A couple in an ivory dress and charcoal suit stands at a small wooden table with a marriage license and fountain pen amidst alpine wildflowers at sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park, with dramatic peaks in the background and warm amber lighting creating an intimate atmosphere.

How I Learned to Elope Without Losing My Mind (Or My Marriage License)

How I Learned to Elope Without Losing My Mind (Or My Marriage License)

Eloping sounds romantic until you realize you still need paperwork, witnesses, and someone to actually marry you.

I remember sitting at my kitchen table with my partner, scrolling through wedding venue prices that made my eyes water. $15,000 for a single day? We looked at each other and said the same thing: “Let’s just elope.”

Turns out, eloping isn’t as simple as running off to Vegas at midnight (though you absolutely can do that). You’ve still got legal hoops to jump through, but they’re way smaller hoops than planning a 200-person reception.

A couple stands in a romantic elopement scene at Rocky Mountain National Park during sunrise, bathed in soft golden light. They are dressed in a simple white dress and tailored suit, with a small folding table in the foreground holding a marriage license, surrounded by intricate alpine wildflowers, creating an intimate and emotional atmosphere.

What Even Is Eloping Anymore?

Eloping used to mean sneaking off without telling anyone. Now it just means skipping the big wedding circus and keeping things intimate.

You can elope with:

  • Just the two of you
  • A handful of close friends
  • Your dog as the only witness (check your state laws first)
  • Parents who promise not to invite their entire book club

The core difference? You’re prioritizing your marriage over a massive party.

The Legal Stuff Nobody Warns You About

Here’s where I messed up initially: I assumed eloping meant we could just declare ourselves married and call it a day.

Wrong.

Every state wants their paperwork, and they want it done right.

Getting Your Marriage License (The Actual Important Part)

Your marriage license is the only thing that makes your elopement legally binding. Without it, you’re just two people who had a nice ceremony and maybe some cake.

What you’ll need:

  • Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport)
  • Your Social Security number
  • Birth certificate (sometimes)
  • Divorce decree if you were previously married
  • $60-$150 depending on your county
  • Your partner, physically present (most states require both of you)

I showed up to the county clerk’s office without my birth certificate. They sent me home. Don’t be like me.

An elegant county clerk's office interior with large windows allowing soft natural light, featuring a minimalist wooden counter where a couple completes marriage license paperwork, surrounded by pristine white walls and muted sage green accents, with vintage brass details on filing cabinets, captured in a Leica camera perspective with shallow depth of field emphasizing their connection.

The Annoying Waiting Period Problem

Some states make you wait between getting your license and actually getting married.

States with waiting periods:

  • Wisconsin: 5 days (the longest)
  • Texas: 72 hours
  • Florida: 3 days
  • Alaska: 3 days
  • Illinois: 1 day
  • New York: 24 hours

Most states let you request a waiver if you’re in a rush. Or you can do what we considered: drive to a state with no waiting period.

States with zero waiting period:

  • California (sort of—there’s a 1-day activation period)
  • Nevada (hello, Vegas)
  • Colorado
  • Montana

The constitutional kicker? Every state has to recognize marriages from other states. So yes, you can absolutely elope in Vegas even if you live in Wisconsin.

Do You Actually Need Someone to Marry You?

Short answer: usually yes. Long answer: depends where you are.

The Officiant Situation

Most states require someone to officiate your ceremony. This can be:

  • A judge
  • A religious leader (priest, rabbi, minister)
  • A friend who got ordained online (yes, this is legal)
  • A professional celebrant
  • Sometimes just a county clerk

I had my college roommate get ordained through the Universal Life Church. It took her 10 minutes online and cost exactly zero dollars.

Want to skip the officiant entirely? Self-solemnization is legal in:

  • Colorado
  • Pennsylvania
  • California
  • Montana
  • Wisconsin (with restrictions)

This means you literally marry yourselves. No third party needed. We almost did this until we realized my friend really wanted to officiate.

A couple stands on a weathered wooden boardwalk at sunset, overlooking the Pacific Ocean; the bride wears a flowing ivory dress and the groom a relaxed linen suit, as warm golden hour lighting creates dramatic silhouettes, complemented by a vintage leather portfolio of marriage documents and the soft ocean breeze gently moving the fabric.

The Witness Wild Card

Witness requirements are all over the map.

  • California: 1 witness with a public license, 0 with a confidential license
  • Florida: 0 witnesses required
  • Most other states: 1-2 witnesses over 18

Pro tip: If you’re eloping without guests, bring a portable Bluetooth speaker and ask someone nearby to witness. We’ve been witnesses for three different couples at scenic overlooks. It’s always lovely.

How I Actually Eloped (The Step-by-Step)

Here’s exactly what we did, mistakes included.

Step 1: Picked Our Location

We wanted mountains. Colorado checked every box: stunning views, no waiting period, and self-solemnization allowed.

Step 2: Applied for the Marriage License

We went to the county clerk’s office in the county where we planned to marry. Brought our IDs, Social Security cards, and payment. The whole thing took 30 minutes.

Step 3: Found Our Spot

We scouted locations the day before. Picked a spot near Rocky Mountain National Park at sunrise. Brought a small folding table for our license signing ceremony.

An intimate courthouse wedding with a couple before a judge, featuring a minimalist interior of historic marble, soft lighting, the bride in an ivory jumpsuit and groom in a charcoal gray suit, complemented by a small white rose arrangement and vintage architectural details.

Step 4: Got Dressed

I wore a simple white dress I found online. My partner wore a suit they already owned. We packed everything in a sturdy backpack since we hiked to our spot.

Step 5: Said Our Vows

Just us, the mountains, and a portable phone tripod recording everything. We wrote our own vows. I cried. They cried. It was perfect.

Step 6: Signed the License
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