Easiest Places to Elope in the U.S.

Practical, stress-free, and legally simple options for couples who want an easy elopement experience.

Planning an elopement should feel exciting—not overwhelming. And for many couples, the “best” place to elope isn’t necessarily the most remote or the most photogenic… it’s the easiest.

If you’re dreaming of a wedding day focused on the two of you (not a mountain of paperwork), this guide breaks down the easiest places to elope in the U.S. based on real legal requirements like:

• No waiting periods

• No witnesses required

• No residency rules

• Self-solemnization options

• Fast, simple marriage license processes

I’ve photographed elopements across the country, and these states consistently offer the simplest, smoothest experience for couples wanting a no-stress “just us” celebration.

Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents ↓

What Makes a State “Easy” to Elope In?

When couples want the least stressful elopement possible, the simplest states share at least one (often several) of these qualities:

• No waiting period after you get your marriage license

• No witnesses required, allowing true “just us two” ceremonies

• No residency requirement

• Low fees & fast processing

• Self-solemnization (you can marry yourselves)

• Flexible officiant rules

• Courthouses that issue licenses same-day

The states below are where those factors come together beautifully.

Easiest Places to Elope in the U.S. Overall

These states check the most boxes for an easy elopement:
✔ No waiting period
✔ No witnesses
✔ No residency requirement
✔ Simple or flexible officiant rules
✔ Visitor-friendly license process

State	Waiting Period	Witnesses Required	Residency Required	Self-Solemnization	Why It's Easy
Alabama	None	No	No	No	No ceremony or officiant required
Arkansas	None	No	No	No	Simple licensing + low fees
Colorado	None	No	No	Yes	Self-solemnization allowed
Connecticut	None	No	No	No	Fast application-to-marriage process
Florida (non-residents)	None	No	No	No	No-wait license for travelers
Hawaii	None	No	No	No	Simple online application + efficient licensing
Idaho	None	No	No	No	No expiration date on license
Indiana	None	No	No	No	Fast courthouse process
Mississippi	None	No	No	No	Minimal requirements
Missouri	None	No	No	No	Quick, flexible licensing
Montana	None	No	No	No	Flexible rules + scenic public lands
New Hampshire	None	No	No	No	Simple, traveler-friendly
Ohio	None	No	No	No	Easy courthouse process
Tennessee	None	No	No	No	No witnesses + quick marriage license
Vermont	None	No	No	No	Simple and scenic
Virginia	None	No	No	No	Easy for out-of-state couples
Washington, D.C.	None	No	No	With approval	License never expires
West Virginia	None	No	No	No	Fast, flexible licensing

State Guides for the Easiest States to Elope

1. Alabama Elopement Guide

2. Colorado Elopement Guide (famously, Colorado even allows dogs to legally solemnize marriages!)

3. Florida Elopement Guide

4. Hawaii Elopement Guide

5. Idaho Elopement Guide

6. Montana Elopement Guide

7. New Hampshire Elopement Guide

8. Tennessee Elopement Guide

9. Virginia Elopement Guide

10. West Virginia Elopement Guide

Where to Get Married Just the Two of us – States That Don’t Require Witnesses

If you envision literally just the two of you exchanging vows on your wedding day without a group of family and friends, consider eloping in one of the states that doesn’t require any witnesses. The following states are some of the easiest places to elope for that very reason!

1. Alabama

2. Arkansas

3. Colorado (self-solemnization allowed)

4. Connecticut

5. Washington D.C.

6. Florida (No-wait license for travelers)

7. Idaho

8. Illinois Elopement Guide

9. Indiana

10. Maryland Elopement Guide

11. Massachusetts

12. Mississippi

13. Missouri

14. Montana (most flexible marriage laws in the U.S.)

15. Pennsylvania (self-uniting license available)

16. South Carolina

17. Tennessee

18. Texas Elopement Guide

19. Vermont

20. Virginia

21. West Virginia

Where to Get Married the Same Day – States With No Waiting Period

Waiting periods were put into place to prevent hasty “shotgun” weddings, but there are many reasons why couples want to get married on the same day. One of the most common is traveling to another state to elope and having a limited amount of time. These states are some of the easiest places to elope specifically because they don’t require a waiting period and are perfect for travelers, last-minute elopements, or couples working on a tight schedule.

1. Alabama

2. Arizona Elopement Guide

3. Arkansas

4. California Elopement Guide

5. Colorado

6. Connecticut

7. Washington D.C.

8. Georgia

9. Hawaii

10. Idaho

11. Indiana

12. Kentucky

13. Maine

14. Minnesota

15. Missouri

16. Montana

17. Nebraska

18. Nevada (Las Vegas = famous for speed)

19. New Hampshire

20. New Mexico

21. North Carolina

22. North Dakota

23. Ohio

24. Oklahoma

25. Rhode Island

26. South Dakota

27. Tennessee

28. Utah (only legally recognized virtual marriage process in the U.S.)

29. Vermont

30. Virginia

31. West Virginia

32. Wyoming

People Also Ask: Answers to the Most Searched Questions About Easy Elopements

• What is the easiest state to get married in?

  Colorado, Alabama, and Connecticut are often considered the easiest states for eloping because they have:

  • no waiting period

  • no witness requirements

  • no residency requirements

  • fast, streamlined marriage license processes

  Colorado is especially known for allowing self-solemnization, meaning couples can legally marry themselves without an officiant.

• Which states allow self-solemnization?

  Colorado is the only U.S. state where self-solemnization is universally recognized without additional paperwork.
  Washington, D.C. also allows self-officiating with a quick approval process.

  This makes Colorado (and D.C.) extremely popular for couples who want a completely private, deeply personal “just us” ceremony.

• Are online-ordained ministers recognized in the U.S.?

  Yes — most U.S. states recognize online ordination through ministries like Universal Life Church (ULC) or American Marriage Ministries (AMM). This makes it incredibly easy to have a friend or family member officiate your ceremony.

  However, a few states have additional restrictions:

  • Tennessee — Online-ordained officiants are not recognized unless ordained through a physical congregation.

  • Virginia — Acceptance varies by county; some require court approval for online-ordained officiants.

  • Pennsylvania — Online ordination is not valid for traditional officiants, but couples can apply for a self-uniting license instead.

  • West Virginia — Some counties require officiants to be affiliated with an established congregation.

  Everywhere else recognizes online ordination, making it a simple and meaningful option for couples who want someone personal to lead their ceremony.

• Where can we get married quickly?

  If you want to get married the same day you obtain your marriage license, choose a state with no waiting period. Popular options include:

  • Colorado

  • Florida (non-residents)

  • Hawaii

  • Nevada

  • Tennessee

  • New Mexico

  • West Virginia

  See the full no-waiting-period table above for all qualifying states.

• Which states don’t require witnesses?

  A total of 20 states + Washington, D.C. do not require witnesses.
  This allows for a truly private “just us” elopement.

  Top choices include:

  • Alabama

  • Colorado

  • Florida

  • Idaho

  • Montana

  • Tennessee

  • Texas

  • Virginia

  • West Virginia

  The full table (above) breaks down every no-witness state and links to the relevant guides.

• Do we need an officiant to elope?

  It depends on the state you’re getting married in. Some states require an officiant, while others allow you to legally marry without one.

  Here’s the accurate breakdown:

  • Colorado — No officiant needed. Couples can self-solemnize and legally marry themselves.

  • Alabama — No officiant needed. Alabama uses a notarized marriage certificate instead of a marriage license or ceremony, so no officiant is required.

  • Pennsylvania — Not required if you obtain a self-uniting license. This allows couples to marry themselves without an officiant or witness signatures (depending on the county).

  • Washington, D.C. — Allows self-officiating with court authorization.

  • All other U.S. states require an officiant, but most accept:

    • judges

    • clergy

    • and friends or family who become legally ordained (except in states with restrictions such as Tennessee, Virginia, or certain counties in West Virginia or Pennsylvania).

  This gives couples a lot of flexibility when choosing someone meaningful to lead their ceremony.

• What do we need to legally elope in the U.S.?

  Requirements vary by state, but generally you’ll need:

  • both partners present

  • valid government-issued ID

  • marriage license fee

  • officiant (unless self-solemnizing)

  • witnesses (unless in a state that doesn’t require them)

  Your ceremony can be as formal or laid-back as you want—the legal part is surprisingly simple in most states.

• Can we get a digital marriage license in the U.S.?

  Yes — Utah is the only state that allows a fully digital marriage license and legally valid Zoom ceremony through counties like Utah County and Salt Lake County. This does not replace the in-person requirements for an elopement ceremony in Utah locations such as Moab, Zion, or the Salt Flats.

Ready to Start Planning Your Easy, Stress-free Elopement?

Wherever your elopement takes you, I’d love to help you craft a day that feels intentional, meaningful, and authentically you.

I travel everywhere—all travel fees are included in every elopement package—and I’m here to help with:

• choosing the right location

• navigating marriage laws

• permits and logistics

• building your personalized timeline

• capturing every moment beautifully

Let’s start planning your dream elopement.

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