Who Can Officiate A Wedding In Massachusetts?

If you're looking to have a friend officiate your wedding in Massachusetts, you're in luck! A friend can legally marry you in the state, and the process is relatively simple.

According to Massachusetts law, anyone can apply for a one-day designation to officiate a wedding. This means that your friend can perform the ceremony and make your wedding official. The process involves filling out an application online or by mail, and there is no residency requirement.

It's important to note that your friend will have two main duties on the wedding day: conducting the ceremony and completing the marriage license. They will need to familiarise themselves with the process of handling the marriage license, which involves asking the couple to present it, confirming its validity, completing and signing it, and returning it to the relevant authority.

So, if you want a friend to officiate your wedding in Massachusetts, they can absolutely do so! Just make sure they take care of the necessary paperwork and are prepared for their duties on the big day.

Friends can officiate weddings in Massachusetts by obtaining a one-day officiant license

If you want a friend to officiate your wedding in Massachusetts, they can do so by obtaining a one-day officiant license. This is a special procedure that allows a friend or family member who is not a member of the clergy to solemnize a marriage. The process is simple and can be done through the Governor's office.

According to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 207, S. 39, the Governor can designate non-clergy individuals to solemnize a marriage. This means that your friend can legally perform your wedding ceremony and make your special day more personal and meaningful.

To obtain the one-day officiant license, your friend will need to apply through the Public Records Division in the Secretary of State's Office. They can call the office at 617-727-2836 for more information. It's important to note that there may be a cutoff date for applications, so your friend should apply well in advance of your wedding date.

Once your friend has obtained the one-day officiant license, they will have the legal responsibility to fill out and sign the marriage license in the presence of the couple and any required witnesses. They will also need to return the completed marriage license to the City or Town Clerk before the expiration date, which is typically 60 days from the issuance date.

By following these steps, your friend can legally officiate your wedding in Massachusetts, making your day even more special and memorable.

There is no residency requirement for the one-day designation

If you're planning your dream wedding in Massachusetts, you can choose from a variety of people to officiate your wedding. One option is to have a friend or family member officiate your wedding by applying for a one-day designation. This procedure allows someone who is not a member of the clergy or a Justice of the Peace to solemnize a marriage. There is no residency requirement for the one-day designation, meaning your friend or family member can be from out of state.

To apply for the one-day designation, your friend or family member must fill out an application online or by mail. The application should be submitted between 6 months to 1 week before your wedding date. It's important to note that there may be a random cutoff date for applications, so it's best to apply as early as possible.

Once your chosen officiant has received the one-day designation, they will have the legal authority to perform your wedding ceremony in Massachusetts. They will also need to handle the marriage license on the wedding day, which involves asking the couple to present the license, confirming its validity, completing and signing it, and returning it to the City or Town Clerk.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your friend or family member is able to legally officiate your wedding in Massachusetts, making your special day even more personal and memorable.

The application must be submitted between six months and one week before the wedding

If you want a friend or family member to officiate your wedding in Massachusetts, they can apply for a one-day designation. This procedure is based on Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 207, S. 39, which states that the Governor can designate non-clergy individuals to solemnize a marriage.

The application for this designation must be submitted between six months and one week before the wedding. There is no residency requirement for one-day designations. Your friend or family member will need to fill out an application online or by mail within this time frame to be able to officiate your wedding.

It is important to note that this designation is not meant for members of the clergy or Justices of the Peace, whether they reside in Massachusetts or another state. The only exception is for clergy residing outside of the United States.

Make sure to plan ahead and submit the application within the required time frame to ensure that your friend or family member can legally officiate your wedding in Massachusetts.

The friend must also handle and complete the marriage license

If your friend is officiating your wedding in Massachusetts, they must be able to prove that they are eligible to solemnize a marriage. They can do this by obtaining a one-day marriage designation, which allows them to legally perform the ceremony. This can be done by applying for a license online or by mail, from six months to one week before the wedding date. There is no residency requirement for one-day designations.

Handling the Marriage License

As the wedding officiant, your friend will be responsible for handling the marriage license on the wedding day. Here are the steps they should follow:

Ask the Couple to Present the Marriage License

It is a good idea to ask the couple for their marriage license before the wedding to ensure that they do not forget to bring it on the day. Remind them to bring it to the ceremony the day before the wedding.

Confirm that the Marriage License is Valid

Before signing the license, your friend should confirm that it is still valid. In Massachusetts, there is a three-day waiting period after applying for a marriage license, and the license is valid for 60 days. Therefore, your friend should confirm that it has not been more than 60 days since the couple applied for their license.

Complete and Sign the Marriage License

Your friend, as the officiant, is legally responsible for completing and signing the marriage license. In Massachusetts, no witnesses are required to sign the marriage license. However, if your friend has not filled out a marriage license before, they may be unsure about how to fill out certain fields. They can refer to resources provided by the state or county for guidance on how to complete the license accurately.

Return the Marriage License to the City or Town Clerk

After the marriage license is completed, it must be returned to the City or Town Clerk. In some states, this is the responsibility of the officiant, while in others, it is the couple's responsibility. Specific instructions on how and when to return the license should be included with the license when it is issued to the couple. It is important to return the completed license before its expiration date to ensure the marriage is legally recognized.

The friend's title will be 'minister', the ceremony type 'religious', and the denomination 'non-denominational'

In Massachusetts, a friend can officiate a wedding. According to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 207, S. 39, the Governor can designate non-clergy individuals to solemnize a marriage, such as a friend or family member. This is known as a One-Day Marriage Designation.

To officiate a wedding in Massachusetts, the friend must become ordained. This can be done online through organisations such as the Universal Life Church, which is recognised in Massachusetts. Once ordained, the friend will be a minister and can legally solemnise the wedding.

As a minister, the friend will have two main duties on the wedding day: conducting the wedding ceremony and completing the marriage license. The marriage license must be filled out in the presence of the couple and any required witnesses. The officiant must ask the couple to present their marriage license before the wedding and confirm that it is valid. The license is valid for 60 days and there is a mandatory 3-day waiting period between it being picked up and when the ceremony can be legally performed. The signed marriage license must be returned to the City or Town Clerk by the expiration date.

On the marriage license, the friend will enter their title as "Minister", the church name as "American Marriage Ministries", the religious denomination as "Non-Denominational" (unless the wedding is conducted according to a specific religious tradition), and the ceremony type as "Religious". This is important, as in Massachusetts, the designation "Religious" and "Civil" are defined differently from how they are commonly understood: "Civil" is for government officials, and "Religious" is for everything else, even non-religious ceremonies.

The friend officiating the wedding will not be required to provide a license number. They may also wish to give the couple a commemorative gift, such as a marriage certificate.

Frequently asked questions