How to Apply for a Marriage License in West Virginia

One of the happiest moments of your life should be marrying the one you love. Making sure that you have met all of the necessary legal requirements for your big day is very important. Here's how to apply for a marriage license in West Virginia.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Identification
• Cash

1. Decide when and where you want to get married and contact an officiant to reserve a date. In West Virginia, only a minister or a judge can perform the ceremony (there is no justice of the peace).
2. Find out where the County Clerk's Office is located in your home county by searching online or referring to a phone directory (see Resources below). In West Virginia, you must apply for your marriage license in your county of residence but you can get married anywhere in the state. If you are not a resident, you can apply at any County Clerk's Office.
3. Be ready to present identification. If you are over 18, you will need to show a driver's license or a birth certificate and provide your place of residence, your parents' full names, their places of birth and your mother's maiden name. If you are under 18, you will also need parental (or custodial) consent and are required to wait 3 days before the ceremony can take place.

Tips & Warnings

• Marriage licenses typically cost $36, but the cost can vary from one county to another. Cash is the only accepted method of payment.
• A girl who is pregnant and under 18 does not need parental consent if a medical doctor has verified the pregnancy in a written statement. A marriage license will not be issued to anyone under 15.
• The marriage license expires after 60 days, so be sure to have the marriage ceremony performed before the expiration date.
• Common-law, proxy and same-sex marriages and marriage to a cousin are not permitted in West Virginia.

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