Who Can Officiate A Wedding In Michigan?

If you're planning to officiate a wedding in Michigan, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, Michigan grants the authority to solemnize weddings to several individuals, including mayors, judges, magistrates, ministers, clerks, and certain religious practitioners. To be recognized as a minister who can legally perform weddings in Michigan, you must be ordained by a religious organization and be at least 18 years old. While Michigan does not require ministers to register with any government office, it is recommended to keep records of your official ministry credentials as proof of your ordination. This includes documents such as your ordination certificate and letter of good standing. These credentials may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. Additionally, ministers are responsible for maintaining records of all marriages they perform and must return the completed marriage license to the issuing county clerk within 10 days of the ceremony.

Who can perform a wedding in Michigan?

In Michigan, several persons are granted the power to solemnize a wedding. This includes mayors, judges, magistrates, ministers, clerks, and certain religious practitioners. Michigan Compiled Laws § 551.7 specifies who can solemnize a marriage, and while it does include all ministers, they must be ordained by a religious organization.

Michigan law states that to perform a wedding, one must be a minister of the gospel or cleric/religious practitioner, anywhere in the state, if they are ordained or authorized to solemnize marriages according to the usages of the denomination. This means that the minister must be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries, and must be at least 18 years old. The same rules apply to non-residents of Michigan, who are also able to perform weddings in the state.

Michigan does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office. However, it is a good idea to keep personal records of official ministry credentials, as proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. Before the ceremony, the officiant must present a letter of good standing and their ordination credentials to the county clerk.

In addition to the above, as of April 2020, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has promised that the state considers CFI-trained and certified Secular Celebrants to be covered by the existing marriage statutes as authorized persons to solemnize a marriage.

What are the requirements to become a wedding officiant in Michigan?

Michigan has various requirements for those looking to become a wedding officiant. Here is a step-by-step guide on what you need to do:

• Age Requirement: To perform a wedding in Michigan, you must be at least 18 years old. This is the minimum age to be ordained by organisations such as the Universal Life Church (ULC) and American Marriage Ministries (AMM).
• Get Ordained: To be a wedding officiant in Michigan, you must be ordained by a religious organisation. Both ULC and AMM offer free online ordinations. Once ordained, you have the legal ability to officiate weddings anywhere in Michigan.
• No Need to Register with the State: Unlike some other states, Michigan does not require officiants to register with any government office. However, it is a good idea to keep personal records of your official ministry credentials, as proof of your ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.
• Contact the County Clerk: Before officiating a wedding, it is recommended to contact the county clerk's office in the county where the wedding will take place. Identify yourself as a minister and inquire about the specific documents needed to perform the wedding in that county, as these requirements can vary.
• Get Your Ordination Credentials: You may be asked to provide various documents to verify your ordination status. These can include your ordination certificate, letter of good standing, and other official credentials. It is advisable to order these documents at least a few weeks in advance.
• Understand Marriage License Rules: As an officiant, you should understand the rules governing marriage licenses in Michigan. Marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk's office and are valid for 33 days. There is a mandatory three-day waiting period after the couple receives the license before the ceremony can be legally performed.
• Perform the Wedding: Once all the requirements are met, you are ready to perform the wedding! Ensure the couple has obtained their marriage license and that the ceremony takes place within the valid period. After the wedding, the signed license must be returned to the issuing office before the deadline.
• Complete the Marriage Certificate: As the officiant, you are responsible for filling out the marriage certificate with the necessary information, including the names and residences of the couple and witnesses, the time and place of the marriage, and your name, title, and signature. This should be printed legibly or typed. Provide a copy of the marriage certificate to the couple, and return the original to the issuing county clerk within 10 days.
• Keep Records: Michigan law requires ministers who perform marriage ceremonies to maintain records of all the weddings they officiate.

What documents do I need to perform a wedding in Michigan?

To perform a wedding in Michigan, you must be an ordained minister and be at least 18 years old. Michigan grants the power to solemnize a wedding to several persons, including mayors, judges, magistrates, ministers, clerks, and certain religious practitioners.

Before the ceremony, the officiant must present a letter of good standing and ordination credentials to the county clerk. The officiant must also complete the marriage certificate and separate the duplicate to return to the newlyweds. The original must be returned to the clerk who issued it within 10 days following the ceremony.

The marriage certificate should be printed legibly or typed and bear the name, title, and signature of the officiant. Other information required on the certificate includes the names and residences of the two witnesses and the time and place of the marriage.

There is no requirement for officiants to register with any government office prior to performing a marriage. However, it is a good idea to keep personal records of your official Ministry Credentials. Proof of your ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

What is the process to get ordained in Michigan?

The process to get ordained in Michigan is relatively straightforward and can be completed in a few simple steps. Here is a detailed guide on how to get ordained in the state:

• Check the Requirements: Before beginning the process, it is essential to understand the requirements for ordination in Michigan. The state recognises ministers from various religious organisations, including online ordination services like the Universal Life Church (ULC) and Open Ministry. The minimum age to perform a wedding in Michigan is 18, and there is no requirement to register with any government office. However, it is recommended to keep records of your official ministry credentials as proof of your ordination.
• Get Ordained: The next step is to get ordained by a recognised religious organisation. Both ULC and Open Ministry offer free online ordination services. The process is typically quick and easy, and once completed, you will receive your minister's license, which authorises you to officiate weddings in Michigan.
• Contact the County Clerk: After becoming ordained, contact the county clerk's office in the county where you plan to perform the wedding. Identify yourself as a minister and inquire about the specific documents they require. The requirements may vary from county to county, so it is important to contact the correct office.
• Obtain Necessary Documents: The county clerk may request various documents to verify your ordination status. These may include your ordination credentials, a letter of good standing, and other official credentials. You can usually obtain these documents from the religious organisation that ordained you.
• Understand Marriage License Requirements: As a minister, it is essential to understand the rules governing marriage licenses in Michigan. Marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk's office, and there is a mandatory three-day waiting period after the couple receives the license before the ceremony can be legally performed. The license is typically valid for 30 to 33 days, and the signed license must be returned to the issuing office within 10 days of the ceremony.
• Finalise the Marriage: After performing the wedding ceremony, you will need to sign the marriage license along with the couple and their two witnesses. Your title will typically be "Minister," the ceremony type is "Religious," and the denomination is "Non-Denominational." Ensure that all information on the license is legibly printed or typewritten.

By following these steps, you will be able to get ordained and legally perform wedding ceremonies in Michigan. It is important to stay informed about the specific requirements and regulations in the state to ensure that the weddings you officiate are legally binding.

What is the cost of getting ordained in Michigan?

The cost of getting ordained in Michigan depends on the organisation through which you seek ordination. Some organisations, such as American Marriage Ministries and Open Ministry, offer free online ordination. Other organisations, such as First Nation Ministry, offer low-cost ordination packages, which include various official documents. For example, First Nation Ministry's 5-year ordination package costs $24.95, while their 10-year package costs $39.95. Their single-ceremony package costs $10.95. The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster also offers ordination, but for a fee of $59.

It is worth noting that Michigan does not require ministers to register with the state before performing a marriage ceremony. However, it is recommended that you order proof of your ordination, as you may be asked to verify your status as an ordained minister.

Frequently asked questions