Non-clergy marriages are traditionally performed with a belief in God, with their legal allowance originating with the Quakers. You might have to get a lawyer involved. While PA and CO are the only states that allow marriages without an officiant, those marriages are valid in all 50 states. Colorado is one state where the couple getting married can sign as both, themselves as the people entering into the marriage and as the people attesting to the marriage. Pennsylvania is one of the few states that offers couples the option of a self-uniting marriage license. Thank you for this post, we successfully obtained our non-clergy atheist marriage license in San Luis Obispo County. Hire any vendors like florists, hair and makeup artists, etc. Smith Rock State Park is also considered the birthplace of American sport climbing, so it would be a great place for a rock climbing elopement. I am not a financial professional in any way shape or form. Photographers have a personal interest in making sure their clients have the most amazing location that will truly make for epic photos! There is great hiking and climbing in the park, and no shortage of beautiful scenery like waterfalls and giant sequoia trees. There are mountains everywhere you turn, and it is definitely one of the more secluded and quiet locations on this list. This is a legal marriage in Colorado and, although most other states do not allow self-solemnization the Colorado marriage itself is legal in all 50 states. Everything you need to know about Colorado Marriage License & Self Solemnization. My custom Colorado elopement/microwedding packages start at 4 hours, but when you work with me you’re getting way more than just a photographer. Want to see the language included in this letter? It’s also North Carolina’s only national park! Being the first in your state, county or city will take more work, may take more time and might require you to face publicity and/or postpone your wedding. This means that it can get very hot in the summer compared to other mountain elopement locations! Plus, many locations are still not accessible until summertime. Over two years ago, I wrote an article about self-uniting marriage. (Non-clergy license, two witness and atheist in belif). We went through a lot of hassle, but hopefully it will now be easier for others in San Francisco and maybe elsewhere in California. The District of Columbia allows couples to officiate their own wedding. Who may perform such a ceremony varies depending on the particular laws of the state. After a month of negotiation, and less than two hours before our appointment at City Hall with an officiant we didn’t want and didn’t want to pay for, state and county officials finally worked out a way to use the existing forms for non-clergy, confidential, atheist marriage. We were treated politely and pleasantly throughout. This is because there are still many winter storms but any melting snow just creates a lot of muddy conditions. Each of these states offer iterations of a self-uniting marriage: Pennsylvania Illinois Wisconsin Colorado District of Columbia California Maine Nevada Kansas Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That’s why I offer help in ways that most photographers don’t! There are fun activities to do in every season. (We could have filed it on the spot if we had brought our two witnesses with us to City Hall.). Colorado allows for three types of solemnization: Religious, Civil, or Self. Best Mountain Elopement Locations in the United States. Simply put, self solemnization is where the couple legally marries themselves, without the need for an officiant or a witness to be present to sign their marriage certificate. If you’re having trouble deciding between the mountains and the beach for your elopement, then Hawaii should definitely be a place you consider eloping. Colorado is one of just a few states, including Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, that has legalized the act of self-uniting a marriage without the presence of a third-party officiant. Who would want their mother’s maiden name and other information invaluable to identity thieves in such a public database? The ceremony must occur within 35 days after the license is issued in order for it to be lawfully valid. That makes four possible combinations. I’d be honored to help you with photographing your elopement or microwedding. Credit cards and checks are not accepted. Check out this post for more information on an elopement in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Be able to answer how you are marrying. California allows "non-clergy marriage" by "members of a particular religious society or denomination not having clergy for the purpose of solemnizing marriage or entering the marriage relation," provided that specified forms, including the signatures of two witnesses, are properly completed and filed. Hood itself towers over the horizon in the background. Kansas law requires two adult witnesses attend your marriage ceremony. How to find a mountain elopement location, Deciding what season to elope in the mountains. Colorado is one of the few states that recognize self-solemnization as a legal marriage. Plus, mountain elopement packages and more information on how to plan a mountain elopement! In many places, roads close in the winter and some other areas become very difficult to access. Pingback: Self-Uniting Marriage Can Save Brides Money | Femme Frugality. But it will set a precedent that will help the next couple. Are you bringing any. I’m a Colorado-based elopement and intimate wedding photographer, and I love helping couples turn their vision for their dream day into a reality! If you’re looking for a true adventure for your Colorado mountain elopement, this is definitely an area to consider. In the end, everything went smoothly. So I will only talk about DC. (a) No particular form for the ceremony of marriage is required for solemnization of the marriage, but the parties shall declare, in the physical presence of the person solemnizing the marriage and necessary witnesses, that they take each other as husband and wife. Is privacy and seclusion important to you? For each, we filled out a form on their website, and an intake lawyer called us back 1-2 weeks later to get more information. Other states in the U.S also allow self-solemnization, but Colorado has the least requirements. This is basically where an eloping couple can “marry themselves.” You essentially sign as your own officiants on the officiant line on your Colorado elopement day. But the state of California, in its infinite wisdom, has prepared only three marriage license forms. The lake is a stunning blue color due to the pristine water that comes from rain and snow, and it’s also the deepest lake in the United States. Explain that you aren’t a Quaker, but want to marry without an officiant, as Quakers do, and ask them how Quakers register their marriages in your state. The day after we turned in the signed form, we came back and paid for a couple of certified copies of the marriage certificate: one to keep at home and use for all the paperwork for changing our status with insurers, etc., and one to put in our safe deposit box. Including Colorado Marriage Application, Colorado Licenses, Paperwork and Information, Self-solemnizing in Colorado, waiting period, destination wedding, witnesses, what name do I sign, Colorado ceremony permits. A couple of months ago, I started talking to a reader in California who wanted to get a “non-clergy” marriage in their state. She's seen many instances of that due to the self-solemnization laws that other states don't recognize. Since the Constitution prohibits disparate treatment for different religions, or for religious and non-religious beliefs, that should mean that it is possible for any couple in any of these states to marry without clergy, as Quakers do. Many people don’t think of Salt Lake City when you are talking about mountains, but there are actually many beautiful mountain locations near Salt Lake City. Your email address will not be published. Also, beware, if you move to another state, they may not recognize your marriage. Are you planning a mountain elopement? Is there a special form or procedure? Each state listed above application process will vary. It’s worth noting that you can only have your ceremony and say your vows at the 13 sites designated for weddings. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited National Park, due to its beautiful mountain views and all of the fun outdoor activities available. Flathead National Forest is just south of Glacier National Park and offers similarly beautiful views, but with far fewer crowds. In some states, such as Pennsylvania, there have already been lawsuits over this. Want a private California elopement location with epic views? What’s included in my elopement photography package? You can get a certified copy you can show to anyone who needs to see it, e.g. You can reach Harkess & Salter LLC at (303) 531-5380 or [email protected] Stephen Harkess is an attorney licensed in the state and federal courts of Colorado. The Montana Supreme Court has set out the elements for creating a valid common law marriage: First, the parties must be competent to enter into a marriage. Bozeman is a town in southern Montana in the Rocky Mountains. Hi I’m Kim, a Denver, Colorado based photographer specializing in Adventure Elopements in Colorado and worldwide! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How to Get a Non-Clergy Wedding in California. It took a day for our marriage to be recorded. We entered “atheist” in the box for religious denomination. Other states that allow some form of self-uniting marriage are Wisconsin, Colorado, The District of Columbia, California, Maine and Nevada. The fall is particularly beautiful with the changing leaves. Located in the Elk Mountains near Aspen, Colorado, the Maroon Peak and the North Maroon Peak tower over the valley below, making this location incredible for your Colorado Elopement. Planning your mountain elopement: What you need to know! The case ended with the court ruling that the license could not be denied to anyone. I am fully invested in making sure every single one of my clients has the most amazing elopement day possible. District of Columbia. A confidential California marriage is like a sealed court record: it is kept in the county clerk’s office and available only to the married couple. More on that here! The area comprises a blend of public and private lands, and there are several great locations to choose from for your mountain elopement. Colorado also recognizes common-law marriage and while most states don't, they will recognize a marriage entered into in Colorado. can we have weekend date in marriage certificate for atheist marriage?? The information that is found here are my opinions and the opinions of other readers and should not be taken as financial advice. Mount Rainier is the tallest peak in Washington, at 14,110 feet, and is also an active volcano which makes it a great backdrop for your elopement! For example, in one state, a mayor, magistrate, county clerk, city clerk, judge, or justice may perform the solemnization. Lake Tahoe is a very large lake that covers portions of both California and Nevada. Common Law Marriage, meaning a marriage formed without a license and solemnization, is recognized in the State of Montana. Shoot Femme an email if you’re facing this problem as a Californian and she’ll get you connected to the appropriate people. If you have trouble with this in another California county, tell them there is a procedure that has been used for this in San Francisco. Nobody could dispute that atheists don’t have clergy! We asked all three. Yes, you heard that right. 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