How do I get a marriage license?

City or Town Clerk (municipal level - each of Vermont's approximately 246 cities and towns)

Step by Step

How to do it

Visit (or contact) the city or town Clerk of the applicable municipality; MOST Vermont clerks welcome walk-ins during business hours; some recommend appointments; many now have downloadable application forms to complete in advance
AT LEAST ONE of the applicants must appear in person before the clerk to sign the license; Vermont does NOT require BOTH parties to be present at the same time (unusual - Vermont requires only that both parties sign the application, and at least one must sign in front of the clerk; the other may sign the form separately if they cannot appear, though both signatures are required on the application form)
Provide required information on the application: names, towns of residence, places and dates of birth, parents' names (including mother's maiden name) and parents' places of birth, number of previous marriages/civil unions and how/when they ended (this information is confidential and does NOT appear on the marriage certificate); bring birth certificates or government ID
Pay the $80 fee; license issued immediately - NO waiting period; can marry same day
License valid for 60 days from date of issue; ceremony must take place within 60 days; license becomes void if not used
Vermont does NOT require witnesses - this is one of the few states where witnesses at the ceremony are not legally required; however, individual religious requirements may differ
Officiant completes and returns the signed license (now a marriage certificate) to the ISSUING town Clerk within 10 DAYS after the wedding; record is then officially registered
Certified copies of marriage certificate: available from the town Clerk where license was issued ($10 each), from any Vermont town Clerk ($10 each - Vermont's Statewide Registry allows any town to issue any certified vital record), or from Vermont Department of Health / Vermont State Archives; prepay at time of license purchase for convenience

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid state or federal government-issued photo ID showing name and date of birth (driver's license, passport, military ID, state ID)
Certified copies of birth certificates (useful to provide information about parents, dates and places of birth, but Vermont does not strictly require the actual birth certificate document - government photo ID may suffice for many clerks; verify with your specific town)
If previously married or in a civil union: know the number and dates of prior marriages/civil unions and how they ended; divorce decree or death certificate may be requested by some clerks
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old (Vermont eliminated minor marriage in 2018; no exceptions)

Fee

$80 statewide (this is the standard fee; some towns may vary slightly); certified copy of marriage certificate: $10 at time of license or afterwards; payment methods vary by town (cash, check, some accept cards)

Waiting Period

NONE - license effective immediately LICENSE VALIDITY: 60 days from date of issue WITNESSES: NOT REQUIRED by Vermont law (unusual nationally; one of the very few states with no witness requirement) BOTH PARTIES IN PERSON: NOT required - at least one must appear in person before the clerk; the other party's signature is still required on the application form OFFICIANT RETURN DEADLINE: 10 DAYS after the ceremony (returns license = marriage certificate) CERTIFIED COPIES: Available from ANY Vermont town Clerk (not just issuing town) for $10 due to Vermont's Statewide Registry WHERE TO GO: City or Town Clerk in applicable Vermont municipality

Where to Go

City or Town Clerk in applicable Vermont municipality

Vermont Notes

Important state-specific details

NO witnesses required - Vermont is one of the very few states with no legal witness requirement for marriage ceremonies.
ONLY ONE party needs to appear before the clerk - unusual nationally; both must sign the application, but they can do so separately.
Vermont eliminated minor marriage in 2018 - minimum age is 18, no exceptions.
No waiting period; no blood test.
Vermont ALSO offers CIVIL UNION registration at the town Clerk (same process and fee).
Temporary Officiant Registration: Vermont allows individuals to register as temporary officiants online through the Vermont Secretary of State's office (sos.vermont.gov) for $65; useful for friends/family to perform ceremonies; can also be done permanently.
Common law marriage: Vermont does NOT recognize common law marriage.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records - healthvermont.gov/stats/vital-records | (802) 863-7275 | P.O. Box 70, 108 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05402-0070; City/Town Clerk (varies by municipality)