{"id":18950,"name":"Burlington","state_id":58,"county_id":2937,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:37:10.849-07:00","updated_at":"2023-11-12T04:04:36.820-08:00","meta_description":"Learn about officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in Burlington Vermont. Ceremony planning, marriage licenses, officiant registration and much more.","head_tag":"A Burlington Vermont Guide for Wedding Officiants and Couples","tagline":"Vermont, Naturally","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eSo, you\u0026rsquo;re getting hitched in Vermont, naturally! Or you\u0026rsquo;re an aspiring wedding officiant! Awesome! Home to the shores of the beautiful Lake Champlain and Lake George, world-class ski resorts throughout the Green Mountains, and dozens of classic inns and charming bed and breakfasts, there\u0026rsquo;s no shortage of settings in this state to bring your New England dream wedding to fruition.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWe\u0026rsquo;ve gathered all the need-to-know information to help you complete the legal marriage to-dos and get kickstart the creative brainstorming process of the wedding planning itself. So, whether you\u0026rsquo;re a lifelong local, you\u0026rsquo;re marrying a Woodchuck, or you\u0026rsquo;re just stopping through the Green Mountain State to take advantage of its natural beauty on your wedding day, you\u0026rsquo;re in the right place.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s start with the ordainment process. According to the City of Burlington\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/ct/marriage-licenses\"\u003ewebsite\u003c/a\u003e, \u0026ldquo;any ordained or licensed member of the clergy residing in Vermont\u0026rdquo; is able to legally officiate weddings.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo become an ordained minister in Vermont, you can \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eregister with AMM\u003c/a\u003e. The process is free and takes just a few minutes!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are not a Vermont resident, don\u0026rsquo;t worry -- you can still perform your friends\u0026rsquo; wedding ceremony, but you must register for a permit from a probate court in the county where the marriage will take place. In Burlington, the office is located at 175 Main St. You can purchase all the necessary minister credentials needed to register right \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/store#credentials\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlso note, any person over the age of 18 may register with the Secretary of State\u0026nbsp;to become a temporary officiant, so if you don\u0026rsquo;t anticipate officiating any other ceremonies in the state of Vermont in the future, this is another option to consider.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Chittenden County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to complete the marriage license itself, the couple must deliver the license to the officiant before the marriage can be performed. After the ceremony, the officiant should complete the sections concerning the date, place, and officiant information, and sign the license. At that point, the license becomes a marriage certificate.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut the work is not over just yet! It is the officiant\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to return it to the city clerk\u0026rsquo;s office in which was issued within 10 days of the ceremony.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf the officiant has registered with the Secretary of State as a temporary officiant (as mentioned in the above section), a copy of the certificate of authority issued by the Secretary of State should be attached to the signed license and returned to the clerk\u0026rsquo;s office. (For clarification, if you registered as an officiant with AMM, you do not have to include this document.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003cp\u003eTo pick up your marriage license before the big day, one or both members of the couple will head down to the town clerk\u0026rsquo;s office with the required documents. The marriage license application is available \u003ca href=\"https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/%23%23%23%20-%20Fillable%20Marriage%20License.pdf\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e to print out and take with you.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf both parties are Vermont residents, you should go to the town clerk in either of your towns of residence. If just one of you resides in a Vermont town, you must get the license in that town. (In Burlington, the appropriate office is City Hall on 149 Church Street.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen you go, just remember to bring:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$80 (cash, check or credit card)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eState-issued ID (valid driver\u0026rsquo;s license or passport)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePrinted marriage license application\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen choosing your wedding date, note that Vermont does attract flocks of tourists to its annual events and festivals, which take place year-round. You\u0026rsquo;ll want to avoid booking your wedding on the same day any of these events, such as the Stowe Winter Carnival in January or the Vermont Maple Festival in April if they are nearby your venue, as there are usually higher prices for accommodations and heavier traffic. You can find a list of Vermont\u0026rsquo;s biggest events \u003ca href=\"http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-vermont.html\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBurlington is one of the most popular areas in the state to host your wedding, as it\u0026rsquo;s centrally located to many of the state\u0026rsquo;s awesome features. Lake Champlain has a host of gorgeous venues, like the \u003ca href=\"https://letspretendcatering.com\"\u003eGrand Isle Lake House\u003c/a\u003e, which has gorgeous indoor and outdoor facilities. You can even get married on the lake itself on the \u003ca href=\"https://soea.com/weddings/\"\u003eSpirit of Ethan Allen\u003c/a\u003e! Check out this list to explore more of those \u003ca href=\"https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/vermont-lakeside-wedding-venues\"\u003eoptions\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYou can also head east to one of the resorts in the Green Mountains. \u003ca href=\"https://mountaintopinn.com/weddings/ceremony-sites/\"\u003eMountain Top Inn \u0026amp; Resort\u003c/a\u003e in Chittenden, about an hour and a half south of Burlington, is a truly beautiful option with incredible amenities for couples. You\u0026rsquo;ll fall in love with the views from all around the property, from its terrace to the lakefront. \u003ca href=\"https://www.topnotchresort.com/private-gatherings/wedding-request-for-proposal\"\u003eTopnotch Resort \u003c/a\u003eis another super impressive option a bit closer to town, just 45 minutes east of the city in Mt. Mansfield State Forest.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOr, choose from one of the dozens of inns, which make for charming wedding venues for smaller groups from the spring through fall, like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.theroundbarn.com/\"\u003eRound Barn Farm\u003c/a\u003e or the \u003ca href=\"https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/old-lantern-inn-and-barn-charlotte/c95919d96759b93e.html\"\u003eOld Lantern Inn and Barn\u003c/a\u003e. But if you really want to veer away from the traditional mold and support and amazing local business, check out the \u003ca href=\"https://www.intervale.org/rent-our-barn\"\u003eThe Intervale Center\u003c/a\u003e. Its property spans 700 acres that provide locally-grown, sustainable agriculture. Its barn makes for a beautiful, relaxed setting for a reception.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eVermont has great public transportation. For centralized info about getting around Burlington, check out the \u003ca href=\"https://www.connectingcommuters.org/bus-info/bus-providers/\"\u003eGo! Vermont\u003c/a\u003e website. There\u0026rsquo;s also the Green Mountain Transit System (\u003ca href=\"https://ridegmt.com/\"\u003eGMT\u003c/a\u003e), which can take you from Burlington out to surrounding destinations like Montpelier and Saint Albans. If you\u0026rsquo;re planning a wedding in Burlington and don\u0026rsquo;t want to bother with public transit, you can always turn to Lyft and Uber to get around town. However, if you\u0026rsquo;re choosing a venue outside of city limits -- in the Green Mountains or at one of the lakes -- your best bet is to plan to stay the night (or heck, a few days!) and arrange for accommodations nearby.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eVermont is, of course, known for its cold, white winters, which can start as early as late October or early November through March or April. But that doesn\u0026rsquo;t mean you should rule winter out for a wedding date; it\u0026rsquo;s a great time to take advantage of the beautiful ski resorts. Spring and summer in Vermont are heavenly if you\u0026rsquo;re dreaming of an outdoor wedding, but fall is an especially popular season for weddings here, as the beauty of the foliage is unbeatable. However, September and October rates tend to be on the higher end when you\u0026rsquo;re looking at venues. Whatever season you choose, you\u0026rsquo;ll find that Vermont\u0026rsquo;s vendors are ready and eager to help make your day a success.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan we get married in Vermont if we are not residents?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf neither party is a Vermont resident, you may get the marriage license application from any town clerk in the state of Vermont.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo both parties have to be present to pick up the marriage license application in the City of South Burlington?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, only one member of the couple needs to be present to retrieve the marriage license before the wedding in Chittenden County.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan anyone obtain a marriage license from the City of South Burlington\u003c/strong\u003e?\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the parties is a South Burlington resident or if neither party to be married lives in the State of Vermont.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I get a copy of my marriage certificate in Burlington Vermont?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYou can request a copy of a marriage certificate online. Once we receive the request it will be processed and mailed to you within 2-4 business days. You may come into the Clerk\u0026rsquo;s Office Monday-Friday between 8:00am-4:30pm to request a marriage certificate. or call 802-865-7000.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it required to present a birth certificate when we apply for the marriage license in Burlington Vermont?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt is not required, but it is considered a valid form of ID.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen do we have to return the marriage license after the ceremony in Burlington Vermont?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYou have 60 days to have the ceremony once the license is issued by city hall, but once the ceremony is performed, the officiant must return the license to the issuance office within 10 days of the ceremony!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office: \u003c/strong\u003e149 Church Street Burlington, VT\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $80\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e None\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e 60 days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e by Officiant\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}