A couple filling out a marriage license application at Boston City Hall

A marriage license application in Massachusetts is not just paperwork. It is a sworn legal document, and the information you provide on it carries real consequences if it turns out to be false.

When you and your partner visit Boston City Hall to file your Intention of Marriage form, both of you are affirming that everything on that document is accurate. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 207 governs marriage licensing in the state, and the courts take false statements on these forms seriously.

Most couples fill out their applications honestly without a second thought. But if you are concerned about a past mistake, or you are wondering what would happen if something on your application turns out to be inaccurate, here is what you need to know about the legal risks in Boston and across Massachusetts.

What You Must Disclose on the Massachusetts Marriage Intention Form

The Massachusetts Marriage Intention form asks for specific personal details from both parties. Understanding what the form requires helps explain why accuracy matters so much.

Both you and your partner must provide:

  • Full legal names (first, middle, last, and any former surnames)
  • Dates and places of birth (city, state, and country)
  • Current residential addresses
  • Occupations
  • Current marital status, including details about any prior marriages. If you were previously married, you must indicate whether that marriage ended through divorce, annulment, or death of a spouse. Divorcees need to provide the date their divorce was finalized, and those with annulments must supply the relevant court paperwork.
  • Parents’ names, including maiden names where applicable
  • Whether your parents were married at the time of your birth

Both parties must also present a valid government-issued photo ID and provide their Social Security numbers. The current filing fee is $50, and both partners must appear in person at the city clerk’s office.

After filing, there is a three-day waiting period before your marriage license becomes available. Once issued, the license is valid for 60 days anywhere in Massachusetts.

Criminal Penalties Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 207

Lying on a marriage license application is a criminal offense in Massachusetts. Under state law, knowingly making a false statement on a government document can be prosecuted as perjury or fraud, depending on the nature and severity of the falsehood.

Perjury is a felony in Massachusetts. Knowingly making a false statement on your marriage license application can result in charges carrying up to 20 years in state prison. If you realize you provided incorrect information, contact the Boston City Clerk's office or consult a family law attorney before the issue compounds.

The potential criminal consequences include:

  • Perjury charges. Since you are swearing that the information is true, a deliberate lie can be treated as perjury. In Massachusetts, perjury is a felony that carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in state prison.
  • Fraud charges. If the false statement was made to gain a specific benefit (such as tax advantages, immigration status, or insurance coverage), prosecutors may pursue fraud charges in addition to or instead of perjury.
  • Fines. Criminal convictions for false statements on legal documents typically come with financial penalties on top of any potential jail time.

Prosecution for minor, unintentional errors is extremely rare. Prosecutors focus their resources on cases involving deliberate deception for material gain, not on someone who accidentally listed the wrong middle name.

Void vs. Voidable Marriages in Massachusetts

One of the most significant consequences of lying on a marriage license is the possibility that your marriage could be declared void or voidable by a court.

Void marriages are treated as though they never legally existed. In Massachusetts, a marriage is automatically void if it involves bigamy (one party is still legally married to someone else) or if the parties are too closely related. No court action is needed for a void marriage, as it was never valid in the first place.

Voidable marriages can be challenged and annulled by a court, but they remain legally valid until someone takes action. A marriage might be voidable if one party lied about something material on the application, such as their identity, age, or marital history.

For most couples, the risk of invalidation is low. Courts in Massachusetts generally view small inaccuracies as harmless errors that do not affect the fundamental validity of the marriage. A judge is unlikely to invalidate your marriage because you listed the wrong occupation or made a typo in your address.

The situations that do lead to invalidation tend to involve serious deception: concealing a prior marriage that was never legally dissolved, misrepresenting your age when you are below the legal threshold, or entering into a marriage arrangement solely for fraudulent purposes.

Immigration and Federal Marriage Fraud Consequences

Marriage fraud takes on an additional layer of severity when immigration is involved. Entering into a marriage primarily to circumvent U.S. immigration laws is a federal crime under 8 U.S.C. Section 1325(c), and the penalties are steep.

Federal marriage fraud carries separate penalties. If a marriage is entered into primarily to circumvent immigration laws, both parties face up to five years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000 under 8 U.S.C. Section 1325(c). The non-citizen spouse may also be deported and permanently barred from future immigration benefits.

Under federal law, marriage fraud for immigration purposes can result in:

  • Up to five years in federal prison
  • Fines of up to $250,000
  • Deportation for the non-citizen spouse
  • Permanent bars from future immigration benefits

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) actively investigates suspected marriage fraud cases. Investigators conduct interviews with both spouses (separately), visit homes, review financial records, and speak with neighbors and family members. If the investigation reveals that the marriage was entered into fraudulently, both parties can face prosecution.

Boston, as a major metropolitan area with a large immigrant population, sees a consistent number of federal investigations into marriage-related immigration fraud each year.

What to Do If You Made a Mistake on Your Application

If you realize that you provided incorrect information on your marriage license application, the best course of action depends on the nature of the error.

For genuine mistakes (a misspelled name, wrong address, incorrect date), contact the Boston City Clerk’s office as soon as possible. Administrative errors can typically be corrected through an amendment process. The sooner you address it, the simpler the correction will be.

For more serious omissions (such as failing to disclose a prior marriage), consult with a family law attorney before taking any steps. An attorney can help you understand your options, including whether a corrected application or a new filing is the appropriate path forward. If you are also considering a prenuptial agreement, an attorney can address both matters at once.

For ongoing concerns about a past application, speak with a lawyer privately. An attorney can evaluate your specific situation and advise you on whether any action is needed or whether the issue is unlikely to ever surface.

The key principle is straightforward: honesty is always the safest choice, and addressing errors early is always better than hoping they go unnoticed.

How to Fill Out Your Boston Marriage License Correctly

The simplest way to protect yourself is to fill out your marriage license application carefully and honestly. Here are a few practical steps:

Bring your documents to the clerk's office. Having your government-issued ID, Social Security number, divorce decrees, and any other relevant court paperwork ready before you visit reduces the chance of errors on your Intention of Marriage form. The $50 filing fee applies to both partners, who must appear in person.

Gather your documents first. Before visiting the clerk’s office, collect your government-issued ID, Social Security number, and any relevant court documents (divorce decrees, annulment papers, death certificates from a prior spouse). Having everything in hand reduces the chance of errors.

Know your family details. The application asks about your parents’ names and marital status at the time of your birth. If you are unsure about any of these details, check with family members beforehand or request copies of relevant birth or marriage certificates.

Ask questions at the clerk’s office. If you are unsure how to answer a particular question on the form, ask the clerk for guidance. They process hundreds of these applications and can help you understand what is being asked.

Review before you sign. Take a moment to read through the completed form before submitting it. A quick review catches most simple errors.

If you are planning a courthouse wedding in Boston and want to avoid common mistakes, preparation is your best tool. Couples who arrive with the right documents and accurate information rarely run into issues with their marriage license.

Your Boston Wedding Starts With the Right Paperwork

Your marriage license is the legal foundation of your wedding day. Whether you are planning a simple ceremony at city hall or a larger celebration with reception ideas to match, getting the paperwork right matters.

Massachusetts makes the process relatively straightforward compared to many states. There is no blood test requirement, no residency requirement, and the three-day waiting period is short by national standards. The state also fully recognizes same-sex marriages, and couples can designate a friend or family member to officiate their ceremony through the One-Day Marriage Designation form.

Keep in mind that your Massachusetts marriage license is valid only within the state. If you decide to hold your ceremony in another state, you will need to apply for a license there instead.

By filling out your application honestly and thoroughly, you set your marriage up on solid legal ground from day one. That peace of mind is worth far more than any shortcut.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if you accidentally put wrong information on a marriage license in Massachusetts?

Minor errors like a misspelled name or incorrect address can be corrected by contacting the Boston City Clerk’s office. Administrative mistakes are handled through an amendment process and do not carry criminal penalties. Prosecutors only pursue cases involving deliberate, material deception.

Can your marriage be annulled if you lied on the application?

Yes. If one party lied about something material, such as concealing a prior undissolved marriage, misrepresenting their age, or hiding their true identity, a Massachusetts court can declare the marriage voidable and grant an annulment. Small inaccuracies like a wrong occupation or address typo will not lead to annulment.

Is lying on a marriage license a felony in Massachusetts?

It can be. Knowingly making a false statement on a marriage license application can be prosecuted as perjury under Massachusetts law, which is a felony carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years in state prison. Fraud charges may also apply if the false statement was made to gain benefits like tax advantages or immigration status.

Marriage fraud committed to circumvent U.S. immigration laws is a federal crime under 8 U.S.C. Section 1325(c). Penalties include up to five years in federal prison, fines up to $250,000, deportation for the non-citizen spouse, and permanent bars from future immigration benefits. USCIS actively investigates suspected cases.

How long is a Massachusetts marriage license valid after you file the application?

After filing the Intention of Marriage form at the Boston City Clerk’s office, there is a mandatory three-day waiting period. Once your marriage license is issued, it remains valid for 60 days and can be used for a ceremony anywhere in Massachusetts. It is not valid in other states.