How to Get Married in West Virginia

This Appalachian beauty is home to both the historic Harper's Ferry National Historical Park and the bustling city of Charleston. Steeped in Southern flavor and the amber and emerald hues of the mountains, West Virginia is a fine place to be wed. Just follow these quick and simple steps to get married in West Virginia.

Things You'll Need

• marriage license
• identification

Instructions

1. Settle on a date for the ceremony. The time you get the marriage license, the reservation for the venue, and the invitations all hinge on the date.

2. Select a setting. West Virginia's churches, town halls, hotels and natural vistas offer a stunning array of choices. Choose slowly and carefully.

3. Find a friend or official to perform the ceremony. In West Virginia, a clergy member or public official (such as a judge or the county clerk themselves) may perform the marriage.

4. Get a marriage license. You'll need to provide a photo ID (driver's license) as well as some information about both of your parents such as each of their states of birth.

5. Start a registry. This way, when guests want to know what to buy you, they can look on the registry for what you need.

6. Send out the invitations. Don't forget to insist on an RSVP. It's polite and serves the purpose of letting you know how many guests to prepare for financially and logistically.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't apply for your license until (at the most) 60 days before your wedding ceremony as marriage licenses in the state of West Virginia expire 60 days after they are first issued.

• Residency is not required to be granted a marriage license in the state of West Virginia. However, if you are a resident, you'll have to apply in the county of your residency.

• Same sex unions are disallowed by the state of West Virginia. So are common law and cousin marriages.