Requirements to Officiate
Marriage by State
Below is a summary of what is involved to perform
marriages in each state. We believe this to be accurate however laws
are always changing so details may change. However one law that does
not change is the first amendment. "Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof;" The state may ask you to provide proof of
ordination (certificate you receive from the New Universal Church)
or some other paper work but they can not stop you from your legal
right to perform the duties of your church.
Alabama
Any licensed minister of the gospel in regular communion with the
Christian church or society of which he is a member may perform
marriages. Also, marriages may be performed by the pastor of any
religious society according to the rules of the religious society.
--- Ministers must provide a certificate of the marriage to the
judge of probate within one month after the marriage. --- For
questions see the clerk for the judge of probate.
Alaska
The minister, priest or rabbi of any church or congregation in the
state may perform marriages. --- Ministers must provide marriage
certificates to the couple married and report the marriage to the
Marriage Commissioner.
Arizona
Any licensed or ordained clergyman may perform marriages. ---
Ministers must record the marriage on the marriage license and
return it to the clerk of the Superior Court within 20 days after
the marriage. - -- For questions see the clerk of the Superior Court
Arkansas
Any regularly ordained minister or priest of any religious sect or
denomination may perform marriages. --- Ministers must have their
ordination credentials filed by the county clerk who will then issue
a certificate to the minister. --- The marriage license must be
completed by the minister and returned to the county clerk within 60
days from the date the license was issued. --- For questions see the
county clerk.
California
Any priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination, of the
age of 18 years or over may perform marriages. --- Ministers must
complete the marriage license and return it to the county clerk
within 4 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the county
clerk.
Colorado
Marriages may be performed by any minister. --- Ministers must send
a marriage certificate to the county clerk. --- For questions see
the county clerk.
Connecticut
All ordained or licensed clergymen belonging to this state or any
other state may perform marriages as long as they continue in the
work of the ministry. -- - Marriage license must be completed by the
minister and returned to the city or town clerk. --- For questions
see the city or town clerk.
Delaware
Any ordained minister of the gospel and every minister in charge of
a recognized church may perform marriages. --- Ministers do not need
to be licensed to perform marriages but they must report their name
and address to the local registrar in the district in which they
live. --- Ministers must keep the marriage license or a copy for at
least one year. Also, the minister must, within 4 days, complete and
return forms required by the State Board of Health to the clerk of
the peace. --- For questions see the clerk of the peace.
District of Columbia
Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. --- Marriage
licenses are addressed to the minister who will perform the
ceremony. The minister must complete a marriage certificate for the
bride and for the groom and return another certificate to the clerk
of the District of Columbia Court of General Sessions within 10 days
after the marriage. --- For questions see the clerk of the Court of
General Sessions.
If a member of your "religious society" is already registered as
a minister qualified to perform weddings, you fill out an
application, get the already-registered person to sign as
"endorser", pay $35, and you're in. Application is available by
fax-back from 202-879-4840.
If your "society" does not already have a minister registered in
DC, then you have to assemble (I'm summarizing from the official
information handout):
"The following documentation has been found by many judges of
this court to be sufficient evidence of affiliation with a religious
society to support the granting of an authorization to perform
marriage ceremonies in the District of Columbia."
A certificate from the headquarters of the religious body showing
that you are a minister
A copy of the charter of the society and a copy of the
applicant's ordination
An affidavit from the applicant giving details on how long he has
been a minister, where and how often he conducts religious meetings,
the congregation size, whether or not he is a full-time minister,
etc.
An endorsement from a "reputable" citizen of DC saying that the
applicant is known as a religious minister and is a person of good
moral character.
"If any of the above documentation cannot be produced, it would
be helpful to the Court's determination to produce a written
explanation of that omission." Oh, and everything must be either
"certified or notarized".
Official Information:
For more information, you can call (202) 879-4850.
Florida
All regularly ordained ministers of the gospel in communion with
some church may perform marriages. --- Ministers must complete a
certificate of marriage on the marriage license and return it to the
office from which it was issued. --- For questions see the county
clerk.
Georgia
Any minister who is authorized by his or her church may perform
marriages. --- Ministers must complete a certificate of marriage and
return it to the ordinary within 30 days after the marriage. --- For
questions see the ordinary's clerk at the county courthouse.
Hawaii
Any minister may perform marriages if they are authorized by their
church to do so. --- Ministers must obtain a license from the
department of health before performing marriages. -Ministers must
keep a record of all marriages they perform. Ministers must report
all marriages they perform to the department of health. --- For
questions see the department of health.
Idaho
Marriages may be performed by priests or ministers of the gospel of
any denomination. --- Ministers must give a marriage certificate to
the bride and to the groom. Also, the minister must complete the
license and marriage certificate and return it to the recorder who
issued it within 30 days after the marriage. --- For questions see
the county recorder.
Illinois
Marriages may be performed by ministers of the gospel in regular
standing in the church or society to which they belong. --- The
marriage license and certificate must be completed by the minister
and returned to the county clerk within 30 days after the marriage.
--- For questions see the county clerk.
Indiana
Ministers of the gospel and priests of every church throughout the
state may perform marriages. ---Ministers must return the marriage
license and a certificate of marriage to the clerk of the circuit
court within 3 months after the marriage. ---For questions see the
clerk of the circuit court.
Iowa
Ministers of the gospel who are ordained by their church may perform
marriages. --- Minister must give a certificate of marriage to the
bride and to the groom. Also, the minister must report the marriage
to the clerk of the district court within 15 days after the
marriage. -For questions see the clerk of the district court.
Kansas
Any ordained clergyman of any religious denomination or society may
perform marriages. --Ministers are required to file credentials or
ordination with the judge of a probate court before performing
marriages. --- Minister must return the marriage license and a
certificate of marriage to the probate judge who issued the marriage
license within 10 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the
clerk of the probate court.
Kentucky
Marriages may be performed by any minister of the gospel or priests
of any denomination with any religious society. --- Ministers must
be licensed before performing marriages. See the local county clerk
for a license. --- Ministers must return the marriage license and
marriage certificate to the county clerk within 3 months after the
marriage. --- It is illegal to solicit marriages. --- For questions
see the county clerk.
Louisiana
Ministers of the gospel or priests of any denomination in regular
communion with any religious society may perform marriages. ---
Ministers must register with the clerk of the district court of the
parish or with the health department if in New Orleans. --- After
performing a marriage, the minister must complete a marriage
certificate and return it to the clerk of the district court. ---
For questions see the clerk of the district court.
Maine
"A marriage, solemnized before any known inhabitant of the State
professing to be a justice, judge, justice of the peace or notary
public, or an ordained or licensed minister of the gospel, is not
void, nor is its validity affected by any want of jurisdiction or
authority in the justice, judge, justice of the peace, notary or
minister or by any omission or informality in entering the intention
of marriage, if the marriage is in other respects lawful and
consummated with a full belief, on the part of either of the persons
married, that they are lawfully married." (Title 19A § 657)
Whether a resident or nonresident of this State and whether or
not a citizen of the United States:
An ordained minister of the gospel; A cleric engaged in the
service of the religious body to which the cleric belongs; or A
person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, religious
seminary or ecclesiastical body. (Title 19A § 655)
"Every person authorized to unite persons in marriage shall make
and keep a record of every marriage solemnized by that person in
conformity with the forms and instructions prescribed by the State
Registrar of Vital Statistics ..." (Title 19A § 654)
"A person who solemnizes a marriage when not authorized to do so
under section 655 commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture
not to exceed $100 for each offense may be adjudged. Forfeitures
collected must be distributed to the municipality in which the
offense occurred." (Title 19A § 659)
Official Information:
• Maine's State Legislature (search statutes)
If questions should arise concerning any aspect of the marriage
process or marriage laws in the State of Maine, the Department of
Human Services, Bureau of Vital Records is the state agency which
handles information for this particular area. You may contact this
office at:
Department of Human Services
Bureau of Vital Records
11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
(207) 287-3181
Maryland
In Maryland, any adult can sign as clergy, as long as the couple who
are getting married agree that he is a clergy. The celebrant doesn't
have to be a resident, register in advance, or fulfil any other
requirements.
Massachusetts
Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. --- Before
performing marriages, ministers are required to apply for a
certificate from the state. For applications write to: The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the Secretary, Supervisor,
Commissions Division, State House, Boston, Massachusetts 02133. You
must file a copy of your ordination certificate and a statement from
the church saying that you are in good standing. Please let us know
well in advance if you need a statement from us. --- Ministers must
keep records of all marriages they perform. Also, ministers must
return a certificate of the marriage to the town clerk or registrar
who issued the marriage license and to the town clerk of the town
where the marriage was performed. --- For questions see the town
clerk or registrar or write to the Secretary of State.
Michigan
A minister of the gospel who is ordained or authorized by his or her
church to perform marriages and who is a pastor of a church in this
state, or continues to preach the gospel in this state may perform
marriages. --- Ministers must complete a marriage certificate and
give one to the couple. Another marriage certificate must be
returned to the county clerk who issued the license within 10 days
after the marriage. --- For questions see the county clerk.
Minnesota
Any licensed or ordained minister of the gospel in regular communion
with a religious society may perform marriages. --- Ministers must
file a copy of their credentials of ordination with the clerk of the
district court of any county. --- Ministers must give a marriage
certificate to the bride and groom and also file a certificate with
the clerk of the district court in the county which issued the
marriage license. --- For questions see the clerk of the district
court.
Mississippi
Any ordained minister of the gospel who is in good standing with his
or her church may perform marriages. --- Ministers must send a
certificate of marriage to the clerk who issued the marriage license
within three months after the marriage. --- For questions see the
clerk of the circuit court.
Missouri
Marriages may be performed by any clergyman who is a citizen of the
United States and who is in good standing with any church or
synagogue in this state. --- Ministers must keep a record of all
marriages they perform. They must give the couple a marriage
certificate and must complete the marriage license and return it to
the recorder of deeds within 90 days after the marriage license was
issued. --- For questions see the recorder of deeds.
Montana
Ministers of the gospel of any denomination may perform marriages.
--- Ministers must complete and return a marriage certificate to the
clerk of the district court within 30 days after the marriage. Also
the minister must provide marriage certificates to the bride and
groom upon request. ---For questions see the clerk of the district
court.
Nebraska
Any ordained clergyman whatsoever, without regard to the sect to
which they belong may perform marriages. --- Ministers must report
marriages they perform to the county judge who issued the marriage
license within 15 days after the marriage. Also the minister must
provide marriage certificates to the bride and groom upon request.
--- For questions see the county clerk.
Nevada
Any ordained minister in good standing with his denomination, whose
denomination is incorporated or organized or established in the
State of Nevada may perform marriages. --- Ministers are required to
apply for a certificate of permissions to perform marriages. Among
other requirements, the applicant's ministry must be primarily one
of service to his congregation or denomination and his performance
of marriages must be incidental to such service. See Nevada Revised
Statutes (NRS) Certificates of Permission to perform marriages.
New Hampshire
Marriages may be performed by any ordained minister of the gospel
who resides in the state and is in good standing with his church.
Ministers not residing in the state may obtain permission to perform
a marriage upon application to the Secretary of State. --- Ministers
must send a copy of the marriage certificate to the town clerk.
---For questions see the town clerk.
New Jersey
In New Jersey, "[various government officials] and every minister of
every religion, are hereby authorized to solemnize marriage between
such persons as may lawfully enter into the matrimonial relation;
and every religious society, institution or organization in this
State may join together in marriage such persons according to the
rules and customs of the society, institution or organization." It
is a misdemeanor for someone not so authorized to "solemnize" a
marriage and it is a misdemeanor for someone who is authorized to
perform a marriage without the presentation of a license. (Title
37:1-13,15)
As in most states, the prospective bride and groom give the
marriage license directly to the minister: "Before a marriage can be
lawfully performed in this state, the persons intending to be
married shall obtain a marriage license from the licensing officer
and deliver it to the person who is to officiate, but if the
marriage is to be performed by or before any religious society,
institution or organization, the license shall be delivered to such
religious society, institution or organization, or any officer
thereof." (Title 37:1-2)
A clergyman is also permitted to do "work of a psychological
nature consistent with the accepted standards of their respective
professions" and "work of a marriage and family therapy nature, ...
, when acting within the scope of the person's profession or
occupation and doing work consistent with the person's training".
(Title 45:14B-8, 8B-8)
New Mexico
Any ordained clergyman whatsoever, without regard to the sect to
which he or she may belong may perform marriages. --- Ministers must
provide the county clerk with a marriage certificate within 90 days
after the marriage. --- For questions see the county clerk.
New York
Important Note: The City of New York has significantly different
laws and procedures from the rest of the state. See "New York City"
below.
Ministers must complete a marriage certificate and return it to
the town or city clerk who issued the marriage license within 5 days
after the marriage. --- For questions see the town or city clerk.
To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be performed by any of the
individuals specified in Section 11 of the New York State Domestic
Relations Law. These include:
Various government officials;
a member of the clergy or minister who has been officially
ordained and granted authority to perform marriage ceremonies
from a governing church body in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the church body;
a member of the clergy or minister who is not authorized by a
governing Church body but who has been chosen by a spiritual
group to preside over their spiritual affairs;
other officiants as specified by Section 11 of the Domestic
Relations Law.
The person performing the ceremony must be registered with
the City of New York in order to perform a ceremony within the
New York City limits. The officiant does not have to be a
resident of New York State.
Ship captains are not authorized to perform marriage
ceremonies in New York State.
New York City
In a nutshell: If the address on your Drivers License is within
NYC limits, you will need three things to be able to perform
marriages within NYC, instead of only one. They are:
• Ordination Certificate
• Founding Document
• and a Letter signed by one member of your Congregation.
Before performing marriages in New York City, the minister must
register his or her name and address in the office of the city clerk
of the city of New York and show some documentation.
The Official NYC handbook on the Domestic Relations Law, p. 89.,
À/Í À/ÍC11:2 (subdivision 1) permits a clergyman or minister of any
religion to solemnize marriages. "Clergyman or minister" includes a
duly authorized pastor, rector, priest, or rabbi. It also includes
any other person having authority from, or in accordance with, the
rules and regulations of the governing ecclesiastical body of the
denomination or order, if any, to which the church belongs. Persons
who otherwise have authority from the church or synagogue to preside
over and direct the spiritual affairs of the church or synagogue are
likewise included. DRL § 11 (subd. 7): Religious Corporations Law§
2. The statute explicitly recognizes the solemnization authority of
certain leaders of Ethical Culture Societies. DRL§ 11 (subd 1)
While the state may act to prevent marriages being solemnized by
mere philanderers purporting to officiate under the guise of a
pseudo-religious faith, it may not interdict marriage ceremonies
having a reverent character performed by a person having
ecclesiastical sanction. O'Neal v. Hubbard, 180 Misc. 40 N.Y.S.2d
202 (Sup.Ct. Kings County 1943) (holding unconstitutional statutory
provision limiting solemnization to ministers affiliated with
religions listed in a federal census of religious bodies).
To have authority to solemnize marriages, there is no requirement
that the church, synagogue, or other religious congregation over
which the clergyman presides be affiliated with any denomination or
order. Nor is there any requirement that clergy have received formal
sanctioning authority from a governing board of a denomination or
order or from the church, synagogue, or congregation itself. Matter
of Silverstein's Estate, 190 Misc. 745, 75 N.Y.S.2d 144 (Surr.Ct.Bronx
County 1947). This, where the proof showed that the clergyman who
performed the marriage ceremony had regularly conducted services in
a synagogue attended by some twenty-five congregants, the court
found that there was sufficient evidence that the clergyman was
recognized by his congregants as their spiritual leader. In re
Silverstein's Estate, supra.
The liberality in construction is stretched to the breaking point
where the officiating clergyman appears to be a mere philanderer
professing a pseudo-religious faith. In Ravenal v. Ravenal, 72
Misc.2d 100, 338 N.Y.S.2d 324 (Sup.Ct.N.Y.County 1972), at issue was
the validity of a marriage purportedly solemnized by a person who
obtained his minister's credentials by mail, who did not preside
over an actual church or religious organization, whose beliefs did
not provide for any form of worship or religious service, and whose
accrediting organization professed a willingness to ordain anyone
for a modest free will offering. The court concluded that, under
these circumstances, the person who performed the ceremony could not
be properly viewed, even with the benefit of a liberal construction,
as a clergyman or minister of a religion. The Ravenal case
represents an extreme situation where the person who purported to
solemnize the marriage lacked, at least to the court's mind, any of
the objective manifestations of attributes generally associated with
ministers or clergy. The court appears to have been convinced that
the solemnizing officer was a charlatan, claiming ecclesiastical
authority by virtue of a mail order ordination granted by a
corporate entity that would ordain all comers. Where the parties to
the marriage and the person who solemnized the marriage belong to,
or ascribe to, a genuine religious faith, then the authority of the
officiating person must be recognized.
The question of genuineness of religious faith is tested by
objective criteria such as the regularity of worship and the
existence of tenets or principles. The subjective values of the
particular religion or faith are irrelevant, no matter how
unconventional or no matter how unschooled in theology the clergyman
appears to be.
Marriages among people of denominations who have a particular
mode or manner of solemnizing marriages may be solemnized in the
manner used and practice by their denomination. DRL§ 2.
Now I quote from another mystery document that appears to be the
regulations or statutes controlling the City Clerk. (It might be
Title 51--City Clerk.) I think that this is page "15293 RCNY
6-30-91"
§ 3-06 Marriage Officiant Registration. Pursuant to § 11-B of the
Domestic Relations Law, the Office of the City Clerk will accept the
registration of officiants to perform wedding ceremonies within the
city of New York upon presentation of documentary proof of authority
as outlined below.
(a) In the case of clergy, the person wishing to register
(hereafter "the registrant") must comply with one of the following:
(1) In cases where the denomination publishes a directory of its
clergy, the registrant may show that he or she is listed in that
directory. If the registrant's name does not yet appear in the
denominational directory, the registrant claiming membership in that
denomination may instead present written confirmation for that
membership from the body that puts out the directory. Such
confirmation can also consist of a certificate or letter showing
that the registrant graduated from the seminary or theological
school pertaining to the denomination.
(2) In cases where the denomination does not have such a
directory, the registrant must show several pieces of documentary
proof of authority. First, the registrant must present an ordination
certificate accompanied, if necessary, by an English translation
thereof. Ordination certificates issued by the Universal Life
Church or its affiliates are not acceptable as evidence of
clerical authority based on Ranieri v. Ranieri, New York Law
Journal, March 27, 1989. Ravenal v. Ravenal, 72 Misc.2d 100, 338
N.Y.S.2d 324 (Sup.Ct.N.Y.County 1972). In lieu of an ordination
certificate, the registrant must present a "license to minister" or
a letter of appointment from his or her religious body, i.e. from
its hierarch or its board of trustees. Second, the registrant must
present a letter from his or her local congregation verifying that
he or she is the pastor or associate pastor of that congregation,
and that the congregation therefore consents to the registering of
that individual. Lastly, if the church is incorporated, the
registrant must present a copy of the articles of incorporation. If
the church is not incorporated, the registrant must submit a
statement as to the location of the house of worship, the reason for
its founding, the number of trustees, the approximate size of its
congregation, and how often it meets.
(3) In cases where the registrant belongs to a denomination that
does not have a directory and does not grant certificates of
ordination or licenses to minister, the registrant must present a
letter stating that he or she is the recognized spiritual leader of
a congregation, and that the congregation therefore consents to the
registering of that individual. The registrant must also submit a
statement as to the location of the house of worship, the reason for
its founding, the number of trustees, the approximate size of its
congregation, and how often it meets.
(b) In the case of judges [...]
Official Information:
City Clerk's Office, Clergy Registration desk
Audrey Sparks, +1-212-669-8095.
City Clerk's Office, General Counsel
Ed O'Malley, +1-212-669-8171
North Carolina
Any ordained minister of any faith who is authorized to perform
marriages by his church may do so. --- ministers must complete the
marriage license and return it to the register of deeds who issued
it. --- For questions see the register of deeds.
North Dakota
Ordained ministers of the gospel and priests of every church may
perform marriages. --- Ministers must file a certificate of marriage
with the county judge who issued the license within 5 days after the
marriage. Certificates must also be given to the persons married.
--- For questions see the county clerk.
Ohio
To have legally recognized clergy status in Ohio, one must have
ordination papers from a church recognized in Ohio.
Contact the Ohio Secretary of State at 30 E. Broad St., 14th
Floor; Columbus, OH 43266-0418. Request the application for a
minister's license. When you receive it, send the completed form, a
photocopy of your ordination certificate, and a $10 check or money
order to the above address. This will take 2-3 weeks.
By Ohio Law, licensed clergy must report suspected child or elder
abuse to authorities, as well as follow State laws when marrying
couples. A summary of the laws is provided at licensure. This
license makes chaplaincy status at hospitals, etc. easier to obtain.
Any ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or
congregation within this state may perform marriages. --- Before
performing a marriage, ministers must present their ordination
credentials to the probate judge of any county. The judge will
provide the minister with a license to perform marriages. The
minister must then present his license to the probate judge in any
county in which he performs a marriage. ---Ministers must send a
certificate of marriage to the probate judge of the county which
issued the marriage license within 30 days after the marriage. ---
For questions see the clerk of the probate court.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma statutes provide for clergy who are not licensed therapists
to give certain kinds of counseling. Clergymen may also visit
prisoners. The law also provides a right to confidential
communications with a clergyman acting in his professional capacity.
In this state, the confidentiality belongs the communicant, not in
the clergyman.
Weddings
Constitution of Oklahoma: Article I § 2. Religious Liberty --
Polygamous or plural marriages. Perfect toleration of religious
sentiment shall be secured, and no inhabitant of the State shall
ever be molested in person or property on account of his or her mode
of religious worship; and no religious test shall be required for
the exercise of civil or political rights. Polygamous or plural
marriages are forever prohibited.
Title 43 § 7 Solemnization of marriages. A. All marriages must be
contracted by a formal ceremony performed or solemnized in the
presence of at least two adult, competent persons as witnesses, by a
judge or retired judge of any court of record in this state, or an
ordained or authorized preacher or minister of the Gospel, priest or
other ecclesiastical dignitary of any denomination who has been duly
ordained or authorized by the church to which he belongs to preach
the Gospel, or a rabbi and who is at least eighteen (18) years of
age. The preacher, minister, priest, rabbi or ecclesiastical
dignitary who is a resident of this state shall have filed, in the
office of the court clerk of the county in which he resides, a copy
of his credentials or authority from his church or synagogue
authorizing him to solemnize marriages. The preacher, minister,
priest, rabbi or ecclesiastical dignitary who is not a resident of
this state, but has complied with the laws of the state of which he
is a resident, shall have filed once, in the office of the court
clerk of the county in which he intends to perform or solemnize a
marriage, a copy of his credentials or authority from his church or
synagogue authorizing him to solemnize marriages. Such filing by
resident or nonresident preachers, ministers, priests, rabbis or
ecclesiastical dignitaries shall be effective in and for all
counties of this state; provided, that no fee shall be charged for
such recording; but no person herein authorized to perform or
solemnize the marriage ceremony shall do so unless the license
issued therefor be first delivered into his possession nor unless he
has good reason to believe the persons presenting themselves before
him for marriage are the identical persons named in the license, and
for whose marriage the name was issued, and that there is no legal
objection or impediment to such marriage.
B. Marriages between persons belonging to the society called
Friends, or Quakers, the spiritual assembly of the Baha'Is, or The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which have no ordained
minister, may be solemnized by the persons and in the manner
prescribed by and practiced in any such society, church or assembly.
Title 43 § 8 Endorsement and return of license. The person
performing or solemnizing the marriage ceremony shall immediately
upon the completion thereof endorse upon the license authorizing the
marriage his name; official or clerical designation; the court of
which he is judge or the congregation or body of which he is pastor,
preacher, minister, priest, rabbi or dignitary, provided, that the
authority to perform or solemnize marriages shall be coextensive
with the congregation or body of which he is pastor, preacher,
minister, priest, rabbi or dignitary; the town or city and county
where the same is located; and signed by him with his official or
clerical designation. The witnesses to the ceremony shall endorse
the license authorizing the marriage with their names and post
office addresses. The license with such certificate thereon shall be
transmitted without delay to the judge or the court clerk who issued
the same. Provided that all marriages solemnized among the society
called Friends, or Quakers, the spiritual assembly of the Baha'Is,
or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in the form
heretofore practiced and in use in their meetings shall be good and
valid. One person chosen by such society, church or assembly shall
be responsible for completing the certification of marriage pursuant
to this title in the same manner as a minister or other person
authorized to perform marriages. Such person shall be chosen by the
society, church or assembly for this purpose.
Official Information:
Oklahoma Public Legal Research System
Oregon
Ministers of any church organized, carrying on its work, and having
congregations in this state may perform marriages in this state if
authorized by their church to do so. --- Before performing
marriages, ministers must file their credentials with the county
clerk of the county in which they reside or in which the marriage is
to be performed. --- Ministers must give the bride and groom a
marriage certificate upon request. Also, the minister must send a
marriage certificate to the county clerk who issued the marriage
license within one month after the marriage. --- For questions see
the county clerk.
Pennsylvania
Ministers of any regularly established church or congregation may
perform marriages. Also, persons may marry themselves if they obtain
a certificate from the clerk of the orphans' court. --- Ministers
must provide a certificate of marriage to the bride and groom. Also,
they must send a marriage certificate to the clerk of the orphans'
court who issued the marriage license within 10 days after the
marriage. --- For questions see the clerk of the orphans' court.
Rhode Island
Everyone who has been, or is, the minister of any society professing
to meet for religious purposes, or incorporated for the promotion of
such purposes, and holding stated and regular services, and who has
been ordained according to the customs and usage's of such society
may perform marriages. --- Ministers must obtain a license from the
city or town clerk before performing marriages. --- Ministers must
endorse and return the marriage license to the town or city clerk in
which the marriage was performed. --- For questions see the town or
city clerk.
South Carolina
Ministers of the gospel who are authorized to administer oaths in
this state may perform marriages. --- Ministers must complete the
marriage license and give one copy to the parties and the other two
must be returned to the county judge of probate who issued it within
15 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the county judge
of probate or his clerk.
South Dakota
Marriages may be performed by a minister of the gospel, or priest of
any denomination. --- Ministers must provide the bride and groom
with marriage certificates upon request. Ministers must also keep a
record book of all marriages they perform. Finally, the minister
must send a marriage certificate to the clerk who issued the
marriage license within 30 days after the marriage. --- For
questions see the clerk of courts.
Tennessee
(a) (1) All regular ministers, preachers, pastors, priests, rabbis
and other spiritual leaders of every religious belief, more than
eighteen (18) years of age, having the care of souls, and all
members of the county legislative bodies, county mayors, judges,
chancellors, former chancellors and former judges of this state,
former county executives or county mayors of this state, former
members of quarterly county courts or county commissions who were
members of such bodies on or before August 1, 1984, the governor,
the speaker of the senate and former speakers of the senate, the
speaker of the house of representatives and former speakers of the
house of representatives, the county clerk of each county and the
mayor of any municipality in the state may solemnize the rite of
matrimony. For the purposes of this section, the several judges of
the United States courts, including United States magistrates and
United States bankruptcy judges, who are citizens of Tennessee are
deemed to be judges of this state. The amendments to this section by
Acts 1987, ch. 336 which applied provisions of this section to
certain former judges do not apply to any judge who has been
convicted of a felony or who has been removed from office.
(2) In order to solemnize the rite of matrimony, any such
minister, preacher, pastor, priest, rabbi or other spiritual leader
must be ordained or otherwise designated in conformity with the
customs of a church, temple or other religious group or
organization; and such customs must provide for such ordination or
designation by a considered, deliberate, and responsible act.
Here's the complete Tennessee code:
http://www.state.tn.us/tccy/tnchild/36/36-3-301.htm
Texas
Ordained Christian ministers and priests; Jewish rabbis and persons
who are officers of religious organizations and who are duly
authorized by the organization to conduct marriage ceremonies may
perform marriages. --- Ministers must complete the marriage license
and return it to the county clerk who issued it within 30 days after
the marriage. --- For questions see the county clerk.
Utah
Ministers of the gospel or priests of any denomination who are in
regular communion with any religious society may perform marriages.
---Ministers must provide a certificate of marriage to the county
clerk who issued the marriage license within 30 days after the
marriage. --- For questions see the county clerk.
Vermont
Ordained ministers residing in this state may perform marriages.
Non-resident ordained ministers may perform marriages with the
permission of the probate court of the district within which the
marriage is to take place. --- Ministers must complete the marriage
license and certificate of marriage and return it to the clerk's
office from which it was issued within ten days from the date of the
marriage. --- For questions see the town clerk.
Virginia
The procedure in Virginia is less well defined. According to the
official in Arlington County, you bring (in person) your
"certificate of ordination", a photo ID, and $16 the Clerk's office
of any Circuit Court. Then the clerk will ask you "some questions"
about things like whether or not you have a congregation in
Virginia, how many members, and whether your group is recognized as
a religious group by the IRS. Then either the clerk will register
you or buck the problem up to a judge. Nonresidents are eligible.
VA-resident non-clergy can sign up for a one-time permit to
celebrate a wedding. Apply in person at the Clerk's office of any
Circuit Court.
Virgin Islands
Clergymen or ministers of any religion, whether they reside in the
Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the United States may perform
marriages. ---Ministers must complete the marriage license and
return it to the clerk of the municipal court which issued the
license within 10 days after the marriage is performed. --- For
questions see the clerk of the municipal court.
Washington
Regularly licensed or ordained ministers or any priest of any church
or religious denomination anywhere within the state may perform
marriages.--- Ministers must send two certificates of marriage to
the county auditor within 30 days after the marriage. --- For
questions see the county auditor.
West Virginia
New Law Passed in 2002!
The West Virginia Legislature adopted S. B. 59, establishing new
provisions for the registration of religious representatives to be
authorized to perform marriages in any county in West Virginia.
The provisions replace previous requirements for registration with
the county clerk, however approval of the bond or exemption from the
bonding requirement was left with the county commission.
Requirements for Registration
1. Proof of Age The registrant must be 18 years of age or older,
and may show proof using a birth certificate, driver license,
passport or military ID.
2. Proof of Authority The registrant must be: duly authorized to
perform marriages by his or her church, synagogue, spiritual
assembly or religious organization; and in regular communion with
that group of which he or she is a member.
3. Bond The bonding requirement is waived if the registrant gives
proof before the county commission of his or her ordination or
similar formal authorization by the religious organization.
A bond of $1,500 with surety approved by the county commission,
is required if the formal ordination or similar authorization is not
provided. A letter from the members of a single congregation
unaffiliated with a recognized religious body is not considered
proof sufficient to be exempt from the bonding requirement.
Registry The Secretary of State will establish a registry of all
persons authorized to perform marriages.
The law requires county clerks in the 55 counties to forward to
the Secretary of State by October 1, 2001, the name of every person
authorized since 1960 to perform marriages for inclusion in the
registry. The Secretary of State must then forward the completed
registry and periodic updates back to the county clerks.
Wisconsin
Any ordained clergyman of any religious denomination or society may
perform marriages. --
-Before performing marriages, ministers must file their
credentials of ordination with the clerk of the circuit court in the
county in which their church is located. The clerk will give the
minister a certificate. --- Ministers must complete the marriage
certificates and give one to the bride and one to the groom. The
original must be returned to the register of deed's of the county in
which the marriage was performed or if performed in a city, to the
city health officer. This must be done within 3 days after the
marriage. --- For questions see the clerk of the circuit court.
Wyoming
Every licensed or ordained minister of the gospel may perform
marriages. --- Ministers must give a marriage certificate to the
bride and groom upon request and must return a certificate to the
county clerk. -- - For questions see the county clerk.