How to Elope in Utah

You're engaged! This is an exciting time in your relationship, and not only have you gotten engaged, but you've decided to elope! With diverse landscapes, Utah is an amazing choice for your destination elopement location. Utah is home to mountains with rugged cliffs, mountain meadows filled with wildflowers, the famous salt flats, the greatest snow on earth, red rocks and desert landscapes. If adventure is your plan, Utah is your place.

But there are a few things you should be prepared for as you plan your Utah elopement. We all hate the red tape and legal side of making your marriage, well, legal but if you read on, we will make the process as simple as possible so that on your day you can focus on you, your relationship, and your love. Here's everything you need to know about getting married in Utah.

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Your Officiant

First up on our list is an officiant. In Utah "A minister, rabbi, priest, county clerk, Native American spiritual adviser, the governor, mayors, court commissioners and judges, as well as particular members of the legislature may perform wedding ceremonies." This gives you some options for your elopement.

You can hire an experienced elopement officiant who specializes in adventure elopements. They will already know what to expect and how to make your day unique and intimate to you.

If you have someone close to you who you would like to officiate your marriage, they can become an ordained minister online! In Utah, an individual who is 18 years or older and who is authorized by a religious denomination may solemnize a marriage. They can become ordained for free here with Universal Life Church.

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The Witnesses

Next is your witnesses. "Two witnesses over 18 must also be present at the wedding ceremony." This can be any two witnesses which means you can choose two of your friends or family to come with you, two of your vendors, or even someone that you find on the trail on your way to your location, you don't actually have to know them! The only requirements are that they are 18 or older and that they put their names on your marriage license after the ceremony. How do you get a marriage license you may ask? Well, read on to the next section to find out!

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The Marriage License

Now here's the important legal paperwork! You are going to need a marriage license which you can get from any county clerk's office once you arrive in Utah, but you do need to get it in person and both of you will need to be present. Some counties will have you apply online, but you will still need to appear in person to pay for and receive the license, the fee will vary by county.

Your license will be valid for 30 days which means that once you get the license you have 30 days to get married or you will have to apply for another license. There is also no waiting period which means that once you get the license you can get married right away without having to wait. I recommend getting your license before your elopement day so that you can take that off your checklist and not be rushed with stressful to-dos on your wedding day.

You are going to need the following to apply for a marriage license:

• An in-person application with both applicants present at the time of application.

• Full names, addresses and dates and places of birth of both applicants.

• Social security numbers of both applicants, unless an applicant doesn't have a social security number.

• Names and birth places of the parents of both applicants , including mother's maiden name.

• Valid picture ID such as a passport, birth certificate, driver license, or state ID card.

I do free consultations with each couple who inquires for a wedding so let me know during our consultation that you would like help and I can help you find the most convenient clerk's office for your elopement location and what their specific fees, requirements, and procedures are going to be.

After the ceremony your officiant will need to fill out the license and return it to the county clerk's office. You and your witnesses should sign the license.

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Now you're ready to elope! Okay, well maybe you still want to put in a little bit more planning before your big day, but this is the information that you will need to make it all legal! Be sure to watch for some of my upcoming blogs for more info on getting ready for your adventurous elopement day!