Hello Stephanie,

You have the application. Thats step one. So you need to fill it out, type it, there is a part that says if it isnt typed they will return it to you. If you are divorced you need to give a certified copy of this. Include a letter that states length of stay, if you want a judge to marry you then you need to tell them the day you will be on island so they can plan for this. You should follow up with them since you are on a cruise. It also says that you must personally appear before the Clerk of the Court with identification before the license is given - so I would say yes if you are going to do the wedding on your own then you have to go to the court house, which is in Charlotte Amalie. No blood work required. The fees must be certified check, money order... for the Marriage application of $25, and the fee for the license which is also $25. If the judge is going to perform the wedding there is an additional $200 charge. Marriages are performed mon-fri. Except holidays. You mail the application and fess back to the court office. The address is avialable on this site under weddings.

Are you doing the wedding planning yourself? Judge ceremony or not? Or you using a wedding planner (if so they will do all of this stuff for you - picking up application...)?

--Islander

Getting married is no simple matter for a couple spending only part of one day on St Thomas. There is an 8 day waiting period also after the license is issued. Best bet is to talk to a wedding planner who does this all the time. I was married on St Thomas years ago right on the beach. We had a wedding planner who did all of the foot work and it was so easy for us. We got picked up, flowers and photographer were all planned. The photographer took the photos and gave us the film to get developed ourselves. It all worked out beautifully.
Eddie

The waiting period is for the time between their receivd the mailed application, fees and paperwork and the issuing of the license (I return receipt requested to insure its arrival or fed ex'ed it ... not sure which so I knew it got there!) . There is no waiting period after the license is issued. You must know the name of the official who will be doing the ceremony and the location at the time you pick up the License at the Court House. You will taxi from the ship to the Court House, present pix id and the hard part is done. It is very simple.
You then taxi to the site of your ceremony - hotel, church, synagogue, beach or have the Judge marry you at the court house. Many of the hotels have coordinators who will help you arrange this as I am sure your cruise ship will. I know many cruisers choose the gazebo at the Reef or head to Bolongo Bay for a beach ceremony but don't limit your search to those properties. A coordinator, for a fee, can make all the arrangements for you (some even have limos if you want) or it is relatively easily done on your own.
Best wishes!

Stephanie -

Personally, I think you have chosen the greatest place on Earth to exchange vows!

I'm getting married next month while in port on a cruise, but will actually exchange vows on a beach on St John (ferry ride from St Thomas). Everything Islander said is correct.

I am working with a wedding coordinator who lives on St John, and she has been terrific. She works with cruise passengers on a regular basis, so she understands the importance of getting back to the ship on time. She has just taken that burden from my shoulders. 🙂

If you are looking for a wedding coordinator, do a search on google.com or somewhere. You will find dozens of websites available. They each have very comprehensive websites. From those websites, I found the legal information, pricing, pictures of ceremonies, FAQs, sunset schedules, etc. I personally compared all (made a spreadsheet of prices of each) and even asked questions on message boards. I didn't exactly go with the cheapest, nor the most expensive. I read several great emails from newly married couples who used this coordinator, and made my decision. (I chose NOT to go with my cruiseline's wedding coordinator group for several reasons: they gave me incorrect legal information, were more expensive, and I wanted someone who was local to handle it.)

Fortunately, my fiance and I were there in November for a land vacation on St John - and had the opportunity to meet our wedding coordinator in person. Up until that point, we had only communicated via telephone and email. I was pleased with meeting her. We were also able to take care of the courthouse stuff (getting sworn in - like you will do on your wedding day) and our coordinator will be picking up our marriage license closer to the actual date. So, it really helped us by taking care of the courthouse part early. Mrs. Lockhart (and her staff) have been great in answering my questions via telephone and when we were there in person.

If I remember correctly, we made our $50 cashier's check out to Territorial Court of the US Virgin Islands. And, like Islander said, no blood test required. Yes, there is the 8 day waiting period, but that is AFTER the court receives your initial paperwork and money (don't send it the day you board your ship!). I also called when FedEx showed receipt just to double-check it made it to the right hands.

We have about twenty family/friends cruising with us for our wedding, so our coordinator has been wonderful in setting up the reception, taxi, etc. We all have to make it back to the ship on time, and I have no qualms or fears. I am soooo ready for this day to come!! My parents and grandparents are really excited too!! (None have ever cruised or left the mainland US).

Good luck, and feel free to email me with any questions!

-Mandy in Dallas