When the bride and/or groom are not able to appear in person to complete the application

The easiest way to obtain a Douglas County marriage license is for both the prospective bride and groom to come to the Douglas County Clerk’s office to fill out the application. The whole process takes about 30 minutes, and the office is open from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Since there is no waiting period in Nebraska, it is common for couples who do not reside in this area to come to the office on the same day or a day or two prior to the ceremony to obtain their license.

We recognize, however, that in rare circumstances a couple may need to obtain a license with one or both of them not able to appear in person to complete the application process. In that case, you need to:

• Download the application and complete it.
• Include a certified money order for $15.00 (or for $20.00 if you would like a certified copy of the license mailed to you after the marriage ceremony is performed). We do not accept checks. Please do not send cash.
• The money order should be made out to the Douglas County Clerk/Comptroller. It is not necessary to include money for postage.
• You must also include a clear, readable copy of your identification when you mail back the completed application.
• Mail the application to:
  Douglas County Clerk/Comptroller
  1819 Farnam St., Room H08 
  Omaha, NE 68183

Please note:

• Any applications that are mailed without a money order for the fee will not be processed, but will be returned to the sender.
  
• Any applications that are not filled out completely (except for the section at the bottom titled "For Official Use Only") will not be processed, but will be returned to the sender.
  
• Any applications that are returned without clear, readable copies of the required identification will not be processed, but will be returned to the sender.

The license will be processed and returned to the sender. Please make sure you specify where you want the license sent to. Included with your license will be:

• A keepsake copy of the license for your records.
• Instructions on how the person performing the ceremony needs to complete the license and the keepsake.
• Information on how to change your name with the Social Security Administration and your driver's license.

When you receive the license, it will be necessary for the bride and groom to sign the actual marriage license in the presence of a notary public, and swear that the information on the application is the truth to the best of their knowledge. The license must be signed and dated by the bride and groom before the ceremony is performed.

The signature needs to be identical to the complete name that was entered in box 3 (for the groom) and box 10a (for the bride), including the middle name.

• The groom needs to sign in box 17.
• The bride needs to sign in box 18.
• The notary needs to sign in boxes 19b and 20b.

Please note: Since state statute dictates that the license is only good for one year, the date of issuance will be the date the license is issued by the Douglas County Clerk, not the date signed by the bride, groom and notary.

Please note: Processing the license by mail takes an extended period of time. Please start the process early to make sure you are able to get it all done in time for your wedding ceremony.

The Douglas County Clerk/Comptroller cannot be responsible for applications or licenses lost in the mail. 

All of the requirements apply.