The whole process has five steps. The details — fees, waits, witnesses — live on your county page; this is the shape of the journey.
1. Pick your county and read its page. In most states you can apply in any county and marry anywhere in the state; a few states tie the ceremony to the issuing county. Your state guide page states the rule. 2. Apply for the license. Both of you, together, at the clerk’s office, with ID and the license fee. Some counties start the application online — your county page says. 3. Wait out the waiting period. Zero days in some states, up to a few days in others, sometimes waived with a course certificate or a judge’s order. The clock is in your county page’s waiting-period field. 4. The ceremony. If your courthouse performs ceremonies, book it — popular courthouses fill Fridays weeks out. If it doesn’t, any authorized officiant can marry you anywhere the license is valid. Bring the witnesses your state requires. 5. Record and order copies. The signed license goes back to the clerk for recording; then order certified copies of the marriage certificate for name changes, insurance, and everything else.