Thinking of going somewhere a little more sunny, or snowy, or green to tie the knot? Here’s what you need to know:
If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding somewhere in the U.S., there’s one very important thing you should know…
You must apply for your marriage license in the state or county where you plan to get married.
That’s because marriage licenses can only be used in the state where they are issued. And in some rare cases, a marriage license must be used in the county where it’s issued!
This means that if you want to elope in lucky Las Vegas, for example, you should apply for a Nevada marriage license – regardless of where you live.
Want to get married in tropical Hawaii? You’ll need a Hawaii marriage license. Want to elope on the slopes at a Colorado ski resort? You guessed it – you’ll need a Colorado marriage license.
(You get the picture!)
Once you’ve decided where to get married, you can hire a professional wedding officiant in the area to officiate, or ask a friend to get ordained to officiate and have them come with you!
The only exception to this advice is for U.S. couples who want to have a wedding in another country: We should warn you that applying for an international marriage license can be very difficult and time-consuming. If you want to have a ceremony in another country, consider getting legally married in the U.S. first (with a U.S. marriage license), and hold a ceremonial vow renewal abroad instead.
Wishing you happy travels, and congratulations on your upcoming marriage.