Frequently Asked Questions |
You can get the Wedding Application right here. The layout is a little confusing so read the next section for some hints in filling it out.
The court says you need to type the application, but if your computer doesn’t let you fill it out using Adobe, you can print the application, and if you can print with a pen so everyone can read it, it will be accepted.
Fill in names and addresses on the 1st two lines. Use your street address, city, state and zip code.
On the “do hereby apply for and request” section, fill in St. Thomas.
On “the Usual Residence” line, you can just use city and state for the address.
“Previous Marital Status” really means present marital status. You’re either single, divorced, or widowed.
“Related to other applicant”. Yes or no. If yes, “In what degree”. (For example, second cousins.)
Parents/Guardians: After “Present Name”, fill in your father’s name. After “Maiden name”, fill in your mother’s maiden name. After “place of birth” put father’s city and state, and then mother’s city and state. You may have to change the font size to fit it all in.
Then you both sign.
You don’t have to fill in anything after that, unless there are less than eight working days before your ceremony. If so, call or write me, and I’ll tell you more. You don’t have to be on island for eight days.
There is another form, the “License and Certificate of Marriage” that some of the hotels and wedding companies have you fill out. You don’t have to do that, the court will do it while you wait. The ladies at the court are really fast.
Besides the signed application, you also need to send a certified check or postal money order for $100, and made out to the “Superior Court of the VI”. The postal money orders usually cost less. And if either of you have been married before, send the copy of the divorce decree/death notice (see above).
You can mail all of this to me at:
Bill Arnet
6310 Wintberg
St. Thomas, VI 00802
US mail works better getting to me than FedEx or UPS. It’s an island thing. They can’t find my house. If you really need to send it fast, use express mail.
I will file it with the court and let you know when I did it.
Or you can send it directly to the court at:
Superior Court of the Virgin Islands
PO Box 70
St. Thomas, USVI 00804
But you should also include my name as the officiate, the day you will be coming in to pick up your license, and a phone number that they can reach you at in case they need something else.
When you arrive on island you both have to pick up your license in person at the courthouse before the ceremony. Although casual dress is permitted, you shouldn't wear shorts, halter tops or flip-flops when appearing before the court. Bring along a government issued photo i.d., like a passport or driver’s license, so you can prove that you are really you. The Superior Court is in the Alexander Farrelly Justice Center, on the waterfront downtown, and right across the street from the Ft. Christian parking lot. All the taxi drivers know where it is, and it will be on most every downtown map if you’re renting a car. The court is open from 8:00 to 5:00, Mon. - Fri. and 10-12:00 Sat. morning. You can also get it on Sun. from 9:30 to 11:30, but it’s by arrangement, and costs an additional $150.
The location is on the second floor. It’s easiest walking up the outside staircase; turn left, and go to the end and through the door. There will be a security check, but not too much. You’ll see what I mean. When you get to the counter inside, tell them you’re there for your wedding license, and they’ll take care of you. When they ask you to look over the license to make sure it’s correct, do check it out carefully. If a mistake was made, it’s difficult to change it after you’re married.
Don’t forget to bring the license to the wedding. I’ll fill it out and have the two witnesses sign. The court will give you three copies. You get one, I get one, and I’ll file the original. The court will mail you two certified copies in the mail. That should be in 2-3 weeks. If you need it faster than that, or more than 2 copies, let me know.
Yes! If either of you are divorced you need to send your most recent Certified Divorce Decree in English (with a raised seal or stamped certified copy) signed by the judge from the court in which you were divorced (not just a notarized copy). Your divorce must be final and dated thirty days prior to your wedding date if contested or by default. If either spouse is widowed, you will need a certified, stamped copy of your spouse's death certificate.
Most couples want to get married on the beach, and there are four beaches I can recommend for your ceremony. The prettiest, I think, is Magen’s Bay. That’s where I got married. It does charge a $100 site fee, and $4 per guest. They do have a nice beach bar and snack bar. It is a popular beach, and you might want to have your ceremony before 11:00 because the lighting is beautiful for pictures, and occasionally if there are a lot of cruise ships here, there are more people walking by. On weekends I do recommend you start by 10:00 a.m., because often a lot of locals come to the beach. All of our beaches by law are open to the public. When you get to the gate at Magen’s, you tell them you are there for your wedding, and that Bill Arnet will be officiating and will pay them after the ceremony. They won’t charge you the usual entrance fee, but your guests still have to pay.
Another beach is Lindquist Beach in Smith Bay. The government just recently started using it for weddings, and they charge $100, and $4.00 per guest, too. Because it’s new, they don’t have beach facilities, just port-o-potties. Also no concession stands. But it is quite pretty.
Another beach that has fewer visitors is Limetree Beach, also known as Bluebeard's Beach. There is a $110 charge for that, and they do want a reservation so there is only one wedding at a time. There’s a grassy area under palm trees with the beach right behind. They do have a bar/restaurant right there, and it opens for lunch.
The last beach is at Lindbergh Bay, and there is no site fee. Again, it is open to the public, but having your ceremony in the morning is the key to not having many people around. They also have a bar and restaurant. It’s a very nice beach, and no charge!
There are a few places that rent out their facilities. One of the nicest is the St. Peter Mountain Great House. It’s pretty expensive, but has a terrific view. See it at http://www.greathouse-mountaintop.com/weddings.htm.
Vill Botanica is another beautiful place and you can see it at http://www.islands.vi.
There are some wedding sites that are less expensive. One of the wedding companies rents out their wedding location, Villa Sunscape. The charge is $75, and it has a wonderful view of the town and harbor.
One of the wedding companies rents out their location, Harbor Lights. The charge is $75, and has a wonderful view of the town and harbor.
Another wedding company also rents out their location, Garden Terrace. It’s in more of a garden setting, with views of some of the British and U.S. islands in the background. They also charge $75.
Many people want to get married on the beach, and St. John has some really pretty ones. The ones that I recommend are Hawksnest Beach, Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay. However, all of the beaches in St. John are in the National Park, and so of course, there is a charge.
Many people staying in St. John stay at a private villa, and have the ceremony there. If you choose that, you will have to make arrangements to pick me up from the ferry dock and take me to the villa, because I won’t know how to get there. And you’ll have to get me back to the dock, too.
Whether you’re staying at a hotel, or coming on a cruise ship, there will be lots of taxis wanting to take you around. However, taxis are expensive, and you may wind up sharing a taxi with other visitors. If you have a wedding party of eight or more, I can recommend a driver who can meet you and transport everyone.
Another option is to rent a car, and drive yourself to where you want to go. But be aware that we drive on the left side of the road, and some people don’t want to take the risk of learning how to do that. Also, our roads aren’t in straight lines, and directions can be confusing. We have the usual car rental companies, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, and others.
If you want to travel in style, I can recommend a couple limousine companies for you.
I work with many of them, and will be happy to recommend the better ones for you.
No, that's not really part of my service, but I can recommend some florists for you to contact. And they will deliver the flowers.
I’m glad you asked. I need a $50 deposit, with the check made out to “William Arnet”. You pay the balance after the ceremony. I ask for the balance in either cash or traveler’s checks. (cash preferred!) If there are additional expenses, like the site fee, I need that after the ceremony, and that does need to be cash.