Can A Minor Officiate A Wedding In Wisconsin?

If you're planning a wedding in Wisconsin, you might be wondering who can officiate the ceremony. The laws are pretty simple: officiants must be at least 18 years old and can be a judge, appointed court commissioner, or ordained minister. While Wisconsin recognizes online and non-denominational ordained ministers, they must be ordained by a religious organization. So, unfortunately, a kid cannot legally officiate your wedding in Wisconsin.

Who can officiate a wedding in Wisconsin?

The laws surrounding who can officiate a wedding in Wisconsin are pretty simple. Almost anyone can do it, as long as they meet a few requirements.

Firstly, the officiant must be at least 18 years old. They must also be a judge, an appointed court commissioner, or an ordained minister. Wisconsin recognises online and nondenominational ordained ministers, so ordination through an organisation like the Universal Life Church can qualify someone to perform a marriage. The ordination is free, but the certificate (which is necessary) costs $18.

It is the officiant's responsibility to ensure that all the marriage license paperwork is completed, signed, and valid before the wedding takes place. They must also handle the marriage license on the wedding day and return it to the county clerk within three days of the wedding.

In addition to the officiant, there must be two competent adult witnesses present at the wedding.

What are the requirements to officiate a wedding in Wisconsin?

To officiate a wedding in Wisconsin, you must be at least 18 years old and be a judge, an appointed court commissioner, or an ordained minister. Wisconsin recognizes online and non-denominational ordained ministers, so you can qualify to perform a marriage by quickly getting ordained through an organization like the Universal Life Church.

If you want to officiate a wedding in Wisconsin, you should pursue online ordination and then visit the county clerk's office to see which documents are necessary. The clerk may want to see your ordination credentials or ask for additional information. It's important to work with the same clerk's office that issues the marriage license.

As the officiant, you are responsible for ensuring that all the marriage license paperwork is completed, signed, and valid before the couple gets married. You will also need to fill out the marriage license in the presence of the couple and any required witnesses. In Wisconsin, two adult witnesses are required to sign the marriage license.

Once the marriage license is completed, it must be returned to the county clerk within three days of the wedding.

What are the duties of the officiant?

While the duties of a wedding officiant will vary depending on the type of officiant and the couple's preferences, there are several common responsibilities that they will need to fulfil. Here is a detailed list of the duties of the officiant:

Before the Wedding

• Ensure the couple has obtained a valid marriage license. In Wisconsin, the couple must apply for a marriage license in person at a county clerk's office. The officiant should ask the couple to present their marriage license before the wedding and confirm its validity.
• Meet with the couple to understand their vision and preferences for the ceremony. Discuss the tone, traditions, readings, and whether they want the ceremony to be funny or heartfelt.
• Guide the couple in writing their wedding vows if they need assistance.
• Lead the wedding rehearsal, briefing the wedding party on their roles, when to walk down the aisle, and their respective places.

During the Wedding

• Conduct the wedding ceremony. This includes leading the flow of the ceremony, rituals, and explaining the significance of each segment to the couple and guests.
• Perform the declaration of intent by asking the couple, "Do you take...??".
• Pronounce the couple as married.
• Sign the marriage license with the couple and any required witnesses. In Wisconsin, two adult witnesses are required.

After the Wedding

• Return the completed marriage license to the county clerk promptly after the ceremony. In Wisconsin, the signed marriage license must be returned within three days of the wedding.
• The officiant may also participate in a pictorial with the newlyweds.

What is the process of becoming an officiant?

To become a wedding officiant in Wisconsin, you must be at least 18 years old and be a judge, appointed court commissioner, or ordained minister.

The state of Wisconsin recognises online and nondenominational ordained ministers, so a quick process with an organisation like the Universal Life Church can qualify someone to perform a marriage. Ordination is free, but the certificate is $18.

The Process of Becoming an Officiant

• Get ordained online with an organisation like the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries.
• Check the requirements of the specific county where the wedding will take place. Contact the County Clerk's office and ask them what documents they will need to see. Requirements vary from county to county, so it's important to check in advance.
• Obtain a valid marriage license. In Wisconsin, the couple must wait 6 days to receive their marriage license from when they file for it at the County Clerk's office. The license expires 30 days after issuance, and the signed license must be returned to the issuing office within 3 days of the ceremony.
• Prepare for the wedding by taking advantage of step-by-step guidance for writing a wedding ceremony script and practising ahead of time.
• Officiate the wedding and complete the marriage license with the couple and any required witnesses. Two adult witnesses are required in Wisconsin.
• Record the wedding with the relevant organisation.

What are the penalties for unlawful solemnization of marriage?

In Wisconsin, the penalties for the unlawful solemnization of marriage are outlined in Section 765.30 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The penalties vary depending on the specific violation and are as follows:

• Unlawful solemnization of marriage: Any officiating person who solemnizes a marriage without a proper marriage license, without the parties declaring to take each other as husband and wife, without the presence of competent adult witnesses, with knowledge of any legal impediment, more than 60 days after the date of the marriage license, or with false certification of the marriage date shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500, or imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both.
• Unlawful solemnization by parties: When a marriage is solemnized without an officiating person, without the presence of competent adult witnesses, more than 60 days after the date of the license, or with false certification of the marriage date, the penalties are the same as for unlawful solemnization by an officiating person.
• Failure to file a marriage certificate: Any officiating person or parties marrying without an officiating person who neglect or refuse to transmit the original marriage certificate to the register of deeds within 3 days after the marriage shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $200, or imprisoned for not more than 3 months, or both.
• Violations relating to records: Any county clerk who refuses or neglects to enter marriage license applications and issuances into the marriage license docket, keep the docket open for public inspection, or prevent the making of copies or abstracts of entries shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $200, or imprisoned for not more than 3 months, or both.
• Other violations: Any person violating any provision of the marriage statutes for which no other penalty is provided shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $50.

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