License Permits

To obtain a marriage license, BOTH PARTIES MUST APPEAR TOGETHER.

In order to receive a marriage license, applicants will need to bring the following information with them:

Social security number
If you do not have a social security number, you must go to the Social Security Office and obtain a letter explaining why you do not have a number. Bring the letter and a valid passport with you when applying for your marriage license.
The Social Security Office is located at 1249 S Vinnell Way, Suite 101 in Boise.

State or military-issued photo ID or valid passport
City and state of birth
$30 in cash (price includes mailing of a certified copy)
To receive a marriage license, Idaho Code 32-412A requires both parties read an AIDS information sheet and sign the Marriage License Affidavit.

Do you accept a credit/debit card?
No, we only accept cash. There is an ATM inside the building.

Do I need to be a resident of Idaho to obtain a marriage license?
No; however, with an Idaho State Marriage License, you must get married in Idaho.

Is there a waiting period before using the license?
No, you may get married the same day.

When we receive the Marriage License, are we married?
No, an authorized clergy member, judge, or other designated official, like a mayor or the governor, must perform the ceremony.

Are marriage ceremonies performed in the clerk’s office?
No, you may contact a judge to make an appointment for the same day you pick up your marriage license or for a future date. A list of judges is available at our office.

Who is authorized to perform a marriage ceremony in Idaho?
In Idaho, a wedding officiant must be authorized under Idaho Code Section 32-303. Authorized individuals include:

• Justice of the Supreme Court (current and retired)
• Appeals Judge (current and retired)
•  District Judge (current and retired)
• Governor (current and former)
•  Magistrate of the District Court (current and retired)
• Idaho Mayors (current)
• Federal Judge (current)
• Tribal Judge (current)
• Lieutenant Governor (current)
• A Priest or Minister of the Gospel of any denomination or faith

Is my last name automatically changed after the ceremony?
No, you must present a certified copy of your Marriage License to both the Social Security Office and the Department of Motor Vehicles. A certified copy of your marriage license will be mailed to your current address after the Recorder’s Office receives the bottom section from your officiant.

When will the Marriage License expire?
There is no expiration date on your marriage license. If a certified copy of your marriage license is not returned to our office within a year of your date of marriage, please contact Vital Statistics at (208) 334-5980.

What if an applicant is not 18 years old?
Applicants who are 16 or 17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (legal guardians must supply a certified copy of their appointment of guardianship). The applicant must present one of the following four items:

• Original birth certificate or certified copy
• Current driver’s license
• Passport
• State ID card

A parent or legal guardian must complete the following:

• Affidavit of Consent to Marriage of Minor

Parents or legal guardian will need to bring in a State or Federally issued picture ID for notarizing the affidavit when signing it.

Anyone who is younger than 16 years old will need a court order approving the marriage prior to applying for a marriage license.

What is required if one party is incarcerated?
If one of the individuals applying for a marriage license is currently incarcerated, obtaining a license becomes a multi-day, two-step process. You will not leave with a marriage license after your first visit.

The first step is obtaining all the needed information for the license from the person who is incarcerated, including birth date, city and state of birth, full legal name, and social security number. Once you have that information, the marriage application can be started.

After all, information is entered for both parties, an affidavit will be printed.  The available party will sign the document but it then must be taken to the person who is incarcerated to be signed and notarized. In addition, an HIV/AIDS pamphlet will be given to them and the signature page must be returned with the affidavit.

The completed forms (HIV/AIDS signature page, affidavit and notary jurat) must be returned by the non-incarcerated applicant to the Recorders Office to finish the marriage license.

At this time, the $30.00 cash fee will be collected and the license will be issued.

Can a marriage license be issued to a dual incarcerated or dual military (not in Idaho) applicants?
Yes.  A marriage license may be issued to dual incarcerated or dual military (not in Idaho) applicants.  This process will be similar to the format outlined for a single party incarcerated or military applicant but requires a third party to bring the needed information to both applicants to be signed and notarized.  The third party will need to be 18 years of age or older and provide state or federally issued photo identification.  The identification for the third party will be verified both times so that we can confirm who is being given all documents.  The third party will be responsible for paying the $30.00 cash fee for the marriage license and will be responsible to bring the marriage license to one of the applicants.

Although a marriage license is issued, State law does not recognize telephonic or video marriage as a valid marriage ceremony.  Additionally, if the applicants are not married in the State of Idaho (with both applicants in State), an Idaho marriage license is not valid.

What is the process if English is not the applicant’s primary language?
If either applicant requires the assistance of a translator, please contact the Recorder’s Office prior to coming in for the marriage license.  A court-approved translator will be provided through scheduled appointments only.  We will not be able to move forward with a marriage license without a proper translator due to applicants being required to provide specific information and sign a legal affidavit.

In the event that required documentation (such as a birth certificate for any applicant under the age of 18) is written in a language other than English, a translator will be required.  The court-appointed translator will provide the Recorder’s Office the parent(s) name(s), applicant name, and date of birth. An original birth certificate or certified copy is required for the translator to read over.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Recorder’s Office at (208) 287-6840.

Our Online Marriage Application site is now available.  Please see the site for requirements and fees. Once you fill out the online application, come into the Ada County Clerk’s Office to prove your identity and pay for the license. Please remember that payments are only accepted in cash.

Anyone who is selling alcohol in Ada County must have a valid license. Below you will find information on how you can obtain, renew or transfer a liquor license.

Please bring the following information to the Recorder’s Office:

• Completed Alcohol Beverage Application
  • This must be signed in front of the County Recorder Deputy or notarized
• Copy of your Idaho State Alcohol Beverage License
• Consent from landlord/property owner to sell and/or serve alcohol on the premise (may be included in the lease agreement)
• Copy of premise lease or deed if the business owns the property
• If the premise is located within unincorporated Ada County (outside of city limits), you must obtain consensual signatures of 75% of homeowners within a 1,000-foot radius of the premise. Please review the Alcohol Beverage License Ordinance if you have any questions.
• A licensee must be signed by the Ada County Sheriff; Ada County Recorder’s office will obtain his signature
  • Do not take the application to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office
  • Alcohol Beverage Licenses must be submitted to the Ada County Recorder by 5 p.m. Wednesday in order to ensure there is enough time to obtain the Sheriff’s signature for the Ada County Commissioner’s meeting the following week

Please bring the following information to the Recorder’s Office:

• Completed Alcohol Beverage Application
  • This must be signed in front of the County Recorder Deputy or notarized
• Copy of your Idaho State Alcohol Beverage License
• Consent from landlord/property owner to sell and/or serve alcohol on the premise (may be included in the lease agreement)
• Copy of premise lease or deed if the business owns the property
• Original Ada County License from establishment or owner (old license)
• $5 transfer fee per license
•  The license must be signed by the Ada County Sheriff; Ada County Recorder’s office will obtain his signature
  • Do not take the application to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office
  • Alcohol Beverage Licenses must be submitted to the Ada County Recorder by 5 p.m. Wednesday in order to ensure there is enough time to obtain the Sheriff’s signature for the Ada County Commissioner’s meeting the following week

Renewal applications are available here from February through the last week of April

Please bring the following information to the Recorder’s Office:

• Name of the applicant on the license you are renewing
• If the name of the applicant/business owner has changed you will need to fill out paperwork to transfer the license
• If DBA (doing business as) has changed, please bring documentation from the Secretary of State or Idaho Tax Commission showing the change
• Name of the business
• Mailing address for the business
• Physical address of the business
• Phone number and email of applicant
• List of officers or members of the corporation, LLC or association if listed as owner
• Copy of your Idaho State Alcohol Beverage License  for the renewal year
• Ada County Commissioners must approve alcohol beverage license renewals. Applications must be in prior to noon on Friday to make it onto the commissioner meeting’s agenda for the following week. Please plan appropriately.

Licenses are valid from May 1, or the date of issue, through April 30.

Beer:

• $25.00     Retail only, off-premise consumption
• $75.00     Bottles and cans on-premise consumption
• $100.00   Draft, bottles, and cans for on and off-premise consumption

Wine:

• $100.00   Retail only, off-premise consumption
• $100.00   Retail and by the drink, on and off premise consumption

Liquor:

• $187.50   By the drink on-premise consumption only
• $100.00   By the drink for on-premise consumption only at racing facilities and eligible golf courses

Please note: you must have a beer license to be eligible for a wine or liquor license. Wine is included in the liquor license price.

License transfer fee: $5.00 per transfer

From November 1 through April 30, alcohol beverage license fees are pro-rated by half.

Alcohol Beverage License Ordinance

A county catering permit is required for events serving liquor, beer or wine in unincorporated parts of Ada County. Within city limits, individuals need to check with their City Clerk on the specific requirements.

Complete and submit a Catering Permit Application

• An organization or individual with a liquor license must be willing to allow you to use their license for your event. You will need the signature of the licensee and their liquor license number to complete the application
• The application must be submitted to Ada County Recorder’s Office two weeks prior to the event
• Applications require the signature of the Ada County Sheriff; Ada County Recorder’s office will obtain his signature
  • Do not take the application to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office
  • Applications must be submitted by Wednesday at 5 p.m. to ensure there is enough time to get the Sheriff’s signature for the Ada County Commissioner’s meeting the following week.  Once the Sheriff’s Office approves the application, it will be added to the commissioner meeting agenda by noon on Friday for the following week. Please plan appropriately.
• If the commissioners approve your catering permit, you may pick it up on Tuesday afternoon following their meeting
• Permits cost $20 per day, with a maximum of five consecutive days. All fees must be paid when you submit your application.  These fees are non-refundable regardless if the catering permit is approved or denied

Please submit your completed application two weeks before your event. Ada County Commissioners meet each Tuesday to approve catering permits. To be put on their meeting agenda, your application must be signed by the Sheriff’s Office and added to the agenda by noon on Friday prior to the meeting.

Where to get a permit:

You can download the catering permit application or fill out the form at the Ada County Recorder’s Office during normal business hours.

Location:
Ada County Courthouse
200 W Front Street 
Boise, ID 83702

Vehicle escort licenses are needed to assist with funeral processions, parades, moving buildings or large equipment (Ada County Ordinance No. 220). To apply for a license, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 years old
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Live in Idaho for at least six months prior to the date of application
• You must not have been convicted of a felony, reckless driving, failure to stop or failure to report an accident for the past three years
• Complete Vehicle Escort License application
• Pay $20 annual fee
• Provide three reputable individuals who support you receiving a license
• Fingerprints of an applicant (applicant must pay fingerprinting fee)

Ada County will provide a license for a business in the form of a certificate. The business will provide the identification badges for each applicant. Click here to download an application.

In order for licenses to be processed by the end of the week, submissions must be received no later than noon on Fridays.

Vehicle escort licenses are valid from the date they are issued through December 31 of that same calendar year.

Anyone who is trying to sell products or services door to door, either a peddler or solicitor, in unincorporated Ada County must obtain a license.

A peddler is anyone who goes upon the premises of any private residence in unincorporated Ada County, not having been invited by the occupant thereof, who sells or offers to sell any commodity or article of any nature. This definition includes, but is not limited to, any person who solicits orders and makes deliveries to purchasers.

A solicitor is any person who goes upon the premises of any private residence in unincorporated Ada County, not having been invited by the occupant thereof, for the purpose of taking orders for, or offering to take orders for, goods, wares, or merchandise, or any article for future delivery, or for services to be performed in the future, or for making, manufacturing or repairing of any article or thing whatsoever for future delivery.

Complete a Solicitor & Peddler License Application 

• $50 application fee
• Two photographs of the applicant, measuring 2″ x 2″, showing the head and shoulders of the applicant in a clear, distinguishable manner
• Criminal History Record (applicant obtains a fingerprint card from Clerk’s Office then submits to ID State Police, Bureau of Criminal Identification)
• Applications must be accompanied by a cashier’s check, surety bond or letter of credit for at least $1,000 per application. A business association, company or corporation with multiple employees must file a bond covering all employees or agents in the amount of $1,000 each with a maximum of $5,000.

• Peddler and solicitor licenses expire one year from date of issuance
• A license must be worn and clearly displayed by each peddler and solicitor
• It is unlawful to transfer any license
• A violation of this ordinance shall be treated as a misdemeanor crime and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine as provided by Ada County Code 4-1-14
• Peddlers and solicitors shall only engage in activities between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and one hour following sunset
• Child labor restrictions, including minimum age to work, apply to solicitors and peddlers