Request to Marry an Inmate Form - Click Form to Download
Boyd County Detention Center
Request to Marry Process
Individuals wishing to marry an inmate currently housed at the Boyd County Detention Center must follow the process outlined below. All marriage requests are subject to approval by Detention Center administration and applicable facility rules, staffing, and security requirements.
Step 1 – Obtain and Complete a Request to Get Married Form
The person wishing to marry an inmate must obtain and complete a Request to Get Married Form.
The form may be obtained in either of the following ways:
- Online: Visit boydcountyjail.com. From the top of the webpage, select the Inmate Services tab and then select the Inmate Marriage subheading.
- In Person: A copy of the form may be picked up at the Boyd County Detention Center during regular business hours.
The completed Request to Get Married Form may be submitted by:
- Email: Send the completed form to info@boydcountyjail.com.
- In Person: Drop off the completed form at the Boyd County Detention Center during regular business hours.
The request must include:
- Full legal name of the person making the request.
- Required personal and contact information.
- Full legal name of the inmate they wish to marry.
- Any other information requested by the Boyd County Detention Center.
- The name of the person who will perform the marriage ceremony.
- The name of the requested witness, if applicable.
The form will also ask:
Have you already obtained a marriage license from the County Clerk?
- Yes
- No
If No, a valid marriage license must be obtained before the marriage request can be processed or approved.
Step 2 – Obtain the Marriage License
The parties are responsible for obtaining a valid marriage license from the appropriate County Clerk's Office and for meeting all legal requirements associated with obtaining the license.
Once a marriage license has been obtained, it may be brought to the Boyd County Detention Center Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., excluding holidays, so arrangements can be made for the incarcerated individual to complete any required signature.
Obtaining the marriage license and satisfying all requirements of the issuing County Clerk are the responsibility of the individuals requesting the marriage.
Warden/Jailer Affidavits
Some County Clerk offices may provide or require a Warden/Jailer Affidavit or similar document as part of their marriage-license process for an incarcerated individual.
The Boyd County Detention Center and Boyd County Jailer will not complete or execute a Warden/Jailer Affidavit that requires the Jailer to swear or attest to personal information, facts, or circumstances that are not within the Jailer's personal knowledge or contained within information available to the Detention Center.
Individuals should contact the County Clerk issuing the marriage license regarding any alternative procedures or documentation that may be accepted.
Step 3 – Identify the Person Performing the Ceremony
The Request to Get Married Form must list the full name of the individual who will perform the marriage ceremony.
The person performing the ceremony must be legally authorized to perform marriages in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The Boyd County Detention Center reserves the right to request documentation, credentials, or other proof demonstrating that the individual is legally authorized to perform the ceremony.
Step 4 – Witness
The couple may request to have one witness present for the ceremony in addition to the person performing the marriage.
The requested witness is subject to approval by the Boyd County Detention Center and must comply with all facility rules and security procedures.
Step 5 – Scheduling of Marriage Ceremonies
Marriage ceremonies at the Boyd County Detention Center will be conducted on Tuesdays only, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
The specific time of the ceremony will be determined or approved by Detention Center staff based upon facility operations, staffing, and security needs.
Exceptions to the Tuesday-only scheduling requirement may be authorized only by the Boyd County Jailer. Any exception will be considered on a case-by-case basis. An exception is not guaranteed and should not be assumed or relied upon when making arrangements with an officiant, witness, or other participant.
Step 6 – Security and Search Requirements
All individuals entering the Boyd County Detention Center for a marriage ceremony are subject to search and security screening.
Anyone who refuses to comply with a search, security screening, identification requirement, or instruction from Detention Center staff will not be permitted to enter the secure area or participate in the ceremony.
No unauthorized items or contraband may be brought into the facility.
Step 7 – Appropriate Clothing
All individuals attending the ceremony must wear appropriate clothing suitable for entry into a correctional facility.
Revealing, transparent, excessively tight, or otherwise inappropriate clothing will not be permitted. Clothing displaying offensive language or images, gang-related material, or anything determined to present a security concern is prohibited.
Detention Center staff will make the final determination regarding whether clothing is appropriate for entry into the facility.
Step 8 – Ceremony and Physical Contact
A Boyd County Detention Center deputy will be present at all times during the marriage ceremony.
Because the ceremony is being conducted inside a secure correctional facility, physical contact between the inmate and other participants will be limited.
At the direction of the supervising deputy, the inmate and spouse may be permitted a brief moment of appropriate physical contact associated with the ceremony. No additional or prolonged physical contact will be permitted.
All participants must immediately comply with instructions given by Detention Center staff.
Cancellation or Termination of Ceremony
Approval or scheduling of a marriage ceremony does not guarantee that the ceremony will occur.
The Boyd County Detention Center reserves the right to delay, reschedule, cancel, deny, or immediately terminate a marriage ceremony at any time when necessary for the safety, security, or orderly operation of the facility.
Reasons may include, but are not limited to:
- A security threat, emergency, lockdown, or other operational need within the facility.
- Inappropriate or disruptive behavior by the inmate.
- Inappropriate or disruptive behavior by the intended spouse, witness, officiant, or other participant.
- Failure to follow staff instructions or facility rules.
- Introduction or attempted introduction of contraband.
- Refusal to comply with search or security procedures.
- A change in the inmate's custody, disciplinary, or housing status.
- Insufficient staffing or other circumstances affecting safe facility operations.
- Any other circumstance determined by the Jailer, administration, or supervising staff to present a safety, security, or operational concern.
All marriage ceremonies conducted at the Boyd County Detention Center are subject to facility approval, staffing availability, security considerations, and applicable law