Notary Wedding Officiation In Maryland: What's The Deal?

A notary public can officiate weddings in some US states, but can they do so in Maryland? In short, yes—but only if they are also licensed as a wedding officiant in the state. Maryland does not require officiants to register with any government body, but they must be ordained by a religious organisation.

Maryland law does not require officiants to register with any government office

While Maryland law does not require officiants to register with a government body, it is recommended that officiants keep a personal record of their official ministry credentials. Proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. This proof can be obtained through an officiant's ordination certificate and a letter of good standing, which is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarised.

Additionally, Maryland law specifies who can solemnise a marriage. This includes all ministers, including online ordained ministers, and civil officials such as clerks, their deputies, and judges. However, anyone who solemnises a wedding in Maryland must be at least 18 years old.

It is important to note that the requirements and procedures for wedding officiants may vary from county to county within Maryland. Therefore, it is advisable to contact the relevant county clerk's office to understand the specific rules and requirements for the desired wedding location.

Furthermore, while Maryland does not require officiant registration, there are clear guidelines for handling the marriage license. Officiants are responsible for handling the marriage license on the wedding day, confirming its validity, completing and signing it, and returning it to the Circuit Court Clerk within the specified timeframe.

In summary, while Maryland law does not mandate officiant registration with a government office, it is essential to follow the state's requirements for wedding solemnisation and marriage license handling to ensure a smooth and legally recognised wedding ceremony.

Officiants must be ordained ministers to legally perform marriages in Maryland

In Maryland, officiants must be ordained ministers to legally perform marriages. While Maryland law does not require officiants to register with any government office, they must be ordained by a religious organisation, such as the Universal Life Church (ULC).

Maryland is one of the few states that recognises a marriage certificate from a notary public, but only if the notary is also a licensed officiant or wedding official in the state. In these cases, the notary can perform the traditional aspects of the ceremony, including the vows and completing the related documentation, such as signing the marriage license.

However, to be a wedding officiant in Maryland, one must be at least 18 years old, and there are specific requirements that must be adhered to for the wedding to be legally accepted. These include:

• Obtaining a marriage license from the county clerk's office.
• A mandatory 2-day waiting period after receiving the license before the ceremony can be legally performed.
• Returning the signed marriage license to the circuit court clerk within 5 days of the wedding or before the license expires (usually after 6 months).

While Maryland law does not require officiant registration, it is recommended to keep personal records of official ministry credentials, as proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

A notary public can only perform weddings in certain states

As of 2021, there are six states that allow a notary to officiate a wedding: Florida, Maine, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Montana. In these states, a notary can perform the traditional aspects of a wedding ceremony, including the vows and completing the necessary documentation, such as signing the marriage license.

It's important to note that a notary public is not allowed to marry couples in all states. If you are planning a wedding and considering a notary public as the officiant, it is crucial to check your state's laws and regulations. In states that do not recognize a notary public as an officiant, the marriage certificate will not be considered legal unless the notary is also licensed as a wedding officiant in that state.

Additionally, there are specific requirements and considerations for notary publics to officiate wedding ceremonies. For example, a licensed notary can only perform weddings within the state they are licensed in and cannot marry out-of-state couples. The marriage license must also be returned to the issuing clerk's office within a specified time frame, usually before the expiration date of the license.

In Maryland, specifically, there is no requirement for wedding officiants to register with any government office. However, local regulations stipulate that wedding officiants must be ordained by a religious organization, and proof of ordination may be requested. While a notary public can perform weddings in some states, it is unclear if they are recognized as officiants in Maryland. It is recommended to check with local authorities or legal professionals to confirm if a notary public can legally officiate a wedding in Maryland.

In Maryland, officiants must fill out the marriage license

• Ask the Couple to Present their Marriage License: Contact the couple the day before the wedding and remind them to bring their marriage license to the ceremony.
• Confirm that the Marriage License is Valid: Check that the marriage license is still valid by confirming the waiting period, expiration, and return requirements. In Maryland, there is a two-day waiting period after receiving the license, and the license is valid for six months.
• Fill Out the Marriage License: Complete your portion of the license, including your name, title, and signature. If you are a minister ordained by the American Marriage Ministries, enter "Minister" as your title and "American Marriage Ministries" as the church name. Enter "Non-Denominational" for the religious denomination unless the ceremony is conducted according to a specific religious tradition. For the ceremony type, enter "Religious," even if the ceremony is non-religious.
• Return the Marriage License: Return the completed marriage license to the Circuit Court Clerk's office within five days of the wedding. This step is typically the responsibility of the couple, but some states require it to be done by the officiant. Make sure to include any required ordination credentials with the returned license.

It is important to follow these steps to ensure that the marriage is legally recognized and to avoid any administrative issues. By fulfilling their duty as the officiant, they can help ensure the couple's marriage is officially recognized and valid.

Maryland does not require witnesses to sign the marriage license

In Maryland, a notary public can perform a wedding ceremony, legally marry a couple, and act as a wedding officiant. However, this is not the case in all states. Only a few states recognize a marriage certificate from a notary, and there are specific requirements that all parties should adhere to for the wedding ceremony to be legally accepted.

To obtain a marriage license in Maryland, couples must apply at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in the county where the marriage will take place. The license is valid for six months from the date of issuance and has a waiting period of two days before it can be used. There is no requirement for a blood test or witnesses when obtaining a marriage license in Maryland.

Once the marriage has taken place, the officiant must return the completed marriage license to the Circuit Court Clerk within five days. This is usually the responsibility of the couple, but some states require the officiant to do so.

Frequently asked questions