Notary Wedding Officiants In Connecticut: What's The Law?

In the United States, the laws governing marriage vary from state to state. In Connecticut, there are no laws requiring wedding officiants to register with any government office. However, only specific individuals are legally authorized to perform marriages in the state. So, can a notary perform a wedding in Connecticut?

Connecticut marriage requirements

Who Can Perform a Wedding in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, the following people are authorised to perform a wedding:

• Justices of the Peace
• Judges and retired judges
• Family support magistrates
• Ordained or licensed clergy who have an active ministry in addition to performing marriages
• Notary publics (if they are also ordained ministers)

Who Can Get Married in Connecticut?

Connecticut does not have any residency requirements, making it an ideal destination wedding spot. To get married in Connecticut, you must be:

• At least 18 years old
• Not already married
• Not under the supervision or control of a conservator
• Not related to your partner by consanguinity or affinity (i.e. no marrying your parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, etc.)

Same-sex marriage is legal in Connecticut, and the state does not discriminate against couples from varying religious or non-religious beliefs.

How to Get a Connecticut Marriage License

You can obtain a marriage license from the Town Clerk for a cost of at least $50. You will need to provide photo identification and some additional personal information, and both parties must be physically present to obtain the document and swear to the truth of the information provided. The license is only valid for use in the town or city in which it was issued and has a validity period of 65 days.

Finalising the Marriage

To ensure a legally binding wedding, the officiant must complete and return the marriage license to the proper town clerk by the deadline, which is usually the first week of the month following the wedding. The officiant must provide their personal information, including their title, name, and home address, and both the couple and officiant must sign the document.

Who can perform marriages in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, a marriage ceremony can be performed by:

• Justices of the Peace
• Judges and retired judges
• Family support magistrates
• Ordained or licensed clergy who have an active ministry in addition to performing marriages

Unlike some other states, Connecticut does not require officiants to be registered with any government office. However, it is important to confirm that your wedding officiant is legally authorized to perform marriages in the state.

Notary Publics in Connecticut

A Notary Public is a licensed professional who verifies signatures and identities on documents. In some states, such as Florida, Maine, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Montana, a Notary Public can also perform wedding ceremonies and act as a wedding officiant.

In Connecticut, while a Notary Public can notarize documents related to marriage, such as life documents, marriage licenses, and name change documents, they are not authorized to perform the marriage ceremony.

Other Requirements for Marriage in Connecticut

In addition to ensuring that your officiant is authorized to perform marriages in Connecticut, there are a few other requirements to keep in mind:

• There is no residency requirement, making Connecticut an ideal destination wedding spot.
• Both parties must be at least 18 years old.
• Connecticut allows all types of couples to marry, including same-sex couples.
• The marriage ceremony must be performed within 65 days of obtaining the marriage license.
• The marriage license must be returned to the town clerk within a certain timeframe after the ceremony, usually by the first week of the following month.

How to get a Connecticut marriage license

In Connecticut, a notary public can perform a wedding ceremony, but only if they are also ordained as a minister. In other states, such as New York, Florida, Maine, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Montana, a notary public can marry a couple without needing to be ordained.

To get a Connecticut marriage license, you must follow these steps:

• Obtain a marriage license from the vital records office of the town where the marriage will take place.
• Pay the $50 fee for the license.
• Both parties must appear in person to complete the marriage license application, provide identification, and make a sworn statement that the information provided is true.
• A blood test is not required in Connecticut.
• The marriage ceremony must be performed within 65 days of the date of issue of the marriage license.
• After the ceremony, the marriage officiant will submit the license to the registrar of vital records of the town where the marriage took place.
• The license will be filed in the official marriage records of Connecticut and is then referred to as a marriage certificate.

It is important to note that only certain individuals are authorized to perform marriages in Connecticut. These include:

• Judges and retired judges, including federal judges and judges of other states.
• Family support magistrates, family support referees, state referees, and justices of the peace who are appointed in Connecticut.
• Ordained or licensed members of the clergy, including those ordained through online ministries, who have the authority to officiate marriages.

How to become a wedding officiant in Connecticut

To become a wedding officiant in Connecticut, you must be at least 18 years old and be an ordained minister. There is no requirement to register with any government office. However, Connecticut law specifies who is eligible to solemnize a marriage. According to the General Statutes of Connecticut § 46b-22, only the following individuals can officiate a wedding:

• All judges and retired judges, either elected or appointed, including federal judges and judges of other states who may legally join persons in marriage in their jurisdictions.
• Family support magistrates, family support referees, state referees, and justices of the peace who are appointed in Connecticut.
• All ordained or licensed members of the clergy, belonging to this state or any other state.

If you want to become an ordained minister, you can complete an online requirement with an organization like American Marriage Ministries. After becoming ordained, you will need to perform some other type of ceremony or act before the wedding to ensure the validity of your license. This could include meeting with people to discuss religious topics, and you should keep notes and details as proof of performance.

It is important to note that getting an "Internet ordination" or "online ordination" will not give you the right to marry people in Connecticut. Marriages performed without proper legal authority are not valid.

Finalising the marriage

Choose an Authorised Officiant:

It is important to confirm that your chosen wedding officiant is legally authorised to perform marriages in Connecticut. Authorised officiants in Connecticut include Justices of the Peace, judges, retired judges, family support magistrates, ordained or licensed clergy with an active ministry, and some notary publics.

Understand the Requirements:

Before the ceremony, ensure you understand the legal requirements for a valid marriage. In Connecticut, all participants, including the officiant, must be physically present at the ceremony. There is no witness requirement, but the law requires the minister to pronounce the couple married, and both partners must verbally consent, typically by saying "I do".

Complete the Marriage License:

The officiant must complete the marriage license with their personal information, including their title, name, home address, and the name of their church or ordaining body. Both the couple and the officiant must sign the document. Accuracy is crucial to avoid errors, additional fees, and work.

Return the Marriage License:

The officiant is responsible for returning the completed marriage license to the proper Town Clerk by the specified deadline. The deadline is typically the first week of the month following the wedding ceremony. The Town Clerk may contact the officiant for additional information or clarification, so record-keeping is essential.

Keep Records:

While the church may not require reporting of the ceremony, it is good practice for the officiant to maintain their records of ceremonies performed. This serves as proof of performance and helps with record-keeping for fees collected.

Comply with State Laws:

Ensure that you comply with all state laws and regulations concerning marriage validity. In Connecticut, the marriage license must be returned to the Town Clerk within 65 days of the date of application to be valid. Failure to properly register the license may result in an invalid marriage and potential legal issues.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your marriage is finalised correctly and legally recognised in Connecticut.

Frequently asked questions