How to Elope in Vermont
No surprise here, but the last few years has seen a major swing in couples deciding to elope in Vermont. Being a part of those moments has become one of my favorite parts of being an intimate wedding photographer, and more and more I’ve fielded questions from my couples about how the heck they’re legally supposed to get married. So, I put together this handy guide on how to legally get married in Vermont!
Looking for more in-depth timeline planning for your elopement? Read my approach here.
Disclaimer: This guide assumes you’re getting married in Vermont - each state is different with the laws you need to follow, so be sure to check your state’s marriage laws ahead of time. You can find the official Vermont guidelines on getting married here.
Steps to Legally Getting Married
Apply for your marriage license In order to get legally married in Vermont, you must submit an application for a marriage license. You can download the application here, and it must be submitted in person after you both sign. Where you submit the application depends on where you live:
If you live in Vermont You’ll have to submit your application to the town clerk of the town one of you lives in, even if you’re getting married in a different town.
If you live outside of Vermont You can pick any town clerk in Vermont, and again it can be in a different town from where you’re getting married.
Once you’ve paid for and received your license, you have 60 days to hold your elopement ceremony.
Pick your officiant The state of Vermont only requires an officiant to make your ceremony legal, and you have endless options for who that can be. You can hire an officiant or justice of the peace to lead your ceremony, and they’ll take care of making sure everything’s legal. You can also have a friend or family member make it official - Vermont offers temporary officiant status for a fee. Most elopement photographers are licensed to officiate and can sign your paperwork - myself included! This is a great option for folks who want to self-lead their ceremony or do something a little more casual.
Submit the license Once you’ve held your ceremony, your officiant must submit your license back to the town clerk that issued your license within 10 days after. It must be signed by the couple as well as the officiant to be submitted, so make sure that’s done during your elopement! Once that’s submitted the town clerk will keep the original marriage license and can give out marriage certificates on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can get married in Vermont?
Any consenting couple over the age of 18 can get married in Vermont, and you don’t have to be a resident to get married here. Vermont was the first state to legalize same-sex marriages, and they do a lot to continue to protect those rights for LGBTQ+ couples.
Can I submit my marriage application online or through the mail?
You must submit your application in person at the town clerk’s office, and both of you must sign it. The town clerk will sign your marriage license before giving it to you in person.
How long after I get my license can I get married?
After receiving your license, you have 60 days to hold your ceremony in Vermont. If you go past 60 days, you’ll need to apply for a new license.
Do we need a witness for our ceremony?
Vermont only requires an officiant to sign your license. This is great for couples who are looking to have a ceremony with just the two of them + their officiant/photographer.
How do I get a copy of my marriage certificate?
When you apply for your license at the town clerk’s office, you can pay an additional fee to get a copy of your certificate in the mail. You can also submit for a copy two weeks after your license was submitted.
Where do you recommend eloping in Vermont?
I wrote an entire blog post on my favorite spots to elope! You can read it here.
