intentions before the marriage license can be issued.
Pro tip: If your wedding is on a Saturday, try to file your intentions by Monday at the latest — and honestly, earlier is even better. The Town Clerk’s office is closed on Fridays, and the clerk may have other days off during the week, so filing early gives you a comfortable buffer.
In rare cases, you can petition a district court judge to waive the waiting period, but there’s a separate court fee involved and it’s generally only granted for special circumstances.
Step 5: Pick Up Your Marriage License
Once the 3-day waiting period has passed, your marriage license is ready. You can pick it up at the same Town Clerk’s office where you filed.
Important details about your license:
- It’s valid for 60 days from the date you filed your intentions.
- It can be used anywhere in Massachusetts — not just in Holland.
- If you don’t get married within 60 days, you’ll need to start the process over.
Step 6: Get Married
This is the part you’ve been dreaming about! Whether your ceremony is lakeside, in the forest, or in a beautiful event space, your officiant will conduct the ceremony and sign the marriage license.
Step 7: Return the Signed License
After the ceremony, the signed marriage license must be returned to the Town Clerk who issued it. In this case, Valerie at Holland Town Hall. This needs to happen before the 60-day expiration.
Many people assume the officiant handles this, and they certainly can. But you can also return it yourselves — it’s a simple trip to Town Hall, and it gives you peace of mind knowing it’s taken care of.
Your marriage is not officially recorded until the signed license has been returned and filed with the Town Clerk. Don’t let this step slip through the cracks in the post-wedding whirlwind.
Step 8: Order Your Marriage Certificate
Once the license is filed, you can order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Holland Town Clerk’s office. Each certified copy costs $15.
One thing worth knowing: your marriage certificate is permanently on file in the town where you filed your intentions — not the town where the ceremony took place. So even if your ceremony is elsewhere in Massachusetts, your certificate lives in Holland.
Quick Reference
| What | Details |
| Where to file | Holland Town Hall, 27 Sturbridge Rd, 2nd Floor |
| Who to contact | Valerie Lundin, Town Clerk |
| Phone | (413) 245-7108 x102 |
| Hours | Mon–Thu, 9 AM – 2 PM (closed Fridays) |
| Filing fee | $15 (exact cash or check) |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| License valid for | 60 days, anywhere in MA |
| Certificate copies | $15 each |
| Residency required? | No — you don't need to live in Holland or MA |
| One-Day Officiant fee | $25 (applied through mass.gov) |
You Don’t Have to Live in Holland to Get Married Here
One of the most common questions couples ask: do I need to be a Massachusetts resident? The answer is no. You can file your marriage intentions in any Massachusetts city or town, regardless of where you live or where your ceremony will be held. Holland’s small-town warmth and easy process make it a lovely place to take care of this important step — especially if you’re already here to celebrate.
Planning a Wedding in Holland?
If you’re looking for a place to hold your ceremony and celebration, we’d love for you to consider Mishnoah Retreat. Set on the shores of a tranquil lake and surrounded by forest, our grounds offer a setting that feels worlds away — with ceremony sites by the water, cozy cabins for your guests, and a charming event space with post-and-beam ceilings and a warm fireplace. We host weddings in the summer and fall, and we’d be honored to be part of your story.