Who Can Officiate Weddings In Washington State?

If you're getting married in Washington and want a friend to officiate, it's possible! Washington Law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office. However, your friend must be an ordained minister to be able to legally perform your marriage. They can get ordained online through organizations like The Provenance Center, American Marriage Ministries, or Universal Life Church. Once ordained, your friend will be legally recognized as an officiant and can perform your wedding ceremony. They will also need to ensure that all legal paperwork is in order, including the marriage license, which must be signed by the couple, your friend as the officiant, and any required witnesses. So, if you're planning a wedding in Washington, having a friend officiate is definitely an option to consider!

The friend must be 18 or older

If your friend is officiating your wedding in Washington, they must be 18 or older. This is a legal requirement in the state of Washington, and there are no exceptions to this rule. The Universal Life Church (ULC), a popular organisation for wedding officiants to register through, does not even ordain ministers who are younger than 18.

Your friend will also need to be ordained as a minister through a recognised organisation. This can be done online, and there are several websites that offer free, quick, and easy online ordination. These include The Provenance Center, American Marriage Ministries (AMM), and Universal Life Church (ULC). Your friend will need to provide their official Ministry Credentials if requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. To be fully prepared, your friend should also obtain their ordination certificate and any other documents required by the county where the wedding will take place.

Once ordained, your friend should familiarise themselves with Washington's marriage laws and any specific requirements or necessary legal paperwork for the county in which the wedding will take place. They should also meet with the couple to discuss their ceremony preferences, including the script, vows, and any special rituals they want to include.

On the wedding day, your friend should arrive early to ensure everything is set up correctly. They will need to guide the couple through their vows and any other rituals, projecting their voice so that all guests can hear the ceremony. After the ceremony, your friend must ensure that the marriage license is signed by the couple and any required witnesses. The marriage license must then be returned to the county auditor or county clerk within 60 days.

They must be ordained by a religious organisation

If you're planning to have a friend officiate your wedding in Washington, there are a few things to keep in mind. While Washington law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office, your friend must be ordained by a religious organization to be legally recognized as an officiant. This is specified in Washington Law (Revised Code of Washington § 26.04.050). Here are some important points to consider:

Ordination by a Religious Organization

Your friend can get ordained through an online platform or a recognized organization like The Provenance Center or American Marriage Ministries (AMM). The ordination process is typically quick, easy, and free. By becoming ordained, your friend gains the legal ability to officiate weddings in Washington. It's important to note that local regulations in Washington stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" must be ordained by a religious organization. This ensures that your friend has the necessary credentials to perform the wedding ceremony.

Understanding Local Marriage Laws

Once your friend is ordained, it's crucial to familiarize themselves with Washington's marriage laws. Contact the county clerk's office where the wedding will take place to understand specific requirements and ensure all legal paperwork is in order. Washington has specific requirements for the marriage license, including a waiting period and validity period. Your friend, as the officiant, will be responsible for handling the marriage license on the wedding day and ensuring it is properly completed and returned.

Obtaining Necessary Documentation

It is recommended that your friend has their ordination certificate on hand, as county clerks may request proof of ordination. The Classic Wedding Package offered by some organizations includes the necessary documents. Your friend should also be prepared to present any requested documentation to the issuing office before the wedding. This may include their official ordination certificate and letter of good standing, which can be obtained through their ordination package.

Preparing for the Wedding Ceremony

Your friend can use resources provided by their ordination organization to guide them through the process of creating a personalized ceremony script, meeting with the couple to discuss their preferences, and conducting a rehearsal to ensure a smooth and memorable ceremony. It's important for your friend to understand their responsibilities as an officiant, which include both conducting the ceremony and completing the legal requirements, such as signing the marriage license.

Signing the Marriage License

After the ceremony, your friend, as the officiant, will need to ensure the marriage license is signed by the couple and any required witnesses. The marriage license typically needs to be returned to the county clerk's office within a specified timeframe, usually within 60 days. Your friend should also complete their section of the marriage license, including their name, title ("Minister"), and the ordaining body or organization.

In summary, while it is possible for a friend to officiate your wedding in Washington, it's important to ensure they follow the necessary steps to be legally recognized as an officiant. This includes ordination by a religious organization, understanding local marriage laws, obtaining necessary documentation, preparing for the ceremony, and properly handling the marriage license. By following these steps, your friend can create a memorable and legally compliant wedding ceremony for you.

They must register as a minister

If your friend wants to officiate your wedding in Washington, they must register as a minister. Washington Law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office. However, to be legally recognised as an officiant, your friend must be an ordained minister. This can be done through an online ordination process, which is quick, free, and simple. Your friend can register through an online church such as Universal Life Church (ULC), American Marriage Ministries (AMM), or The Provenance Center.

Once ordained, your friend must understand the local marriage laws and obtain the necessary documentation. They should keep a record of their official ministry credentials, including their ordination certificate, as proof of their ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. Your friend can order a Minister Ordination Package, which includes their official Ordination Certificate and Letter of Good Standing, signed by a church officer, dated, and notarised.

When it comes to the wedding ceremony, your friend will have specific duties as the officiant. They will need to meet with the couple to discuss their preferences, prepare the ceremony script, and conduct a rehearsal. On the wedding day, they will perform the ceremony, ensure the marriage license is signed by the couple and witnesses, and return the license to the county clerk's office within the specified timeframe.

It is important to note that Washington requires all weddings to be attended by the marrying couple, the officiant, and two witnesses who are at least 18 years of age. The officiant must also include two traditional affirmations in the ceremony: the couple must express their consent to marry, and the officiating minister must pronounce the couple as legally wed before ending the ceremony.

They must complete the marriage license

If your friend is officiating your wedding in Washington, they must complete the marriage license. This is their legal duty as the wedding officiant. While this is a serious responsibility, it is a straightforward process. Here are the steps they need to follow:

Ask the Couple to Present the Marriage License

Your friend should ask you, the couple, to present your marriage license before the wedding. It is important to ensure that you have the license with you on the wedding day to avoid any delays or complications. Your friend should remind you to bring the license to the ceremony, especially if it is the day before the wedding.

Confirm that the Marriage License is Valid

Before signing the license, your friend needs to confirm that it is still valid. In Washington, the marriage license waiting period is three days, and the license expires 60 days after issuance. Therefore, your friend must check that it has not been more than 60 days since you filed for the license. Additionally, two adults are required to sign the marriage license as witnesses in Washington.

Complete and Sign the Marriage License

Your friend, as the officiant, is responsible for completing and signing the marriage license with you and the witnesses. They will need to fill in their portion of the license, including their name, title ("minister"), and ordaining body. If the address of their church or home is requested, they should use their own address rather than that of a headquarters location. Ensure that all necessary signatures are obtained and that the license is accurately completed to avoid the need for a new license.

Return the Marriage License to the County Auditor

After the marriage license is completed, it must be returned to the County Auditor's office. Specific instructions on how and where to return the license should be included with the license when it is issued. It is important to return the completed license before its expiration date, which is 60 days from the date of issuance. Returning the license promptly ensures that your marriage is legally recognized and avoids any potential fines or legal consequences for your friend as the officiant.

They must return the marriage license

Once the ceremony is complete, the final step in the process is to return the marriage license to the relevant authority. In Washington, the marriage license must be returned to the County Auditor or the county clerk's office. This is usually the responsibility of the couple, but some states require the minister or officiant to do this.

Specific instructions on how to return the marriage license should be included with the marriage license when it is issued to the couple. If these instructions are not included, the officiant can call the issuance office for further clarification. Regardless of who returns the marriage license or by what method, it is important to return the completed document to its issuance office as soon as possible.

In Washington, there are no laws specifying a time frame within which the marriage license must be returned to the County Auditor after the wedding. However, a marriage license in Washington expires after 60 days. So, it is crucial to make sure that the completed marriage license is returned before the expiration date. As long as the completed marriage license is returned before this date, the marriage license will be filed and recorded in Washington.

If the marriage license is not returned within the mandated timeframe of 60 days from issuance, the officiant may face criminal charges of negligence or malice, as well as a fine of up to $300. For these reasons, most officiants choose to complete the task themselves to ensure it is done correctly and on time.

While officiants are not required to report any information about planned or completed weddings to their ordaining organization, it is recommended that each officiant keeps a detailed record of every ceremony performed. This is especially critical when there is payment for services or a signed contract involved.

Frequently asked questions