Junior Rasmussen
In Pennsylvania, couples are increasingly opting to have a close friend or family member officiate their wedding. This is a simple process and can be done through the American Marriage Ministries. There is an online application where one needs to fill out some basic information. While there is no requirement for officiants to register with any government office, they must be ordained ministers to be able to perform marriages legally. Local regulations in Pennsylvania stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of Minister be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries. Pennsylvania recognizes religious, spiritual, secular, and civil officiants, as long as the individual has been given officiant status by a larger institution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can a family member officiate a wedding in Pennsylvania? | Yes |
| Requirements for the family member | Must be at least 18 years old, and meet all legal requirements and follow proper procedures to ensure the marriage is valid. |
| Requirements for the couple | Must obtain a self-uniting marriage license from the Department of Court Records. |
| After the wedding | The couple must file the paperwork within 10 days of the ceremony. |
What You'll Learn
Self-uniting marriage licenses
In Pennsylvania, couples can choose to have a friend or family member officiate their wedding. This is a great way to make the celebration extremely personal and special. If you are planning to have a family member officiate your wedding in Pennsylvania, here is some information on self-uniting marriage licenses that you should know.
Firstly, it is important to note that Pennsylvania law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office. This means that your family member does not need to get ordained online or register with the state government. However, it is always a good idea for them to keep personal records of their official ministry credentials in case the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue request proof of their ordination.
To have a family member officiate your wedding in Pennsylvania, you will need to obtain a self-uniting marriage license. This type of license is specifically for couples who want someone who is not recognised by the state as a religious or state official to perform their wedding ceremony. When applying for your marriage license at the Department of Court Records, be sure to request a self-uniting marriage license. It may cost more than a traditional license in some counties, but it is legally binding and valid in all Pennsylvania counties.
The main difference between a self-uniting marriage license and a traditional license is that instead of having a spot for the officiant to sign, there are lines for two witnesses. These witnesses can be anyone, as long as they are adults. After the wedding, it is the couple's responsibility to file the paperwork within 10 days of the ceremony. This can usually be done by mailing the completed license to the office in which it was obtained.
It is also important to note that a marriage record does not exist until the paperwork is filed, and technically, the couple is not legally married until this happens. Therefore, it is crucial to not let this step fall through the cracks, especially if you are heading on your honeymoon right after the wedding. Additionally, if there is ever a question about the validity of your marriage, the burden of proof will fall on the couple. It is recommended to request a triple-seal copy of the marriage record after the wedding to prove the legality of the marriage if needed.
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No registration required for officiants
In Pennsylvania, a family member can officiate a wedding without registering with any government office. While there is a law that specifies who can solemnize a marriage, including all online-ordained ministers of the American Marriage Ministries, there are no laws or procedures requiring officiants to register with the government.
To officiate a wedding in Pennsylvania, an individual must be ordained by a religious organization, such as the American Marriage Ministries or Universal Life Church. This process can be completed online, for free, and only requires some basic information. However, it is important to note that Pennsylvania does not recognize online ordination licenses or officiant licenses. Therefore, it is recommended to check with the county clerk's office where the wedding will take place to verify any additional requirements.
Additionally, the officiant must be at least 18 years old and should keep personal records of their official ministry credentials. Proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. The officiant will also need to complete and return the marriage license to the correct office within 10 days of the wedding.
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Officiants must be ordained ministers
In Pennsylvania, a family member can officiate a wedding as long as they meet the legal requirements to be an officiant. The state of Pennsylvania does not require officiants to register with any government office. However, officiants must be ordained ministers to be able to legally perform marriages. Local regulations in Pennsylvania stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" be ordained by a religious organization, such as the American Marriage Ministries or Universal Life Church.
While registration is not necessary, it is advisable to keep personal records of official Ministry Credentials. Proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. An ordination package can be purchased, which includes an Ordination Certificate and Letter of Good Standing. The Letter of Good Standing is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarized.
The process of getting ordained is simple and can be done online for free through organizations like the American Marriage Ministries and The Provenance Center. To get started, an individual must fill out an application with basic information. Once ordained, it is important to check local requirements by contacting the county clerk's office where the wedding will take place. Some counties may have specific regulations, and certain documentation may be required.
In addition to being an ordained minister, officiants in Pennsylvania must be at least 18 years old. There is no requirement for officiants to be residents of Pennsylvania.
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Officiants must be leaders of an active place of worship
In Pennsylvania, ministers, priests, or rabbis of any regularly established church or congregation can officiate weddings. This means that a family member can officiate a wedding as long as they are a leader of an active place of worship.
To be able to legally perform a marriage in Pennsylvania, wedding officiants must be ordained by a religious organization. This can be done through online ordination by organizations like the American Marriage Ministries or The Provenance Center. These organizations provide the necessary credentials to legally officiate weddings. It is important to note that while online ordination is recognized in Pennsylvania, some counties may have specific regulations.
In addition to being ordained, wedding officiants in Pennsylvania must be at least 18 years old. They are also required to present their ordination credentials and other identification documents, such as a copy of their ordination certificate, a letter of good standing from the ordaining organization, and personal identification.
It is also recommended to check with the local county clerk's office where the wedding will take place to verify any additional requirements and ensure compliance with all necessary regulations.
By following these steps, a family member who is a leader of an active place of worship can legally officiate a wedding in Pennsylvania, adding a personal and authentic touch to the special day.
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Officiants must be 18 or older
In Pennsylvania, a family member can officiate a wedding as long as they meet the legal requirements. The state has no laws requiring officiant registration or an office dedicated to officiant registration. However, officiants must be at least 18 years old.
While it is not necessary for your family member to get ordained online to officiate your wedding, they certainly can if they want to. If they prefer not to, you can simply obtain a self-uniting marriage license from the Department of Court Records when applying for a marriage license. This type of license is legally binding and valid in all Pennsylvania counties. The only difference is that instead of having a spot for the officiant to sign, there are lines for two witnesses to sign.
After the wedding, remember to file the paperwork within 10 days of the ceremony. The burden of proof of the wedding's validity will fall on you if there are ever any questions about it. To avoid any issues, request a triple-seal copy of the marriage record.
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Frequently asked questions
No, they do not need to get ordained online. However, they can become ordained if they want to, but it is not necessary for them to preside over your ceremony.
You need to obtain a self-uniting marriage license from the Department of Court Records. This type of license may cost more than a traditional license, but it is legally binding and valid in all Pennsylvania counties. It requires signatures from two witnesses instead of an officiant.
Within 10 days of the ceremony, you must file the license with the office from which it was obtained. A marriage record does not exist until this happens, so it is important to not let it fall through the cracks. Typically, the officiant would handle this, but if a family member is officiating, the responsibility falls on the couple.
If there are ever any questions about the validity of your marriage, the burden of proof will fall on you. While it is unlikely to happen, you will be responsible for proving that the wedding took place. To do this, request a triple-seal copy of the marriage record after the wedding. This will allow you to prove the legality of your marriage if needed.
