How to Get Married in Vermont (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Vermont · Last updated 2026-05-18
Vermont runs its marriage-license system on its own family-law code. Between license issuance and the ceremony itself, the rule is: no waiting period. The window during which the license remains usable: 60 days. On common-law marriage, Vermont does not recognize common law marriage. This guide details what Vermont requires from license application through return of the signed license to the clerk after the ceremony.
Key Considerations
Two of the first questions any Vermont couple asks about a wedding are what the marriage license costs and who is old enough to apply. On the fee side, $80.00. On the age side, A person is not authorized to marry if they are under 18 years of age. Confirm both with the issuing office before scheduling the ceremony.
Beyond the license itself, two Vermont rules shape what counts as a legally completed marriage. The first is whether Vermont still permits common-law marriage at all: Vermont does not recognize common law marriage. The second is the list of people who may lawfully perform the ceremony: authorized officiants are listed by statute and commonly include religious clergy, current judges, and specific civil officials; some states also permit ceremonies conducted according to the customs of a religious society without a designated officiant (consult the state code). Both are settled by statute.
Vermont also imposes timing rules on either side of license issuance. The waiting period (if any) controls how soon after the license is issued the ceremony can lawfully occur: no waiting period. The validity window controls how long the license remains good: 60 days. Couples should calendar both dates against the planned ceremony date.
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Relevant Documents
Documents commonly produced at a Vermont marriage-license appointment: the marriage-license application form, identification for each applicant, and (where relevant) the certificate of completion of an approved premarital preparation course. No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. Whatever the current Vermont marriage-license fee amount, it is collected by the issuing clerk at the application appointment rather than billed later.
Beneficiary Designation Forms
Documents that specify who receives assets from retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial accounts upon your death.
Durable Power of Attorney
Authorizes someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, ensuring your affairs can be managed without court intervention.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Designates someone to make medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so, ensuring your healthcare preferences are respected.
Prenuptial Agreement
A contract entered into before marriage that establishes rights to property and financial support in case of divorce or death. This document can protect pre-marital assets and outline financial responsibilities during marriage.
Updated Will
A legal document that specifies how your assets should be distributed after death. Marriage typically invalidates previous wills in many jurisdictions, making it important to create a new one that includes your spouse.
Relevant Laws
Marriage License Requirements (18 V.S.A. § 5131)
In Vermont, couples must obtain a marriage license from a town clerk before getting married. Both parties must appear in person, provide identification, and pay a fee. The license is valid for 60 days after issuance, and there is no waiting period in Vermont, meaning you can get married the same day you receive your license.
Age Requirements (18 V.S.A. § 5142)
Vermont law requires that both parties be at least 18 years old to marry. Unlike some states, Vermont no longer allows minors to marry with parental consent or judicial approval, as this was eliminated by legislation in 2018 to protect minors from forced marriages.
Who Can Perform Marriages (18 V.S.A. § 5144)
Vermont allows various officials to solemnize marriages, including judges, justices of the peace, ordained clergy, and certain public officials. Vermont also has a temporary certification process that allows a friend or family member to perform a single wedding ceremony after obtaining authorization from the Secretary of State.
Marriage Equality (15 V.S.A. § 8)
Vermont was the first state to establish civil unions in 2000 and legalized same-sex marriage in 2009. The law defines marriage as the legally recognized union of two people and does not specify gender, ensuring equal marriage rights for all couples regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Name Change After Marriage (15 V.S.A. § 816)
Vermont law allows either spouse to change their surname after marriage by indicating the new name on the marriage license application. This serves as legal documentation for updating names on identification documents, Social Security records, and other official documents.
Regional Variances
Northern Vermont
Burlington has specific local requirements for marriage licenses. Couples must apply in person at the City Clerk's office, and both parties must be present. Burlington also offers a dedicated LGBTQ+ resource center that provides support for same-sex couples getting married in the city.
Stowe is a popular destination wedding location with specific venue permitting requirements. If planning an outdoor ceremony in certain areas, additional permits may be required from the town. Stowe also has specific noise ordinances that affect wedding receptions held outdoors or in certain venues.
Southern Vermont
Brattleboro has a simplified marriage license process that can be started online before visiting the Town Clerk. The town also has specific regulations regarding outdoor ceremonies in public parks that differ from state standards.
Manchester has specific requirements for destination weddings, including additional documentation for non-residents. The town also has unique venue restrictions for historic properties that may affect ceremony planning.
Central Vermont
As the state capital, Montpelier offers expedited marriage license processing. However, ceremonies at the State House require special permission and advance booking, with specific restrictions that don't apply elsewhere in the state.
Woodstock has strict historic district regulations that affect wedding venues and photography locations. Couples planning to marry in Woodstock's historic covered bridges need special permits that must be obtained at least 60 days in advance.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
File the marriage-license application with the Vermont issuing clerk (county clerk, town clerk, or probate office.
Before the ceremony days after starting$80.00. Each applicant should bring valid photo identification and any prior-marriage termination documents the clerk requests.
Have identification and prior-marriage paperwork ready when filing the application
Before the ceremony days after startingStandard documents include a current driver's license or passport for each applicant, plus a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or spouse's death certificate for anyone previously married.
If a premarital-course discount applies, complete an approved course before applying
Before the ceremony days after startingNo state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. Bring the original certificate of completion to the application appointment so the clerk can apply the discount or waiver at filing.
Verify how long the license is good for and align the ceremony date inside that window
Before applying days after starting60 days. A late ceremony is not a curable defect; the parties would have to start the application process over.
Account for the post-license waiting period when picking a ceremony date
Before the ceremony days after startingno waiting period. The waiting period (where the state imposes one) runs from the license issuance date, so the application timing has to be worked backward from the planned ceremony date.
Solemnize the marriage with an officiant the state recognizes
At the ceremony days after startingauthorized officiants are listed by statute and commonly include religious clergy, current judges, and specific civil officials; some states also permit ceremonies conducted according to the customs of a religious society without a designated officiant (consult the state code). Verifying the officiant's authority in advance is important because a defective solemnization is one of the few errors the marriage code does not always cure retroactively.
Return the signed marriage license to the issuing office
After the ceremony days after startingThe officiant typically signs the license at the ceremony and returns it to the clerk within the statutory return window; the clerk then records the marriage and issues the certified marriage certificate.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| File the marriage-license application with the Vermont issuing clerk (county clerk, town clerk, or probate office. | $80.00. Each applicant should bring valid photo identification and any prior-marriage termination documents the clerk requests. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Have identification and prior-marriage paperwork ready when filing the application | Standard documents include a current driver's license or passport for each applicant, plus a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or spouse's death certificate for anyone previously married. | - | Before the ceremony |
| If a premarital-course discount applies, complete an approved course before applying | No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. Bring the original certificate of completion to the application appointment so the clerk can apply the discount or waiver at filing. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Verify how long the license is good for and align the ceremony date inside that window | 60 days. A late ceremony is not a curable defect; the parties would have to start the application process over. | - | Before applying |
| Account for the post-license waiting period when picking a ceremony date | no waiting period. The waiting period (where the state imposes one) runs from the license issuance date, so the application timing has to be worked backward from the planned ceremony date. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Solemnize the marriage with an officiant the state recognizes | authorized officiants are listed by statute and commonly include religious clergy, current judges, and specific civil officials; some states also permit ceremonies conducted according to the customs of a religious society without a designated officiant (consult the state code). Verifying the officiant's authority in advance is important because a defective solemnization is one of the few errors the marriage code does not always cure retroactively. | - | At the ceremony |
| Return the signed marriage license to the issuing office | The officiant typically signs the license at the ceremony and returns it to the clerk within the statutory return window; the clerk then records the marriage and issues the certified marriage certificate. | - | After the ceremony |
Frequently Asked Questions
no waiting period. The waiting period (if any) starts running from the date the license is issued, not from the date the application is filed; the date that controls is the issuance date on the license itself.
Vermont does not recognize common law marriage. Where a state does still recognize common-law marriage, the elements (present-tense agreement to be married, cohabitation in the state, holding out as married) vary in detail, and a couple relying on the doctrine should document each element.
$80.00. Confirming the exact dollar amount with the specific Vermont issuing office before the application appointment avoids surprises at the counter, especially in states where multiple clerks issue licenses at different fee levels.
Other Vermont guides
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