Getting a Marriage License in Vermont
How Do You Get a Marriage License in Vermont?
Getting married in Vermont is a relatively simple process, whether you live here or are traveling to the state for your wedding. You’ll need a Vermont marriage license before the ceremony, and there are a few requirements and deadlines to know before you apply.
To get married in Vermont, you’ll need a marriage license issued by a Vermont town or city clerk. You do not have to be a Vermont resident, and a Vermont marriage license allows you to have your ceremony anywhere in the state.
Here is what you need to know before you apply:
- Both people must be at least 18 years old.
- You can obtain your marriage license from any Vermont town or city clerk.
- Both parties must sign the marriage license application. At least one of you must sign the license in front of the town clerk.
- There is no waiting period.
- The marriage license costs $80.
- Your marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.
- No blood test is required.
- Your Vermont marriage license can be used anywhere in Vermont, but it cannot be used for a ceremony outside the state.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Marriage License in Vermont
01
Choose Your Town Clerk's Office
You can obtain your marriage license from any Vermont town or city clerk. You do not have to apply in the town where you live or where your wedding will take place. Once issued, your Vermont marriage license can be used for a ceremony anywhere in the state.
02
Gather Your Documents
Be prepared to provide basic information such as your names, places of residence, and dates and places of birth. You’ll also need your parents’ names, including your mother’s maiden name, and their places of birth. If either of you was previously married or in a civil union, you’ll be asked how and when that relationship ended. Certified birth certificates can be helpful for providing some of the required information.
03
Apply in Person
Both of you must sign the marriage license application, certifying that the information you provided is accurate. The town clerk will review the application and can issue your license once at least one of you signs the license in front of the clerk. Vermont does not have a waiting period, so your license can be used as soon as it is issued.
04
Keep Track of Your 60-Day Window
Your Vermont marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. Your wedding ceremony must take place during that 60-day period and must be performed by someone authorized to officiate marriages in Vermont. Otherwise, the license becomes void.
05
Make Sure Your Marriage Is Properly Recorded
Before the ceremony, both of you must sign the license and give it to your officiant. After the ceremony, your officiant will complete the required information and sign the license, turning it into your marriage certificate. Your officiant must return the completed certificate to the town clerk’s office that issued the license within 10 days of your wedding so your marriage can be officially registered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Marriage Licenses
Do we have to be Vermont residents to get married in Vermont?
No. You do not have to live in Vermont to obtain a Vermont marriage license or get married here. Once you have a valid Vermont marriage license, your ceremony can take place anywhere in Vermont. The license can only be used for a marriage performed within the state.
Where do we apply for a Vermont marriage license?
You can obtain a marriage license from any Vermont town or city clerk. You do not have to apply in the town where you live or where your wedding will take place.
Marriage licenses cannot be issued through the mail, so at least one of you will need to appear before the clerk to sign the license. Both parties must sign the marriage license application.
How much does a marriage license cost?
A Vermont marriage license costs $80. You can also arrange with the town clerk to have a certified copy of your marriage certificate mailed to you after your marriage has been recorded. A certified copy costs an additional $10, making the total $90 if you request the copy when purchasing your license.
Is there a waiting period for a Vermont marriage license?
No. Vermont does not have a waiting period for marriage licenses. Once your license has been issued, it can be used immediately.
How long is a Vermont marriage license valid?
A Vermont marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. Your wedding ceremony must take place within that 60-day period. If you do not marry within 60 days, the license becomes void.
Can we get married the same day we get our license?
Yes. Because Vermont does not have a waiting period, you can get married on the same day your marriage license is issued, as long as your ceremony is performed by someone legally authorized to officiate marriages in Vermont.
Who can legally officiate a wedding in Vermont?
Vermont allows several types of authorized individuals to perform marriage ceremonies, including certain judges and justices, justices of the peace, and qualifying ordained or licensed members of the clergy.
Vermont also allows someone who is at least 18 years old to register with the Vermont Secretary of State as a temporary officiant for a specific marriage. The registration fee is $100, and the authorization applies only to that particular Vermont marriage.
Vermont law does not require witnesses, although some religious ceremonies may have their own witness requirements.
Do we need a blood test to get married in Vermont?
No. Vermont does not require a blood test to obtain a marriage license.
Do we need witnesses at our Vermont wedding?
No. Vermont law does not require witnesses for your marriage ceremony. If you are having a religious ceremony, check with your officiant because your religion may have its own requirements regarding witnesses.
What happens after the ceremony?
Before the ceremony, both of you must sign the marriage license and give it to your officiant. After the ceremony, your officiant completes the required information, including the date and location of the marriage, and signs the license. At that point, it becomes your marriage certificate.
Your officiant must return the completed certificate to the town clerk’s office that issued your license within 10 days of the wedding. This allows your marriage to be officially registered.
How do we get a certified copy of our Vermont marriage certificate?
When you purchase your marriage license, you can arrange with the town clerk to have a certified copy of your marriage certificate mailed to you after your marriage has been recorded. The certified copy costs $10.
Two weeks or more after your wedding, you can request additional certified copies from the town clerk’s office that issued your license. Six weeks or more after the wedding, you can also request a certified copy from the Vermont Department of Health Vital Records Office. The fee is $10 per certified copy.
Marriage license information based on guidance from the Vermont Department of Health, updated February 2026.