Anyone get married in Vermont?

Well we're still not 100% sure, but my boyfriend and I are thinking that we'll get married in July.  Of course, we booked our tickets to go to New York for 2 weeks and THEN found out that in New York State there is a 24 hour waiting period after applying for the marriage license, and then it takes up to 15 days to get the marriage certificate.  OOPS!  Not to mention, we fly in on a Friday night, which means no applying for the marriage license until the Monday (which gives us even less time-definately not enough time to get to NYC and apply for a spousal visa). 

My parents have a camp in Vermont, and my boyfriend and I were planning on going up there anyway while in the US. I just did a little research and found out that there is no waiting period, and it only takes 10 days to get the certificate (if all goes well).  I'm just thinking its a smaller, quieter state, maybe it will be faster than doing everything in New York.  On one website I saw that you could pay $7 extra to get the 'certificate' the day you get married. . . can that be? or did they mean to say license? Don't they have to send the license away to get the certificate?

Does anyone know if there is an official site of with the facts?

Does it matter that I have a Massachusetts drivers license, have a permanent residence in New York State, but am living in England and want to get married in Vermont?

Also, does my boyfriend have to come with me to apply for the spousal visa? If we run out of time, I can always go back to New York without him to apply for it.  In fact, I'll have to go back because my 6 months visitor status is up in August! I'm cutting everything so close, I stress myself out!

I'm clueless. . . PLEASE HELP!

you're moving to the UK on a spousal, correct?  I can say that my then-husband won't be with me when i get my visa.  he's sending the supporting documentation with me to the interview as well as a letter stating why he couldn't be with me (his work schedule).

alright, then no need to stress. Thanks, Aimiloo! 

I also just found out that as soon as the marriage license is signed and filled out by the officiant, it becomes the marriage certificate (at least in Vermont).  So I think you can probably get it pretty quickly. . .

But can it be that easy? 

see we have to wait a week for the marriage liscence to get the raised seal on it to bring to the British consular.

you know about the application and the $$ and stuff for it....right?

alright, then no need to stress. Thanks, Aimiloo! 

I also just found out that as soon as the marriage license is signed and filled out by the officiant, it becomes the marriage certificate (at least in Vermont).  So I think you can probably get it pretty quickly. . .

But can it be that easy? 

It could be that easy!     In NC (where we were married), you can have the marriage certificate the next day.  We got married on Saturday, the preacher took the signed marriage license to the registrar of deeds for the county on Monday morning, and we had the marriage certificate Monday afternoon.  Good thing, too, since we were on the plane to NYC on Tuesday!   

Doesn't matter where you are resident, etc.  Just think of people who have destination weddings--you and Dan could get married in Hawaii if you wanted to with no hassle.  Same deal w/ Vermont.  I'd think that you'd put your permanent residence address on the marriage license and he'll put his England address.  Probably best to call the registrar of deeds in whichever county you're thinking of marrying in - they can give you the full details.

(Also, it can't hurt to call the appropriate registrar of deeds in NY and explain your situation.  There may be some sort of "fast track" process for getting your marriage certificate...you never know!).  :-)

Just thought of this...if you go to www.theknot.com and click on Talk, then "Visit our Message Boards", then "Local Wedding Talk" (in left menu), then Vermont (or NY), you can ask brides in those states the exact requirements for the marriage license and marriage certificates.

someone just asked a question about VT marriage licenses on TheKnot:

http://www.theknot.com/co_mbmaink2kpost.htm?folder=CLOCALVT&Object=1084374391085016

Topic: When do we need to apply for a marriage license?
From:  margbride    Date: 5/12/2004 at 11:06 am 
 
We're getting married in Killington on July 24, and we both live out of state. When do we need to apply for the license? My officiant said she'd do it for us, but I'm trying to figure out when I should bug her about it.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
From: VTgirl_inDC , 5/12/2004 at 12:16 pm 
 
Do we need a marriage license? What about blood tests?

• You must buy a Vermont marriage license before your ceremony
• The license must be given to the officiant before the marriage is performed
• The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue
• You must provide the following information to obtain a VT marriage license:
• Your legal town of residence
• Your place & date of birth
• Your parents' names, including your mother's maiden name, and the states where they were born
• You will also be asked to provide information about your race, the highest grade you completed in school, the # of times you have been married and how your previous marriages ended
• Be prepared to provide proof for any of the above (ie. birth certificates, divorce decrees, etc.)
• You do not need blood tests

Where do we get a marriage license? What is the fee?

• For Vermont residents, you may buy the license at the Town Clerk's office in your legal town of residence (either the bride or groom's if both are residents)
• For non-residents, you must buy your license in the county you wish to be married in (any town in that county will do). For those of you wishing to get married in Stowe (Lamoille County), you may contact the Stowe Town Clerk's Office: 802-253-6133
• The cost for the license is $23.00 and $7.00 for a certified copy of the license (subject to change)
• You must appear in person before the Town Clerk, you cannot obtain a marriage license through the mail
• The Town Office is open from 7:30 am to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and the process takes about 15 minutes.
• There is no waiting period

Who can get married in Vermont? Are there any restrictions?

• You must be at least 18 to marry in Vermont (16 or over with the consent of a parent/legal gardian)
• Anyone under guardianship must have the guardian's written consent
• Vermont does not allow marriage between close relatives
• You cannot marry in Vermont to evade the laws of the state where you live
• You must be of sound mind

Where can we get married?

• A Vermont license is good for marriage in Vermont only
• Vermont residents may marry anywhere in the state
• Non-residents must marry in the county where their license was issued

Who can marry us? Do we need witnesses?

• A judge, supreme court justice, assistant judge, justice of the peace or an ordained or licensed minister, rabbi or priest residing in VT can perform your ceremony
• A minister, rabbi or priest from another state can perform your ceremony if special authorization from the probate court in the district where the marriage will take place is obtained, the Lamoille District Probate Court may be contacted at 802-888-3306
• Vermont law does not require witnesses

What do we do with the license? How do we get a copy?

• The license must be given to the person (officiant) who will conduct your wedding ceremony
• After the ceremony the officiant will complete the sections concerning the date, place and officant of your ceremony, the officiant must than return it to the Town Clerk's office where it was issued within 10 days.
• The license becomes offical after it has been recorded in the Town Clerk's office where it was purchased.
• At the time you purchase your license, you can arrange with the Town Clerk to have a certified copy of the certificate as soon as your marriage is recorded. The fee is $7.00 (for a total of $30.00).

Where can we get more information?

The Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records Unit
108 Cherry Street / PO Box 70
Burlington, VT 05402
802-863-7275 or 800-439-5008

Stowe Town Clerk's Office
Stowe, VT 05672
802-253-6133

Lamoille District Probate Court (for out-of-state officiants)
Hyde Part, VT 05655
802-888-3306

:-)

Wow, that's some great info. Thank you lolabola!

Hi,

Sorry I saw this thread a little too late!
I will be getting married to my American fiance in Stowe, Vermont in September. I  was also concerned about the time we would have to wait until we received the marriage certificate (we get married on a Saturday and we want to go direct to New York and apply for the spouse visa ). We spoke to the Town Clerk’s office, and it really depends on how fast the JP sends the papers to the Office. We are very lucky as we will be meeting the JP on the Monday morning and it will take a matter of a few minutes until we receive the original marriage certificate. They are very friendly at the office, and after explaining our circumstances, they were very willing to help. I hope that our trip to the Consulate will also be straight forward!!!!! I hope this puts your mind at rest


Good luck!

Cas

That is great news, Cas.  Don't worry, it wasn't too late. . . we're not going until July.

I think it something ridiculous like $7 extra to get the marriage certificate that day. . . I would probably pay $1,000 to get it that day!

I love Vermonters, in my experience they have always been so friendly!       

I hope everything goes as planned at the consulate for both of us.   

Thanks and good luck to you too!!!