Getting married while incarcerated is possible but the process varies significantly by facility, jurisdiction, and security level. Some facilities actively facilitate inmate marriages. Others make it extremely difficult. This section covers how to request permission to marry an incarcerated person, what the facility approval process typically looks like, what documentation is required, how the ceremony is conducted, what legal rights a prison marriage carries, and what practical considerations families should think through before pursuing marriage during incarceration. The questions answered here come from people in real relationships navigating this decision with limited information. The guidance is practical and honest about both the possibilities and the challenges. Marriage during incarceration can be a meaningful source of stability and commitment for both parties when approached with clear eyes and realistic expectations. See also our sections on Visitation, Relationship Issues, and Family Services.
Related InmateAid Services
Subject: Marriage in prison
Probably not. Inmate marriage is usually reserved for long-term offenders. The county jails are not equiped to handle an inmate wedding.
Subject: Marriage in prison
Technically it may be possible, but practically speaking it is unlikely to get approved and probably not worth pursuing.
Inmate marriage requests go through the warden's office and require administrative approval. Facilities are more inclined to accommodate marriage requests when the inmate is facing a long sentence and the union serves a meaningful purpose in terms of legal rights, visitation, or financial matters. When someone is a few months from walking out the door on work release, the facility's response is...
Read moreSubject: Marriage in prison
Your inmate has to fit the profile of what the facility will permit in the way of a marriage. We suggest having them contact their counselor and/or chaplain to get the specifics. If they have a long sentence, there is a chance but if it's short they will never allow it.
Subject: Marriage in prison
The only inmates allowed to get married are ones with long sentences and good behavior. It sounds like your inmate is just starting the process. If he's eligible for a bond that means he has most probably not been sentenced
Subject: Marriage in prison
Getting married in the prison is not granted to all inmates. For instance, short-timers never usually get an approval. Your inmate would have to qualify for the privilege. The candidate for marriage is a long time sentence with good behavior in a prison system that permits it. To start the process, have your inmate meet with the chaplain to see if he qualifies and go from there.
Subject: Marriage in prison
Yes, we have seen inmates in federal prison be granted a wedding. Under the right circumstances this can be done. There are some strict guidelines, you should have your inmate talk to his Unit Team Manager and find out what the requirements are. Obviously the inmate would have to have an impeccible record and the length of sentence has bearing on their willingness to allow this privilege.
Subject: Marriage in prison
It is possible but not guaranteed at a parish jail. In Louisiana, parishes function the same way counties do in other states, and Bossier Parish Jail is a local facility. County and parish-level jails are significantly less likely to permit inmate marriages than state or federal prisons, which typically have formal procedures in place for long-term inmates.
The first step is to call the facility and ask to speak with the chaplain. The chaplain is the person most likely to know...
Read moreSubject: Marriage in prison
No, no place will allow an inmate to marry with a 60 sentence.
Subject: Marriage in prison
It is possible but not guaranteed, and the answer depends heavily on why he is there. Not every detention facility allows marriages to take place, and the ones that do have specific rules about who is eligible and how the process works.
If he is being held as an ICE detainee, the situation is more complicated. Immigration authorities typically do not permit detained individuals to marry while in immigration custody because it can be viewed as an attempt to establish a...
Read moreSubject: Marriage in prison
The facilities that allow for inmate marriages are mostly state and federal prison facilities for inmates that have reasonably long sentences. The INS detainees are usually in the privately run detention centers. We do not think that there are provisions for inmate marriage there, but we encourage you to call the facility and ask to speak with a case manager or chaplain to get all the details. We would not mention the part about "so he doesn't get deported".
Subject: Marriage in prison
Some federal facilities allow inmates to wed, but we are uncertain if the private prison groups like CCA or GEO allow them. We do not think they allow them but we encourage you to call there and ask to speak with a case manager, they will have the correct answer for you. 505-285-4900
Subject: Marriage in prison
We don't think it will be easy or inexpensive. There will be court filings and maybe an appearance before a judge, at least one time . The facility will not allow you to go into civil court for a divorce. Our advise is to wait until you both are released.
Subject: Marriage in prison
It depends upon where the inmate is incarcerated and how long they have on their sentence. If he is awaiting transfer, the county jail will not perform a marriage but the chaplain at the state or federal facility might.
Subject: Marriage in prison
You may marry an inmate is many of the institutions. There are some stipulations and requirements. We encourage you to call the chaplain at the facility and ask whether this is allowed there or not. Also, your inmate cannot be a "short-timer" as they will encourage you to wait until they are released. Your will need to file for a marriage license.
Subject: Marriage in prison
Yes you can in some cases, it depends where they are incarcerated and how much time they have remaining on their sentence. You should read some of the other questions/answers we have posted in "Ask the Inmate" within this category. If you have a question that was not covered, we will be happy to answer it for you.
