Several U.S. states incentivize premarital education by reducing the marriage license fee for couples who complete a state-approved course. The savings range from $25 to $60 depending on the state — and in some cases, the course also waives the waiting period, making it doubly worthwhile.
States That Offer the Premarital Course Discount
Florida — Save $25, Waive the Waiting Period
Florida's premarital discount is the most well-known. Florida Statutes §741.0305 provides a $25 reduction in the marriage license fee and waiver of the 3-day waiting period for couples who both complete a state-approved premarital preparation course of at least 4 hours.
What qualifies: Any course certified by the Florida Commission on Marriage and Family Counselors or taught by a licensed marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, psychologist, social worker, or a recognized religious institution. Many online options are available and accepted.
How to claim: Present the course completion certificate at the time of license application. The clerk reduces the fee and the waiting period waiver is applied automatically. The certificate cannot be submitted after the fact.
Cost of the course: $25–$75 depending on provider. Online courses are widely available for under $30. Even at $75, the waiting period waiver alone is worth it for many couples.
Texas — Save $60 on the License Fee
Texas offers the largest dollar-value discount. Texas Family Code §2.203 reduces the $82 marriage license fee to $22 — a $60 reduction — for couples who present a premarital education course completion certificate at the time of application.
What qualifies: Texas-approved premarital education providers must be licensed counselors, psychologists, social workers, or clergy. The course must be at least 8 hours. Search "Texas Premarital Education Preparation (PREP) approved providers" at the Texas Department of Health Services website for current certified providers.
How to claim: Present the certificate at the county clerk's office when applying. Both parties must have completed the course. The discount is applied immediately to the fee.
Note: The Texas course discount does not waive the 72-hour waiting period — that requires a separate judicial waiver.
Minnesota — Fee Reduction
Minnesota offers a fee reduction for couples who complete a premarital education program. The standard fee in Minnesota counties ranges from $85–$115; couples with a qualifying certificate typically receive a $25–$50 reduction depending on the county.
Minnesota programs must be at least 12 hours and offered by licensed professionals or religious institutions. Contact your county clerk for approved providers in your area.
Tennessee — Discounted Fee
Tennessee Code Annotated §36-3-103 provides a fee reduction for completion of a premarital counseling program. Tennessee's standard fee is approximately $97–$102; the discount reduces it by $60 in most counties. Programs must be at least 4 hours and conducted by a licensed professional or recognized religious institution.
Other States With Education Requirements or Incentives
Several other states have premarital education components that don't necessarily reduce fees but affect the process:
- Oklahoma: Has promoted premarital counseling through a covenant marriage option with educational requirements — but this affects the type of marriage entered, not the standard license fee.
- Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana: Offer a "covenant marriage" option that requires premarital counseling but is distinct from a standard marriage license.
Is the Course Worth It?
From a pure economics standpoint, the Texas course is clearly worthwhile — save $60 on a $35–$75 course, and you break even or profit. Florida's course is worthwhile if you're a Florida resident who wants the waiting period waived, or if the $25 savings + convenience matters to you.
Beyond the financial calculation, premarital courses consistently show positive effects on communication, conflict resolution skills, and relationship satisfaction in research studies — making them worthwhile regardless of the fee discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Florida and Texas, yes — both states accept online courses from approved providers. In Minnesota and Tennessee, check with your county clerk for whether online courses are accepted by your specific county. Online course availability and approval varies.
Yes, in all states offering the discount. The certificate must be presented at the time of application — you cannot receive the discount retroactively after the license has been issued at full price. Complete the course and obtain the certificate before your clerk's office visit.
Religious institution courses often qualify, but the institution and course format must meet state requirements. In Texas, courses offered by recognized religious institutions qualify if they meet the 8-hour minimum. In Florida, courses by recognized religious institutions qualify if they meet the 4-hour minimum. Bring documentation from your church showing the course name, duration, and that it was conducted by a qualified person.
How Premarital Education Actually Reduces Divorce Risk
Beyond the financial incentives, the research case for premarital education is strong. A 2012 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that couples who participated in premarital education reported significantly higher levels of marital satisfaction, better communication skills, and lower rates of divorce in the years following the course compared to couples who did not participate. The effect sizes were modest but consistent across studies.
The most extensively studied program is PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program), which forms the basis for many state-approved courses. PREP covers communication skills, conflict resolution, expectations alignment, and financial planning. Many couples report that the 4–8 hours of coursework surfaces practical issues — differing expectations about money, household responsibilities, or family involvement — that they had not explicitly discussed before.
Online vs. In-Person Courses
For Florida and Texas (the two states with the most significant financial incentives), online courses are widely accepted. Several providers offer state-approved online programs:
- PREPARE/ENRICH: An assessment-based program that generates a personalized couple report. Widely used by licensed counselors and clergy. Both online and facilitated versions available. Cost: typically $35–$60.
- Within My Reach / Two of Us: Programs offered through various county-level programs, sometimes subsidized or free for lower-income couples in specific states.
- Church-based programs: Pre-Cana (Catholic), Engaged Encounter, and denominational premarital counseling programs through various Protestant denominations are typically accepted in all states that offer discounts, provided the program meets the minimum hour requirement and is conducted by a qualifying leader.
When selecting a provider, verify two things: (1) the program meets your state's hour minimum, and (2) the provider can give you a certificate that includes the provider's credentials and the date and duration of the program. Bring this certificate to the county clerk on the day you apply — it cannot be submitted after the fact.
States Considering New Discounts
Several states have introduced legislation in recent sessions to create or expand premarital education incentives, including Georgia, Virginia, and Michigan. These bills have not yet passed as of 2025, but the trend toward incentivizing premarital education continues. Check with your county clerk for any new programs in your state.