Guam § 3202 - Marriage Licenses.
Full text of Guam Guam Code Annotated § 3202 — Marriage Licenses., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 3202. Marriage Licenses.
(a) All persons about to be joined in marriage must first obtain a license
therefore, from the Department of Public Health and Social Services, which
license shall state:
(1) the identity of the parties;
(2) their full names, residence, and place of birth;
(3) their date of birth;
(4) their citizenship;
(5) if an alien, whether a resident alien or a non-immigrant alien;
(6) the number of previous marriages, wherever contracted and
how terminated; the occupations of the parties; the surname of each, if
previously married; the names and birthplaces of each; and, the maiden
name of the mother of each;
(7) whether a spouse elects to retain his or her surname upon
marriage as provided for by § 3108;
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(8) whether either party elects to hyphenate or change his or her
surname upon marriage as provided for by § 3108;
(9) whether either party elects to retain or change his or her
middle name upon marriage as provided for by § 3108;
(10) the social security number of each party; and, if a party does
not have a Social Security Number, he or she must state that fact; and
(11) whether the applicants elect to have their marriage
solemnized by a village Mayor or Vice Mayor.
(b) No license shall be issued when either of the applicants therefore is
an imbecile, insane as determined by the proper authority or who, at the time
of making of the application of proof required for said license, is under the
influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug.
(1) If an applicant is under the age of eighteen (18) and has not
been previously married, no license shall be issued unless the consent
in writing of a parent or guardian of the person under age is presented
with the application.
(A) A consent must be verified and such consent shall be
retained with the application in the files of the Department of
Public Health and Social Services.
(B) The fact of the consent shall be noted upon the license.
(C) In addition to the consent required, no license shall be
issued for any person between the age of sixteen (16) and eighteen
(18) unless the marriage of that person has been approved by an
order in writing issued from the Superior Court.
(D) A license to marry shall not be issued to any person under
the age of sixteen (16) unless the court authorizes a license to be
issued to an applicant who is under sixteen (16) and with a child.
(2) No license shall be issued permitting marriage between first
cousins, between an adoptive parent and an adoptive child, between a
step-parent and a step-child or between a guardian and a ward unless a
written order authorizing such a marriage has been issued by the
Superior Court.
(c) Applications for a marriage license shall be made on a form
prescribed by the Director of Public Health and Social Services and must be
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sworn to by both applicants before the Director of Public Health and Social
Services or his delegate.
(1) No license shall be issued until after the expiration of five (5)
days after filing of the application, unless the applicant shall pay a
waiver fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00).
(2) Upon paying the waiver fee, the Director of Public Health and
Social Services or his delegate may authorize the immediate issuance of
a marriage license.
(d) For the purpose of ascertaining all facts mentioned or required in
this Section, the Director of Public Health and Social Services, or his
designee, may examine under oath, or require written affidavits from, the
applicants for a license and as many supporting witnesses as he deems
necessary.
(1) Such examination shall be reduced to writing and subscribed
by all parties swearing to the facts therein.
(A) In the case of termination of a previous marriage by
divorce or annulment, the applicant shall furnish a certified copy
of the final decree of divorce or annulment.
(B) In the case of termination of a previous marriage by death
of the spouse, the applicant shall furnish a certified copy of the
record of death.
(2) If a certified copy of a final decree or divorce, annulment or
record of death as required herein is not available, the applicant may
submit in lieu thereof an affidavit setting forth, in such form as the
Director may require, the reason why it is not obtainable.
(e) Any application for a marriage license and any related document on
file with the Director of Public and Health and Social Services shall be open
to public inspection.
(f) Any person who shall swear falsely to an application for a marriage
license, or who shall make or present any false affidavit, statement, or
testimony in any proceeding under Subsection (d), shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor.
(g) No marriage license shall be effective nor shall it authorize the
performance of a marriage ceremony after the expiration of sixty (60) days
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from the date of issuance of such license. This provision shall be printed on
each license in prominent type.
(h) The Director of Public Health and Social Services and his designees
are authorized to administer oaths in connection with the administration of
this Section.
(i) A fee of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) shall accompany each application
for a marriage license and shall not be refunded if the license is not issued or
used. No marriage license fees collected by the government of Guam prior
to the enactment of this Section shall be refunded.
(j) All applicants electing to have their marriage solemnized by a
village mayor or vice mayor shall pay to the Mayors Council of Guam
Revolving Fund the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50.00), which shall be paid at
least three (3) days prior to the date of the marriage ceremony. The Mayors
Council of Guam treasurer shall transfer the amount to the appropriate
officiating municipality’s non-appropriated funds (NAF) village account.
(k) The Mayors of Council of Guam shall submit a quarterly report in
writing to the Speaker of I Liheslatura, to include, but not limited to, the
name of the mayor or vice-mayor performing the civil wedding ceremony,
the total number of civil weddings each mayor or vice-mayor performed each
month, the names of the individuals for which the ceremony was performed,
the date of the wedding, and the amount of money collected for all civil
weddings performed. This information shall be posted monthly on the
Mayors Council of Guam website.
Source: official Guam text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Guam § 3202
What does Guam Code Annotated § 3202 cover?
Section 3202 ("Marriage Licenses.") is part of the Guam Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Guam. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Guam § 3202?
A common citation format is "Guam Code Annotated § 3202" (Guam). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Guam law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Guam official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Guam attorney.
How does Guam § 3202 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Guam can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Guam.