Today, few states require blood tests to be taken before applying for a marriage license.  The following statistics are from May of 2004, however, it is always a good idea to check with your state to find out if any of the requirements have recently changed.

STATE                       WAITING PERIOD                                  BLOOD TEST

Alabama                       None                                                                       No___
Alaska                           3 Days                                                                     No___
Arizona                         None                                                                        No___
Arkansas                      None                                                                        No___
California                     None                                                                         No___
Colorado                       None                                                                        No___
Connecticut                  None                                                                        No___
Delaware                      1 Day-resident; 4 Days-non-resident       __  ____ No___
Dist. of Columbia        5 Days                                                                   _ Yes__
Florida                          3 Days                                                                      No___
Georgia                         None                                                                        Yes___
Hawaii                           None                                                                        No___
Idaho                             None                                                                        No___
Illinois                          1 Day                                                                         No___
Indiana                        3 Days in some counties                                  _ _ _ Yes____
Iowa                               3 Days                                                                      No___
Kansas                          3 Days                                                                       No___
Kentucky                     None                                                                          No___
Louisiana                     3 Days                                                                        No___
Maine                           3 Days                                                                       No___
Maryland                     2 Days                                                                       No___
Massachusettes          3 Days                                                                       Yes___
Michigan                      3 Days                                                                       No___
Minnesota                    5 Days                                                                       No___
Mississippi                   3 Days                                                                       Yes___
Missouri                       3 Days                                                                        No___
Montanta                     None                                                                          Yes___
Nebraska                     None                                                                          No___
Nevada                         None                                                                          No___
New Hampshire          3 Days                                                                        No___
New Jersey                  72 Hours                                                                   No___
New Mexico                 None                                                                          No___
New York                      24 Hours                                                                 No___
North Carolina             None                                                                         No___
North Dakota               None                                                                         No___
Ohio                                None                                                                        No___
Oklahoma                      None                                                                        Yes ___
Oregon                           3 Days                                                                      No___
Pennsylvania                3 Days                                                                       No___
Rhode Island                None                                                                          No___
South Carolina             1 Day                                                                         No___
South Dakota               None                                                                          No___
Tennessee                    None                                                                           No___
Texas                            72 Hours                                                                    No___
Utah                               None                                                                          No___
Vermont                       None                                                                           No___
Virginia                         None                                                                           No___
Washington                  3 Days                                                                         No___
West Virginia               None                                                                           No___
Wisconsin                      6 Days                                                                        No___
Wyoming                      None                                                                           No___

Remember this is to be used only as a guideline.  Laws governing blood test and waiting period requirements can change quickly and frequently, so be sure to check with your state before applying for a marriage license.  Waiting periods are normally from the day of application.

You should apply for your marriage license no later than 2 - 3 weeks before your wedding date.  You will need find the marriage license bureau in the city or town where the ceremony will take place.  Before stopping in, be sure to call ahead and found our the following details:

*  The bureau’s address and business hours.
*  Best days and time of day to come.
*  Are blood tests required?
*  Within how many weeks of the wedding must you apply?
*  How long is the license good for?
*  What forms of identification are required for you to bring with you?
*  The cost and payment options.

If blood tests are required in your state, make an appointment to have them done.  Once you have the test results, you will need to to the bureau and apply for the marriage license together.  

After you’ve gotten your license, be sure to give it to your officiant on or before your wedding day.  You will all sign it after the ceremony and he will take care of filing it with the proper authorities.  You should receive your copy of the marriage certificate within a few weeks. 

* It’s a good idea to request extra copies for name change purposes after the wedding.  Be sure to always keep a copy of your marriage certificate in a safe place.