HI! I have a good friend that just got engaged and wants to elope sort of...Just her her fiance and her 2 kids. They would like to go to Arizona but I guess they require witnesses. Other states she has checked out also require witnesses. How does she get around this? I told her to ask the Photographer if she would sign as a witness and maybe pay a little extra for the photographer to bring a date. I was sort of joking I guess. Any tips on how you work it out if you want to elope but dont have adult witnesses and no she doesnt want to do Vegas with her kids. She really has her heart set on Arizona. Thanks!!
2008-05-06T05:21:19Z
I guess I should add. they are planning on doing it somewhere other then the courthouse. They are renting a beautiful vacation home and were thinking of just tying the knot there.
2008-05-06T05:26:45Z
Hi Pearl Jam...no rush...its their 2nd marriage..neither have siblings and both of their parents have passed away. They have always wanted to take a vacation to Arizona with her kids ages 13 and 14. They also have been together for 11 years so they certainly are ready to get married.
Suz1232008-05-06T05:59:30Z
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http://www.creeksideinn.net/weddings/elopements.htm This place will provide witnesses for $30 each.
I am sure if your friend looks around for elopement packages (or asks her officiant), witnesses can be found or made available with no problem. Please tell her that is not a concern.
Whoever is nearby . . . a site employee? another couple waiting to wed? . . . will be happy to act as witness(es).
I'm not 100% sure about AZ, but in San Diego, for a civil ceremony, they will provide witnesses if needed. She should check the recorder's office/county clerk in the county where she wants to get married to see if they do the same. For instance, if she wants to get married in Scottsdale: City of Scottsdale
City of Scottsdale judges are available to perform civil ceremonies on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Scottsdale City Court is located at 3700 N. 75th Street. The City of Scottsdale does not issue marriage licenses. For additional information you may call (480) 312-2772.
The photographer as a witness is a good idea. I would imagine the chapel or wherever she was getting married at could find somebody to be a witness. She wouldn't necessarily have to know them. I'm sure somebody wouldn't mind to sit in for a few minutes to witness. It will work out for them. I think the chapels keep in mind that people elope and they might even have people on standby to be witnesses, lol, but like you said maybe for a small fee but maybe they just like weddings and don't mind to watch, lol. Who knows.
There is no way around the witnesses. She just has to find some people to come with them. Laws make us compromise. My husband and I got married in MD and they no longer allow justices of the peace to come marry people. You either get married by a licensed religious leader or you have to go to the courthouse during business hours to get married. No way around it. So we went to the courthouse. It wasn't what we originally planned but it worked out very well for us.
Virginia does not require witnesses, if that might be an option for them (its not Vegas!) If its Arizona, then they are going to have to find someone to be a witness. Maybe if they stay at a B&B, the owner would be willing to do it if it is nearby and doesn't cut into their work time.