Who gets married in Vermont?

A Vermont Wedding is for the bride and groom who love the outdoors, are down to earth and appreciate beauty and style in the world around them. A Vermont bride looks great without makeup with her hair in a ponytail or elegantly attired in an Oscar De la Renta gown. She knows who she is and where she wants to go including what is most important to her on her wedding day! With that being said a Vermont Bride is a smart woman who wants her wedding to be gorgeous and sophisticated and not just a run of the mill occasion. She wants her guests to be blown away by the countryside and beauty of the surroundings and the surprising comfort they feel while sipping champagne. A Vermont Bride and Groom CAN HAVE it all, from blue jeans to black tie or even white tie and tails, if they so desire.

Planning your Vermont wedding.

For many couples choosing a reception site is a top item on their list and with Vermont being a four-season state couples can have just about anything they want at their dream wedding. If they want an elegant tented event or a small intimate wedding there are plenty of wedding venues and reception sites that offer a variety of options.

To some people’s surprise many popular wedding reception sites are booked two or more years in advance. Do not delay booking your wedding reception site, inquire from wedding reception sites about their available dates, and book as soon as possible if it is the date you want. If no available dates match your wedding day, go down your list until you find a wedding venue’s availability that matches yours. After the initial contact make sure you have an idea of what the place looks like and set up an appointment to visit the menu. Follow your gut instinct when you first visit the venue, if your heart doesn’t drop then maybe it’s not the right location for you. Remember to be true to yourself because the last thing you want is to be stuck with a venue that will make you unhappy on your biggest day.

In Vermont you will find unique reception venues from private country estates to historic museums, Vermont has a ton of great wedding reception and to choose from. But before you book your reception venue we suggest being prepared with a set of questions.

Reception Questions (for a onsite and off site reception).

• Is our date available ?
• How many people can your venue accommodate - seated and standing ?
• What are your fees, what is your payment plan and do you accept cash, check and credit cards (which ones) ?
• Can schedule a visit ?
• Do you have a wedding coordinator on site, if so can I have an outside wedding planner ?
• What amenities are included with your venue ?
• What menus are available ?
• What is the price range for a seated dinner ?Does this include tax and tips ?
• What is the price range for a buffet ?
• Who is responsible for trash and clean up ?
• What are the liquor requirements ?
• Where are the electric outlets ?
• May we set up a tent ?
• Are there any extra costs, if so what are they ?
• Is there a dance floor ?
• How long do we have the venue for ?
• What is your venue’s ambience, decorating style ?
• Are there any restrictions ?
• Do you have rooms available for guests ?
• Are there additional items we need to consider ?

Where will you exchange vows ?

Couples who get married in Vermont often select non-traditional venues to exchange their “I do”. Popular ceremony sites include botanical gardens, museums, country barns, at home, art galleries, in a meadow - anywhere you name it. Selecting a nontraditional wedding ceremony site is a great and memorable twist. The advantage of nontraditional ceremony sites is that it makes the exchange of vows unique. Exchanging vows in a meadow is significant to couples who want to pay their respect to the natural surroundings and feel one with nature. Another advantage is that the costs may be significantly lower and booking a date may be more flexible. Historic museums are often open seasonally and meadows are not overbooked with wedding reception, besides there is still a high number of couples who still take the traditional route. Only because nontraditional wedding reception sites are not considered by many it doesn’t excuse you from doing some research and booking ahead of time.

We recommend contacting the Vermont local chamber of commerce in the county that you opt to get married in (www.uschamber.com) and researching historic Vermont venues for availability (www.museumsusa.org). As for getting married in a barn visit www.new-england-weddings.us or do a basic google search on “vermont barn weddings”.

Vermont wedding legalities

Vermont marriage requirements

Do we need a marriage license ? Do we need blood tests ?

Before your ceremony, you must purchase a Vermont marriage license. It must be given to the officiant before your marriage is performed. While your license must be purchased up to two months before your ceremony, it “becomes void 60 days from date of issue if the proposed marriage is not solemnized.” You do not need a blood test.

Where do we get a marriage license and how much does it cost ?

If both bride and groom are Vermont residents you may go to the town clerk in either of your towns of residence. If just one of you is a resident, you must buy the license in that town. It costs $23.00.

What if we are not Vermont residents ?

First, decide where in Vermont you wish to be married. Out-of-state residents must buy their license in the county where they plan to marry. Any town clerk in that county can issue the license.

Who can get married in Vermont ?

A man and a woman who are each at least 18 years old can marry in Vermont. (Other information regarding under the age of 18 and other restrictions contact the Vermont Department of Health at 800-439-5008.)

What information must we provide to get a marriage license in Vermont ?

You must know your legal town of residence, and your place and date of birth. You will also need to know your parent’s names, including your mother’s maiden name, and the states where your parents were born. (A certified copy of your birth certificate can supply most of this information.) Vermont law requires that at least one of you sign in the presence of the town clerk, certifying that all facts are correct. However, most town clerks prefer to see both of you in person before issuing your license to marry, as the law requires that they satisfy themselves that you are both free to marry under Vermont laws. They may legally ask to see documented proof of your statements (birth certificates, divorce decrees, etc.). You will also be asked to provide information about your race, the highest grade you completed in school, the number of times you have been married, and how your previous marriage(s), if any ended. This information does not become part of the marriage certificate.

What if either of us have been married before ?

If you are a widow or widower, you are free to marry. You will be asked the date your spouse died. If you are divorced, you may remarry after the date on which your previous marriage is dissolved.

Can a marriage license be issued through the mail ?Can we be married by proxy ?

No. A marriage license cannot be issued through the mail, and you cannot be married by proxy.

Is there a waiting period ?

No.

Where can we get married ?

A Vermont license is valid only for a marriage performed in Vermont. If you are a Vermont resident or are marrying a Vermont resident, you can get married anywhere in Vermont. If you are not a Vermont resident, you must be married in the county where your license is issued.

Who can marry us ?Do we need witnesses ?

A judge, a supreme court justice, assistant judge, justice of the peace, or an ordained or licensed minister, rabbi or priest residing in Vermont can perform your ceremony. A priest, rabbi, or mister from another state can perform your ceremony if he or she first obtains a special authorization from the probate court in the district where the marriage will take place. Vermont law does not require witnesses. If you are planning a religious ceremony, check with your church or synagogue to see if religious tenets require witnesses for your marriage.

What do we do with the license ?What happens to it after the ceremony ?

By law, you must deliver the license to the person who will conduct your wedding ceremony before the marriage can be performed. After the ceremony, the person who performs the ceremony (officiant) will complete the sections concerning the date, place and officiant information, and sign your license. It must be returned by the officiant to the town clerk’s office where it was issued within 10 days, so that your ceremony may be officially registered. It is not a complete legal document, useful for passports, Social Security, etc., until it has been recorded in the town clerk’s office where it was issued.

How do we get a copy of our marriage certificate ?

When you buy your license, you can arrange with the town clerk to mail you a certified copy of your certificate as soon as your marriage is recorded. The cost is $30.00 ($23.00 for license and $7.00 for the certified copy). Or two weeks or more after the ceremony, you can request, in person or in writing, a copy from the town clerk’s office where you bought your license. Or six or more weeks after your ceremony, you may request, in person or in writing, a certified copy from the Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records Unit. Either way, the fee is $7.00, and you will receive a copy of the original certificate, embossed with the town or state seal and signed and dated by the appropriate official. This is accepted for all legal purposes.

Civil Union Requirements

A civil union is a legal relationship that provides same-sex couples in Vermont all benefits, protections and responsibilities under law are granted to spouses in a marriage.

Who can form a civil union ?

Both parties to a civil union must be of the same sex and therefore ineligible for marriage. Both parties must be at least 18 years of age, of sound mind, and not already in a marriage or another civil union. Vermont also does not allow a civil union between most close relatives. You cannot enter a civil union with a parent, grandparent, sister, brother, child, grandchild, niece, nephew, aunt or uncle. Anyone under guardianship must have the guardian sign an affidavit consenting to the union. You do not have to be Vermont residents to form a civil union in Vermont.

Do we need a license ?Do we need blood tests ?

You will need a license, but do not need blood tests, and there is no waiting period.

Where do we get a marriage license and how much does it cost ?

Licenses are issued by Vermont town clerks. If both parties are Vermont residents, you may go to the town clerk in either of your towns of residence. If just one of you resides in a Vermont town, you must buy the license in that town. The license costs $23.00 and is valid for 60 days from date of issue. During that time period, you must have the union certified by an authorized person, otherwise, the license is void.

What if we are not Vermont residents ?

If neither party is a Vermont resident, you may get the license from any town clerk in the state.

What information must we provide to get a civil union license in Vermont ?

You must know your legal town of residence, and your place and date of birth. You will also need to know your parent’s names, including your mother’s maiden name, and the states where your parents were born. (A certified copy of your birth certificate can supply most of this information.) Vermont law requires that at least one of you sign in the presence of the town clerk, certifying that all facts are correct. However, most town clerks prefer to see both of you in person before issuing your license to marry, as the law requires that they satisfy themselves that you are both free to marry under Vermont laws. They may legally ask to see documented proof of your statements (birth certificates, divorce decrees, etc.). You will also be asked to provide information about your race, the highest grade you completed in school, the number of previous marriages or civil unions and how they ended. This information is confidential and does not become part of the civil union certificate.

What if either of us have been married or in a civil union before ?

If your husband, wife, or civil union parter has died, you are free to marry to form a civil union. The clerk will ask the date your spouse or civil union partner died. If you are divorced, you may form a civil union after the date on which your previous marriage or civil union was legally dissolved.

Can a license be issued through the mail ?Can we form a civil union by proxy ?

No. A civil union license cannot be issued through the mail, and you cannot form a civil union by proxy.

Where can we have our civil union certified ?

A valid Vermont license, your civil union can be certified anywhere in Vermont, but only in Vermont.

Who can certify our civil union ?Do we need witnesses ?

A supreme court justice, a superior court judge, a district judge, a judge of probate, an assistant judge, justice of the peace, or an ordained or licensed member of the clergy residing in Vermont can certify your civil union. A clergy person residing in an adjoining state or country can certify your civil union if his or her church, temple, mosque, or other religious organization lies wholly or partly in Vermont. A clergy member residing in some other state or in Canada can certify your civil union if he or she first obtains a special authorization from the probate court in the district where the certification will take place. Vermont law does not require witnesses, but if you are planning a religious ceremony, check to see if the religion’s tenets require witnesses.

What do we do with the license ?What happens to it after the ceremony ?

By law, you must deliver the license to the person who will certify your union (officiant). After the ceremony, the officiant will complete the sections concerning the date, place and officiant information, and sign your license. At that point, the license becomes a civil union certificate. The officiant must return the certificate to the town clerk’s office where it was issued within 10 days of the certification, so that your union can be officially registered. The certificate is not a complete legal document until it has been recorded in the town clerk’s office where it was issued.

How do we get a copy of our marriage certificate ?

When you buy your license, you can arrange with the town clerk to mail you a certified copy of your certificate as soon as your marriage is recorded. The cost is $30.00 ($23.00 for license and $7.00 for the certified copy). Two weeks or more after the certification, you may request, in person or in writing, a certified copy from the Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records Unit. Either way, the fee is $7.00, and you will receive a copy of the original certificate, embossed with the town or state seal and signed and dated by the appropriate official. This is accepted in Vermont for all legal purposes as proof as a valid civil union.

Information provided by Vital Records. Call 1-800-439-5008 to locate town clerk’s office close to your civil union location.