So, you’ve decided to elope? YAY! But now comes the ‘how do we legally elope?’ part of it all. No worries, that’s why I’m here.

The beauty of elopements is that the only limit to what you can do, is your imagination and what you want to do to celebrate your marriage. Want just the two of you to spend a day together hiking around Shenandoah? Or maybe you want to catch the sunrise for your vow exchange and then go back to camp with all your favorite people for a day of water fun and a cookout. Maybe you want to plan an afternoon ceremony with your closest people and head back to the cutest B&B for dinner. And those are just a few of the possibilities for your day!

Thankfully, the easiest part of the whole planning process is to get your license, and the harder part is choosing exactly what you want to do. The rest of the blog will walk you through exactly what you need to do to legally elope in Virginia.

Step 1: Obtain a Marriage License

Before you can legally elope in Virginia, you’ll need to obtain a marriage license. Fortunately, the process is relatively simple. Follow these steps:

a. Visit the Circuit Court Clerk’s office in any Virginia county or city.

b. Both partners must be present.

c. Bring valid identification, such as a driver’s license or passport as well as having both your parent’s full names and thirty dollars.

d. Fill out the marriage license application form.

You can even fill out the application ahead of time online to make your visit quicker- just search online for the closest Clerk’s office and fill the form out there.

The other great thing is that there is no waiting period once the license is in your hands, and it is valid for 60 days.

Step 2: Choose an Officiant

Virginia does not require witnesses, however you are required to have an officiant there to sign the document. Fun fact, DC doesn’t require either and you can self-officiate! Options for your officiant include: judges, justices of the peace, ministers, officiants/celebrants (Instagram is a great place to find these), or even a friend or family member who has been ordained.

a. Judges and Justices of the Peace:

In Virginia, judges and justices of the peace are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies. If you have a specific judge or justice of the peace in mind, contact their office in advance to confirm their availability and any requirements they may have.

b. Ministers:

If you prefer a religious ceremony, you can ask a minister to officiate. Most ministers are recognized as legal officiants, but it’s a good idea to confirm their credentials beforehand.

c. Online Ordination:

Many people opt for an online-ordained friend or family member to officiate their elopement. Several online platforms offer ordination services, allowing individuals to become legally recognized ministers. Websites like the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries are commonly used for this purpose.

d. Day-of Celebrant License:

In Virginia, there is an option for a “Day-of Celebrant” to officiate at a specific marriage ceremony. This allows a friend or family member to become a celebrant for a day without obtaining full ordination. The celebrant is only authorized to perform the ceremony for the specified date.

How to Get a Day-of Celebrant License:

• Contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s office where you obtained your marriage license.
• Inquire about the process for obtaining a Day-of Celebrant license.
• Complete any necessary forms or applications.
• Pay any associated fees, if applicable.
• Ensure you have the proper documentation on the day of the ceremony.

It’s important to note that the process and requirements for a Day-of Celebrant license may vary by locality, so be sure to check with the specific Circuit Court Clerk’s office where you obtained your marriage license for accurate information.

Step 3: Plan your Perfect Day

Your wedding day deserves more than 2 hours off of work for a short ceremony and a few pictures- you just made a commitment to the person you love most in this world and that deserves a celebration!

What are some activities you love doing together? Is there a meaningful location to the two of you? You really can’t go wrong and the only real limit is how much you want to fit into your day!

For example, your day could look a little like this:

• You spend the night in the cutest B&B (or AirB&B), have a slow morning together with your favorite breakfast foods.
• You get ready together, not needing to rush through things and just enjoying the moment.
• You drive over to a gorgeous overlook and exchange vows and have some peaceful moments together to soak it all in.
• Spend a little time getting photos at that location
• Drive back to your B&B and have a late charcuterie lunch & some champagne
• You family and a few close friends meet you there a little later for a dinner to celebrate

There are so many amazing places in Virginia to Elope.

If you are looking for outdoor beauty, you can’t beat Shenandoah and Skyline Drive. Great Falls Park and Luray Caverns are also gorgeous. For a more beachy feel, there is Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay area as well as Chincoteague Island. Virginia also has an amazing wine country in Loudoun County that has more stunning wineries than I can list here. Not to mention all the possible historic sites.

I seriously have a list a mile long of gorgeous locations for elopements that I share with all my couples in the planning process. Interested in hearing more? Fill out my contact form here.

Step 4: Get Your Marriage Certificate

To round out the legal process for eloping in Virginia, after the ceremony, your officiant will submit the signed marriage license to the Circuit Court Clerk’s office for recording. Once processed, you can request an official copy of your marriage certificate.

Eloping in Virginia is a romantic way to start your journey together, and a lot easier than you’d think! The most important thing is that your wedding day reflects your unique story and the love you share.

If you have any questions about how to plan your Virginia elopement, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’d love to talk with you about how to make all your elopement dreams come true.

Much Love,

Sara