How to Get Married Online in West Virginia

By Distant Vows | Updated 2026

If you are trying to figure out how to get married online in West Virginia, you will find a process that moves quickly once you are standing at the Clerk of the County Commission’s office, but that has two requirements that catch many couples off guard. West Virginia limits who can legally officiate a marriage more narrowly than most states: only a Secretary-of-State-registered religious representative, a family court judge, a circuit judge, or a Supreme Court justice may perform the ceremony. Notaries Public have no such authority in West Virginia.

Second, your license is only valid for 60 days from issuance and may only be used within West Virginia. Couples who want to get married online in West Virginia without dealing with these restrictions choose Utah’s online system through Distant Vows instead.

By using Utah’s fully legal online marriage system through Distant Vows, West Virginia couples can get married online in West Virginia 100% virtually and receive a U.S. marriage certificate valid in West Virginia and all 50 states. If you are comparing rules across the country, you can also review our full guide on how to get married online in all 50 states.

How West Virginia Marriage Usually Works if You Don’t Get Married Online in West Virginia

West Virginia marriages are governed by West Virginia Code Chapter 48, Article 2. Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the County Commission in each county. Both applicants must appear together in person and sign the application under oath before the clerk or another person authorized to administer oaths. West Virginia residents must apply in the county where either applicant lives. Non-residents of West Virginia may apply in any county, provided the marriage would be legal in their home state.

West Virginia has no waiting period for adults. Once both applicants appear, provide their documentation, and pay the $56 fee, the license is issued the same day. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance and may only be used for a ceremony performed within West Virginia. If the 60-day window passes before the ceremony takes place, the license expires and the couple must reapply and pay the fee again. One cost-saving option exists: if either applicant completed a four-hour premarital education course within the 12 months immediately before the application date, and presents a signed certificate from the provider at the time of application, the fee drops from $56 to $36.

After the ceremony, the officiant must endorse the license with the date, time, and place of the marriage and return the original to the issuing County Clerk’s office by the sixth day of the month following the ceremony. West Virginia is not an open-records state for marriage licenses. Only the couple themselves, their child, or their grandchild may request a certified copy of the marriage certificate. Certified copies cost $5 per copy. West Virginia does not permit proxy marriages, and the state does not recognize new common-law marriages formed within its borders, although it does recognize common-law marriages that were legally established in states where such marriages are valid.

West Virginia’s officiant rules are more restrictive than most states. The only people who may legally solemnize a marriage in West Virginia are a religious representative who has registered with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office, a family court judge, a circuit judge, or a justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals. Notaries Public, who are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in states like Virginia and Florida, have no such authority in West Virginia. Out-of-state clergy must also register with the Secretary of State before officiating a West Virginia ceremony. Couples who want to get married online in West Virginia through Utah use Distant Vows officiants licensed under Utah law, which sidesteps West Virginia’s registration requirement entirely.

Documents, Waiting Period, and Age Requirements in West Virginia

The age of consent for marriage in West Virginia is 18. Applicants who are 16 or 17 may obtain a license with the written consent of both parents or legal guardians. Both consenting parents must appear in person with valid photo ID, or a single parent may appear alone with certified documentation establishing full legal custody. A court-appointed guardian must also bring a certified copy of the guardianship appointment.

When a minor is involved, West Virginia imposes a three-day waiting period between the application and issuance of the license, though a circuit court judge in the same county may waive this for extraordinary circumstances. No person under 16 may marry without a circuit court judge’s order in addition to parental consent.

Standard requirements at the Clerk of the County Commission’s office include the following:

Valid proof of age and identity for each applicant. Acceptable documents include a current driver’s license, state-issued ID, U.S. Armed Forces ID, certified birth certificate, passport, green card, or visa. Foreign-language birth certificates must be translated and authenticated before the clerk can accept them.
Social Security numbers for both applicants. For a legal alien without a Social Security number, a tourist or visitor visa number or equivalent is required under West Virginia Code section 48-2-104(b).
The exact date any prior marriage ended, whether by divorce, annulment, or death. If divorced within the past 30 days, some county clerks will ask for a certified copy of the divorce decree as a matter of local practice, though it is not mandated by state code.
A signed premarital education certificate if the couple wishes to pay the reduced $36 fee. The certificate must be signed by the course provider, dated within the past 12 months, and presented at the time of application. It cannot be submitted afterward.

Are Online Weddings Allowed Directly if You Want to Get Married Online in West Virginia?

Some West Virginia county clerk offices allow couples to download and pre-complete the marriage license application from the county website before appearing in person, which can shorten the time spent at the office. However, both applicants must still appear together before the clerk, sign under oath in person, and present their original identification documents. The application cannot be mailed, submitted digitally, or completed by one partner on behalf of the other.

West Virginia also has no mechanism for a marriage ceremony to be conducted entirely by video under a West Virginia license. The officiant must be physically present with the couple, and the officiant must be registered with the Secretary of State or be a sitting judge. These combined requirements are why couples who want to get married online in West Virginia choose to marry under Utah law through a live video ceremony and use their Utah certificate in West Virginia instead.

4 Steps to Get Married Online in West Virginia with Distant Vows (Through Utah)

With Distant Vows, the same four-step process applies whether you want to get married online in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, or Ohio. The legal engine is always Utah’s online marriage system, which allows couples to apply for a license and hold a ceremony entirely over video while still being recognized nationwide.

Step 1 – Verify Your Eligibility

First, you confirm that you and your partner meet basic Utah requirements and complete Distant Vows’ quick intake form. Typically, you both must be 18 or older, not currently married to anyone else, and able to join a live video call together. This foundation lets couples who want to get married online in West Virginia do so fully under Utah law. West Virginia recognizes marriages valid where they are performed, so couples who get married online in West Virginia through Utah receive a certificate valid in the Mountain State.

Confirm you are legally free to marry, whether single, divorced, or widowed.
Gather valid government-issued photo IDs, such as a West Virginia driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
Make sure you have a stable internet connection and a device with audio and video so you can comfortably get married online in West Virginia.

Step 2 – Choose Your Package and Ceremony Date

Next, you choose a Distant Vows package and select a ceremony date and time that works for your schedule in Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Martinsburg, Wheeling, Beckley, or anywhere else. You can keep the ceremony short and simple or personalize it with vows, readings, and guests watching online as you get married online in West Virginia.

Select a basic legal-only ceremony or a more personalized experience.
Pick a time that works for your time zone and any guests joining from West Virginia or overseas.
Tell us if you need witness support, custom vows, religious or civil wording, or language options.

Step 3 – Apply for Your Utah Online Marriage License

After you pick your date, you complete a Utah online marriage license application. Utah County’s system lets you submit everything digitally, including your information, ID uploads, and signatures. You never have to visit a West Virginia County Clerk’s office, you face no 60-day expiration countdown, and you do not need to locate a Secretary-of-State-registered officiant, because the license is issued by Utah even though your goal is to get married online in West Virginia.

Fill out the secure Utah County application form online from your home in West Virginia or anywhere in the world.
Upload clear images of your IDs and any requested documents, such as divorce decrees if applicable.
Respond to any brief follow-up from the Utah clerk if they need clarification before issuing the license.

A Utah online marriage license is valid for 32 days from the date it is issued, and Distant Vows schedules your ceremony within that 32-day window so your marriage is properly created under Utah law.

Step 4 – Attend Your Online Ceremony and Get Your Certificate

On your wedding day, you and your partner join a live video ceremony with a Utah-licensed officiant. Two adult witnesses are required and they can join from anywhere in the world. If you do not have friends or family available, you can invite them at no charge, or use our witness service for a small fee.

Join from your home in West Virginia or from anywhere in the world, as long as you are both on the same live video call.
Participate in a real-time ceremony where you exchange vows and say your “I dos.” This is the moment you actually get married online in West Virginia, even though the legal ceremony is taking place under Utah law.
After the ceremony, your officiant files the certificate in Utah and you receive your official Utah County marriage certificate digitally and, if requested, by mail.

West Virginia County Commission Clerk vs Online Utah Marriage

Before you decide how to get married online in West Virginia, it helps to compare the two approaches side by side. The table below shows the key differences between the traditional West Virginia process and using Distant Vows to get married online in West Virginia through Utah.

Feature	Traditional West Virginia Marriage	Get Married Online with Distant Vows (Utah)
Issuing office	Clerk of the County Commission in any West Virginia county. Residents apply in the county of either applicant’s residence. Non-residents may apply in any county, provided the marriage is legal in their home state.	Utah County online application. No office visit required in West Virginia or anywhere else.
In-person requirement	Both applicants must appear together in person and sign the application under oath before the clerk. Neither may apply absentee or by mail.	No in-person visits required. Everything is completed online.
Waiting period	None for adults 18 and older. A three-day waiting period applies when either applicant is a minor. The circuit court may waive the minor wait in extraordinary circumstances.	No waiting period. Utah license is issued after online review and the ceremony is scheduled within the 32-day validity window.
License validity	60 days from issuance. May only be used in West Virginia. If unused after 60 days, the license is void and reapplication is required.	Utah license valid for 32 days. Ceremony can be attended from West Virginia or anywhere in the world.
Officiant rules	Only a Secretary-of-State-registered religious representative, family court judge, circuit judge, or Supreme Court justice may officiate. Notaries Public cannot perform marriages in West Virginia. Out-of-state clergy must register before officiating.	Distant Vows officiants are licensed under Utah law. No Secretary of State registration required.
Witnesses	No witnesses required by West Virginia state law. The officiant alone completes the endorsement.	Two adult witnesses required under Utah law. Distant Vows can provide them if needed.
Certificate privacy	West Virginia is not an open-records state for marriage certificates. Only the couple, their child, or their grandchild may request a certified copy. Certified copies cost $5.	Utah certificates are issued by Utah County. Distant Vows delivers a certified digital copy after filing.
Valid in West Virginia	Yes.	Yes, and in all 50 states once properly issued and filed in Utah, because West Virginia recognizes marriages that are valid where they were performed.
International use	May require apostille or legalization depending on the foreign country’s rules.	Utah certificates can receive an apostille for use in many countries, even if you get married online in West Virginia. Learn more at Distant Vows apostille services.

Military Couples in West Virginia

West Virginia is one of the few states in the country with no active-duty military installation. All of the state’s military presence is concentrated in the West Virginia National Guard, which operates two air wings, a major training facility, and one of the oldest military units in the entire United States Army.

For Guard members at Shepherd Field whose partners live in the D.C. metro, or for 130th personnel in Charleston with spouses stationed elsewhere, the in-person clerk requirement and the 60-day window can make coordinating a marriage difficult. Couples who want to get married online in West Virginia through Utah join a live video ceremony from wherever they are, with no county office visit required. You can read more at Distant Vows for Military Couples.

Immigration and Long-Distance Couples in West Virginia

West Virginia has one of the smallest immigrant populations of any state. According to USAFacts, approximately 37,000 foreign-born residents lived in West Virginia in 2024, representing about 2.1 percent of the total population, compared to the national average of approximately 14.8 percent. This number has grown from roughly 25,000 in 2014, a 48 percent increase over a decade, but the state remains one of the least immigrant-dense in the country. West Virginia also has the unusual demographic challenge of overall population decline, making immigration one of the few sources of population growth.

For binational couples who want to get married online in West Virginia and where one partner remains outside the country, the county clerk’s in-person requirement makes the traditional process difficult. When you get married online in West Virginia through Utah, your partner can be anywhere in the world on the day of the ceremony. No in-person appearance is required anywhere. The Utah County certificate is accepted by USCIS for spousal visa and green card applications, and Distant Vows can help you obtain an apostille if your certificate needs to be recognized in another country. You can learn more at Distant Vows apostille services.

Couples researching international marriage recognition may also want to read our guide on whether getting married online affects immigration cases.

Using Your Utah Certificate After You Get Married Online in West Virginia

After you get married online in West Virginia through Utah, your certified Utah County marriage certificate is your primary legal document. West Virginia agencies accept any valid U.S. marriage certificate.

Change your name with the Social Security Administration first. West Virginia’s DMV checks SSA records for name changes on driver’s licenses, so updating SSA before visiting the DMV prevents delays.
Update your West Virginia driver’s license or state ID through the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. This step is the same whether you used a West Virginia county license or chose to get married online in West Virginia through Utah.
Adjust your name and marital status with banks, employers, schools, and insurance providers.
Use your certificate for USCIS spousal visa and green card applications. The Utah County certificate is treated the same as any West Virginia-issued license for immigration purposes.

Many couples who get married online in West Virginia also use their Utah certificate to complete a legal name change. This process is the same whether you used a West Virginia license or chose to get married online in West Virginia through Utah. You can learn more in our guide on how to change your name after getting married online.

Related Online Marriage Guides

If you are researching how to get married online in West Virginia or nearby states, you may also want to read:

FAQ: Getting Married Online in West Virginia

Is it legal to get married online in West Virginia?
West Virginia recognizes marriages valid where they are performed. When you get married online in West Virginia through Utah’s system, your marriage is valid under Utah law and West Virginia must recognize it even though the ceremony happens over video. West Virginia’s own requirements about in-person clerk appearances, the 60-day license window, and the Secretary of State officiant registration apply only to West Virginia marriage licenses, not to marriages legally performed in Utah.

Can a Notary Public perform a marriage in West Virginia?
No. West Virginia law strictly limits officiants to Secretary-of-State-registered religious representatives, family court judges, circuit judges, and justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals. Notaries Public, who can officiate marriages in neighboring Virginia and in many other states, have no authority to perform marriages in West Virginia. When you choose to get married online in West Virginia through Distant Vows, our officiants are licensed under Utah law, so West Virginia’s Secretary of State registration requirement does not apply at all.

Do we need witnesses for a West Virginia marriage?
West Virginia state law does not require witnesses. The officiant alone endorses the license. Couples who get married online in West Virginia through Utah do need two adult witnesses, because Utah law requires them. Distant Vows can provide witnesses if needed.

Does West Virginia recognize common-law marriage?
West Virginia does not permit new common-law marriages to be formed within the state. However, West Virginia does recognize common-law marriages that were legally established in another state where such marriages are valid. For couples who want a formal documented legal record, a Utah online marriage certificate is a more reliable option than any common-law arrangement.

Why does the West Virginia marriage license only last 60 days?
West Virginia Code requires the license to be used within 60 days of issuance, and it may only be used for a ceremony within the state. Couples who apply well in advance of a planned ceremony date risk expiration if plans change, which means reapplying and paying the fee again. The Utah license issued by Distant Vows is valid for 32 days, and we schedule your ceremony within that window so nothing expires before your wedding day.

Can National Guard members in West Virginia get married online this way?
Yes. Both partners join the ceremony by video from wherever they are. A Guard member on deployment or stationed at another installation can participate from any location while the other partner remains in West Virginia or elsewhere. Choosing to get married online in West Virginia through Utah means no county clerk visit and no 60-day expiration clock. You can read more at Distant Vows for Military Couples.

Can same-sex couples get married online this way?
Yes. West Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban was struck down by Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26, 2015. Same-sex couples who want to get married online in West Virginia can do so through Utah and receive the same legal certificate as any other couple.

How fast can we get married online from West Virginia?
Many couples complete all four steps and receive their digital certificate within a few days. Rush options are available for couples who need to get married online in West Virginia on a tighter timeline. Whether you are in Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Martinsburg, Wheeling, or a small Mountain State community, the steps to get married online in West Virginia through Distant Vows are the same for every couple.

For details on West Virginia’s traditional marriage license requirements, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and your local Clerk of the County Commission provide official guidance. For couples who want to get married online in West Virginia without visiting a county office or dealing with the Secretary of State officiant registration process, Distant Vows handles everything remotely.

Ready to Get Married Online in West Virginia?

If you are ready to get married online in West Virginia, Distant Vows makes the process simple. Couples who get married online in West Virginia through Distant Vows receive the same legally valid U.S. certificate as any couple who uses a West Virginia county license. Our four-step system walks you from eligibility to your official U.S. marriage certificate, with licensed Utah officiants, witness support, and clear guidance at every stage.

Start today and let us handle the legal details so you can get married online in West Virginia without leaving home. Every week, couples from Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Martinsburg, Wheeling, and across the Mountain State choose Distant Vows to get married online in West Virginia. You can begin by completing our intake form at get married online. Hundreds of Mountain State couples have already used Distant Vows to get married online in West Virginia.

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