AMERICAN WEDDINGS BLOG
Stay up to date with the latest wedding ceremony trends, script writing inspiration, tips and advice for first-time officiants, and news that matters to couples and wedding ministers.
How to Get Married in Wyoming - Planning a Wedding in the Cowboy State
Published Friday, Feb. 17th, 2023
Planning a Wyoming wedding? This short guide will help -- from finding an officiant to completing the marriage license.
Wyoming offers romantic backdrops of every kind, from snow-capped mountains and rolling fields to historic landmarks and bustling college towns – making this one-of-a-kind state a favorite destination for weddings.
Applying for a marriage license the state will look different in each county, so it’s important to get a head start on the planning process to avoid unnecessary stress. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a short guide to help you begin.
Asked to officiate a wedding in Wyoming?
How to get married in Wyoming in 6 Steps
1. Get yourself a sweetheart!
Got one? Whew! There will be a few more boxes to check, but the hardest part’s over.
2. Find a wedding officiant in Wyoming.
A wedding officiant is the person who conducts your ceremony and signs the marriage license, making things legal.
A friend or relative can perform your wedding ceremony if they’ve been ordained.
If you want to hire a professional, the state has many qualified independent officiants to choose from. The following people are authorized to solemnize marriage in Wyoming:
(a) Every district or circuit court judge, district court commissioner, supreme court justice, magistrate and every licensed or ordained minister of the gospel, bishop, priest or rabbi, or other qualified person acting in accordance with the traditions or rites for the solemnization of marriage of any religion, denomination or religious society, may perform the ceremony of marriage in this state. (b) In the solemnization of marriage no particular form is required, except that the parties shall solemnly declare in the presence of the person performing the ceremony and at least two (2) attending witnesses that they take each other as husband and wife. (§ 20-1-106)
(Find more Wyoming marriage laws here.)
Looking for a stunning wedding venue? Wyoming has hundreds of unique indoor and outdoor venues to choose from.
3. Choose a date and a venue...
Wyoming is home to stunning natural beauty, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, renowned ski resorts, rich and rugged history, and beloved cities like Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, and Laramie – making it a favorite place for destination weddings.
Whether you’re dreaming of a big to-do or a romantic elopement for two, there’s something for everyone!
Popular dates, venues, and officiants book up fast, so start early. And remember you’ll need permission (and a permit) to use a public space, such as a city park or recreational area. Permits can take weeks to process, so factor this into your timeline, too.
Wyoming Marriage License Quick Facts
♡ No Waiting Period
♡ 1 Year Expiration Period
♡ 10 Day Return Period*
*Many counties require a license be returned within 10 days of the ceremony, but we recommend you confirm the return period in your county with the issuing clerk’s office.
Did you know? Every state has different laws governing when the marriage license is issued, can be completed, and must be returned. There are called a state's marriage license Waiting Period, Return Deadline, and Expiration. Learn more here.
4. The marriage license.
Alright, time to make sure your wedding’s legal! We’ll break down each part of the marriage license process, one step at a time:
Applying for your license
You’ll apply for your marriage license through the County Clerk Office. You don’t need to be a Wyoming resident to marry there, and your license can be used anywhere in the state. Many locations require an appointment to apply for your license, so be sure to call ahead.
Requirements to Apply for a Marriage License in WY:
- Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID
- Both parties must be at least 18 years old, or meet the requirements for minors
- Both parties must provide personal information, such as full legal name, address, location and date of birth, and social security number
- Both parties must provide their parents' full names, mothers’ maiden names, and location where parents were born
- Some counties will ask for applicants’ race / ethnicity
If you’re planning a wedding anywhere in Wyoming, we recommend contacting the county clerk closest to your venue to learn more.
Cost
Your license will cost $30. Some offices will only accept cash or credit, and there may be a small additional fee for card payments, so plan ahead! There’s no fee to register your marriage after the ceremony.
Waiting period
There is no waiting period between the time you receive your license and when your ceremony can take place.
Using and returning the license
A Wyoming marriage expires 1 year after it’s issued. It can be used anywhere in the state, but must be returned to the clerk’s office that issued it. Directions on how to return the license will be given to you when you purchase one.
The license must be signed by each party to the marriage, two adult witnesses (2), and the marriage officiant following the ceremony, and returned to the clerk’s office where it was issued.
Many counties require that the license must be returned within 10 days of the ceremony. We recommend you confirm your county’s return period with the clerk’s office when purchasing your license.
Want to get married in Jackson Hole?
Head to the Teton County Clerk office!
5. Meet with your wedding officiant...
Once you’ve chosen a date, a venue, and have your marriage license details worked out, you’ll be ready to meet with your wedding officiant to plan the ceremony!
This is when things start to come into focus. You’ll talk about the tone of your ceremony, the ‘vibe’ you want to create for your guests, and any special elements and unity rituals you want to include. You and your officiant might meet a few more times to exchange more ideas, fine-tune a script, or rehearse the ceremony leading up to the wedding day.
AMM’s website is full of resources to help you decide what kind of ceremony you want, tips on working well with your officiant, and advice on keeping your ceremony authentic and on budget.
Visit Articles for Couples on our American Weddings blog, or browse general articles by category or keyword.
Wyoming is home to some pretty spectacular parks, making the state a great place for an outdoor adventure wedding. So pack your wedding finery *and* your camping gear!
6. The wedding day!
Aside from yourselves, the most important thing you’ll bring with you on the wedding day is your marriage license -- because no license means no marriage. Your officiant won’t be able to perform the wedding without having a license present (even if you have it at home), so make sure it’s with you.
After the ceremony, you and your officiant will sign the license, along with two adult witnesses.
After it’s signed, you must record it with the county clerk's office within 10 days of the ceremony. Check with your county for specific details.
Once it’s been recorded, you’re officially married!
Congratulations!
Do you want to officiate a wedding in Wyoming?
Visit Weddings by State: Wyoming
We’ve got everything you need to understand the state’s licensing and registration requirements, any ministry credentials and paperwork you might need, and helpful tips for several cities in the state, including Cheyenne.
You might also like:
You don't have to have a traditional wedding ceremony to get married! Read the full article here.
Propose to your wedding officiant!
Will You Marry Us? Gift Box
Asking a friend or relative to officiate your wedding? 'Propose' the idea with the Will You Marry Us? Wedding Officiant Gift Box and Ministers Credential Package.
This gift box contains everything you need to ask someone to officiate your wedding, and everything your chosen officiant will need to perform your wedding -- including the most robust minister ordination available and full documentation of credentials.
Order the gift box here.
Love it? Pin it!
How To Officiate By State
Who Will Officiate Your Wedding?
Choose Your Officiant with our "Will You Marry Us?" Gift Package.
Signature Wedding Officiant Package
Our premiere package contains everyting you need to officiate like a pro.
The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies
It's finally here! Timeless scripts and heartfelt vow inspiration to bring life to your ceremony.
Professional Wedding Officiant Certification Course
Learn from the Pros to Officiate with Confidence!
POPULAR ARTICLES
Donate to AMM
Your generosity keeps American Marriage Ministries running.
Wedding Officiant Training
Everything you need to know to officiate.
Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts
Need inspiration? Check out our free ceremony scripts!