Quick Facts for Wedding Officiants in the Virgin Islands

• Ministries of Love Ordination Accepted: Yes

• Minister Registration Required: No

• Minister’s Residency: Not Required

• Minister’s Minimum Age: 18 Years Old

• Marriage License Waiting Period: 8 Days

• Marriage License Valid For: 3 Months

• Marriage License Return Within: 10 Days After Ceremony

Steps to Perform a Wedding in the U.S. Virgin Islands

1. Become an Ordained Minister

To officiate a wedding, you must first be ordained. Ministries of Love offers free online ordination, which takes only a few minutes. Once ordained, you’ll be authorized to officiate legally recognized weddings worldwide.

2. Contact the Family Division of the Superior Court

To ensure compliance with local laws, contact the Family Division of the Superior Court in the Virgin Islands.

Contact Information:
St. Thomas/St. John

• Address: Alexander A. Farrelly Justice Center, 2nd Floor, South Wing, Room S219, 5400 Veteran’s Drive, St. Thomas, VI 00802
• Phone: (340) 774-6680 x6435

St. Croix

• Address: R. H. Amphlett Leader Justice Complex, 1st Floor, Room 104, RR1 9000, Kingshill, VI 00850
• Phone: (340) 778-9750 x6636

Inform them that you are a minister with Ministries of Love and ask what documentation is required to officiate a legal marriage.

3. Obtain Documentation

While minister registration is not required, having proof of ordination is highly recommended to provide assurance to the couple and comply with any potential requests from local officials.

Recommended Documents:

• Ordination Credential
• Certified Letter of Good Standing

These can be ordered through Ministries of Love. Allow at least three weeks for processing and delivery before the wedding date.

4. Assist the Couple with Marriage License Requirements

The couple must obtain their marriage license from the Family Division of the Superior Court.

Requirements:

• Couples may apply in person or, if residing off-island, request documents to be sent to them by the court.
• Off-island couples must submit a letter detailing their visit date and length of stay.
• A waiting period of 8 days applies after the application is submitted, unless waived by the court.

The license is valid for 3 months, and the signed document must be returned to the issuing court within 10 days of the ceremony.

5. Perform the Wedding Ceremony

The ceremony must meet the following legal requirements:

• Presence of Legally Relevant Parties: The officiant and the couple must be present for the ceremony.
• Consent and Pronouncement: The couple must verbally consent to the marriage (e.g., “I do”), and the officiant must pronounce them married.

The rest of the ceremony can be customized to the couple’s preferences.

6. Submit the Marriage License

After the ceremony, the completed and signed marriage license must be returned to the Family Division of the Superior Court within 10 days for legal recording.

Legal Reference: U.S. Virgin Islands Marriage Code

Marriage in the Virgin Islands is governed by Chapter 1 of Title 16 of the Code for the Virgin Islands.

Relevant Excerpt:

“No marriage shall be valid unless solemnized by—
(1) a clergyman or minister of any religion whether he resides in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the United States; or
(2) witnessed by a Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai according to the usage of their religious community; or
(3) any judge or any court of record.”