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.