Who Can Officiate A Wedding In California: Family Members?

If you're getting married in California, you may be considering having a family member officiate your wedding. The good news is that this is possible! California law allows for a variety of individuals to officiate weddings, including religious figures, government officials, and even family members or friends. Here's what you need to know about having a family member officiate your wedding in California.

There are a few ways for a family member to become qualified to officiate a wedding in California. One option is for them to get ordained online through a religious organization. Many interfaith and non-denominational groups offer online ordination, often for free. This will allow them to officiate weddings not just in California but in many other states as well. It is important to note, however, that a few states do not recognize marriages performed by ministers ordained online, so it is crucial to verify that your chosen officiant's online ordination is accepted in the county where the wedding will take place.

Another option is to take advantage of California's deputy for a day program, which allows individuals to be deputized to perform a civil wedding for one specific couple on a particular day. This option is available through the county clerk's office and typically requires a small fee. The exact requirements and fees may vary by county, so it is important to contact the appropriate office for specific information.

Once your family member is qualified to officiate, there are a few legal requirements to keep in mind for the wedding ceremony. First, the ceremony must include a declaration of intent, where the officiant asks the couple if they take each other as spouses, and the couple responds with I do. Additionally, the marriage license must be signed by the couple, the officiant, and at least one adult witness, and returned to the issuing county within a specified timeframe, typically around 10 days.

Family members can be ordained online to officiate weddings in California

Online Ordination

In California, any "authorized person of any religious denomination" may officiate a wedding. This includes individuals who have received online ordination from religious groups. While some states do not recognize marriages officiated by ministers ordained online, California does. This means that your family member can get ordained online and then officiate your wedding, as long as the marriage license is filled out correctly and returned to the issuing county within ten days after the ceremony.

Choosing an Online Church

When choosing an online church, consider your criteria. For example, you may want to choose a church that is free or low-cost, and that does not require the person being ordained to ascribe to specific religious beliefs.

County Clerk Requirements

While California does not require officiants to register with any government office, it is a good idea to keep your ordination credentials readily available. County clerks may request proof of ordination for filing a marriage certificate, and couples may also wish to verify your status.

Legal Duties of the Officiant

In addition to returning the marriage license to the issuing county within ten days of the wedding ceremony, the officiant must ensure that the license is filled out correctly. This includes signing and printing or typing the following information on the marriage license:

• The fact, date, month, day, year, and place of solemnization
• The printed names, signatures, and mailing addresses of at least one, and no more than two, witnesses to the ceremony
• The official position of the person solemnizing the marriage, or of the denomination of which that person is a priest, minister, rabbi, or other authorized person of any religious denomination
• The name, printed name, and mailing address of the officiant

The family member must be at least 18 years old

If you want a family member to officiate your wedding in California, they must be at least 18 years old. This is a requirement for officiating a wedding in California, and it applies to both in-person and online ordinations.

In California, there are two main ways to officiate a wedding: through religious or civil means. For religious weddings, your family member must be ordained by a religious denomination. They can become ordained through a seminary or online. For civil weddings, your family member can become a temporary Civil Celebrant through the county clerk's office. This license will only be valid for one wedding.

In addition to being 18 or older, your family member must also be fluent in English and take an oath swearing to support and defend the US Constitution and the Constitution of California. They will also need to present valid photo identification.

It's important to note that while California does not require ministers to register with the local government, it is recommended that your family member keeps a copy of their minister license in case the county clerk needs to verify their status later.

By ensuring your family member meets these requirements, you can be confident that they can legally officiate your wedding in California.

The family member does not need to register with the government

In California, a family member does not need to register with the government to officiate a wedding. California Law does not require wedding officiants to register with any government office. However, the family member must be ordained by a religious organisation to be able to legally perform the marriage.

In California, various individuals are authorised to officiate weddings. This includes clergy from any religious denomination, judges, magistrates, Members of Congress, state officials, and local elected officials.

If your family member is not a part of any of the aforementioned groups, they can still officiate your wedding by getting ordained online. Most states, including California, recognise officiants ordained online by religious groups. Many interfaith and nondenominational organisations, such as the Universal Life Church or American Fellowship Church, offer online ordination services, often with minimal paperwork. While some require a fee, others may offer ordination for free.

However, it is important to note that a few states do not recognise marriages officiated by ministers ordained online. Therefore, it is crucial to check with the county clerk where the wedding will be held to ensure that online certification is accepted in that jurisdiction.

Additionally, while not required, it is recommended that your family member keeps personal records of their official ministry credentials. Proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

The family member must be fluent in English

If a family member is officiating a wedding in California, they must be fluent in English. This is a requirement for the "deputy for a day" program, which allows any adult to officiate a civil wedding for one specific couple on a particular day. The family member must be able to take an oath in English, swearing to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California.

In addition to the "deputy for a day" program, there are other ways for a family member to officiate a wedding in California. They can become ordained through a religious organization, either online or through a more traditional process involving seminary school. They can also become a civil celebrant, which is similar to the "deputy for a day" program but is valid for only one wedding.

The family member must be able to swear to defend the US and California constitutions

In California, a family member can be deputized for a day to officiate a wedding. This process involves taking an oath of office, swearing or affirming to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California. This requirement is outlined in the state's Family Code Section 401(b), which allows the Commissioner of Civil Marriages in the County to appoint deputy marriage commissioners.

The person being deputized must be at least 18 years old, fluent in English, and must appear in person at the Office of the County Clerk with valid legal photo identification. The fee for this service is $120, and it is offered on a walk-in basis during specific time slots.

It is important to note that religious wording and references are not allowed during the ceremony when using this deputization option. Additionally, the Office of the County Clerk has the right to refuse deputization if the person fails to meet the requirements or is unable to complete the necessary paperwork correctly.

This option is available in San Francisco County, and other counties in California may have similar programs with varying requirements and fees. It is always a good idea to check with the specific county clerk's office for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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