Notary Weddings In Wyoming: What's The Law?

In the US state of Wyoming, a notary public can perform all the essential functions that notaries do across the country. But can they perform a wedding? To answer this, we must first understand what a notary public is and what they can and can't do in Wyoming. A notary public is someone who serves as an impartial witness to the signing of documents, among other things. In Wyoming, a notary public's duties include notarising signatures, placing signers under oath or affirmation, and authenticating and certifying that a signature was made willingly and freely. They can also act as a witness. However, there is no mention of a notary public being able to perform a wedding in Wyoming. Therefore, it is safe to assume that a notary public cannot perform a wedding in Wyoming.

Notary requirements in Wyoming

To become a notary in Wyoming, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States, or otherwise lawfully present in the country.
• Be a resident of Wyoming, have a place of employment or practice in the state, or be the spouse or legal dependent of military personnel assigned to active duty in Wyoming.
• Not be disqualified to receive a commission under W.S. 32-3-122.
• Have passed the examination and met the education requirements.

Once you have confirmed that you meet these eligibility requirements, you can begin the process of becoming a notary in Wyoming. This process includes the following steps:

• Review the Notary Education Presentation and complete the Wyoming Notary Public Examination included as part of the notary application, or take an educational course and exam from an approved notary vendor and show proof of completion.
• Complete the Notary Application/Renewal Form.
• Take the oath of office in the presence of a notary.
• Mail the notarized application and a filing fee of $60 (check or money order) to the Wyoming Secretary of State, including your certification of course completion, if applicable.
• Purchase an official seal/stamp upon receiving your commission certificate.

Wyoming notaries are required to use an official notary stamp or seal to authenticate all notarial acts performed. The official stamp or seal must be rectangular, in blue or black ink, and include specific information such as the notary public commission name, the words "Notary Public" and "State of Wyoming", the commission ID number, and the expiration date of the notary public commission.

In addition to the eligibility and application process, there are certain duties and requirements that Wyoming notaries must adhere to. These include maintaining a notary journal, recording relevant information for each notarial act, and having statewide jurisdiction to perform notarial acts in any county within the state. Wyoming notaries are also authorized to perform a range of notarial acts, including taking acknowledgments, administering oaths, and certifying copies of documents.

Can a non-resident perform a wedding in Wyoming?

Yes, a non-resident can perform a wedding in Wyoming, but only if they are ordained or licensed to do so. Wyoming has no residency requirements for marriage, which means that anyone can hold their wedding ceremony in the state, regardless of where they live.

To be a wedding officiant in Wyoming, a person must be a duly ordained or licensed minister, or another qualified individual such as a district or circuit court judge, district court commissioner, supreme court justice, or magistrate. There is no requirement to register as a minister in the state of Wyoming, but it is not uncommon for the county clerk to ask for proof of ordination, so it is always a good idea to carry credentials.

To perform a wedding in Wyoming, the couple must first obtain a marriage license from the County Clerk's Office. There is no waiting period for this, and the license is valid for one year from the date of issuance. The officiant must then solemnize the marriage, with both members of the couple expressing consent and signing the marriage certificate in the presence of the officiant and at least two other adult witnesses. The officiant then makes a public pronouncement, and all parties must be physically present at the venue for the ceremony to be valid.

The process of performing a wedding in Wyoming

In Wyoming, a notary public can perform all the essential functions that notaries do across the country. This includes officiating a wedding. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform a wedding in Wyoming as a notary public:

Step 1: Become a Notary Public in Wyoming

To become a notary in Wyoming, you must meet the eligibility requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States, or otherwise lawfully present in the country.
• Be a resident of Wyoming, have a place of employment or practice in the state, or be the spouse or legal dependent of military personnel assigned to active duty in Wyoming.
• Not be disqualified under W.S. 32-3-122.
• Pass the notary examination and meet the education requirements.

To apply, you must:

• Review the Notary Education Presentation and complete the Wyoming Notary Public Examination, or take an educational course and exam from an approved vendor and show proof of completion.
• Complete the Notary Application/Renewal Form.
• Take the oath of office in the presence of a notary.
• Mail the notarized application and a $60 filing fee to the Wyoming Secretary of State, along with your certification of course completion, if applicable.
• Purchase an official seal/stamp upon receiving your commission certificate.

Step 2: Understand Your Responsibilities as a Wedding Officiant

As a notary public officiating a wedding in Wyoming, your responsibilities include:

• Authenticating and certifying that the signatures of the couple getting married are made willingly and freely.
• Asking key questions of the couple and verifying their identities.
• Including notarial certificates for multiple signers, if applicable.
• Placing the couple under oath or affirmation.
• Affixing your official seal or stamp to the marriage certificate.
• Keeping a log or journal of the wedding (optional but recommended).

Step 3: Perform the Wedding Ceremony

On the day of the wedding, ensure that the couple and their witnesses appear personally and physically before you, the notary public. Follow the ceremony process and perform the necessary rituals or traditions. Once the couple has exchanged their vows and rings, they will sign the marriage certificate. You will then affix your official seal or stamp to the certificate, thus making the marriage official and valid.

Step 4: Keep a Record of the Wedding (Optional)

Although not mandatory in Wyoming, it is recommended that you keep a log or journal of the wedding as a notary public. This can include the following information:

• The date and type of notarial act (in this case, a wedding).
• The names and signatures of the couple and any witnesses present.
• The numbers of ID cards presented for verification.
• Optional signatures of individuals present and fingerprints.

By following these steps, you can perform a wedding in Wyoming as a notary public, creating a memorable and official ceremony for the couple.

The cost of becoming a notary in Wyoming

To become a notary in Wyoming, there are several costs you need to consider. Firstly, there is a $60 filing fee payable to the Wyoming Secretary of State to process the application for appointment or reappointment as a notary public. This fee must be included with your application form and can be paid by check or money order.

Secondly, you will need to purchase an official notary stamp or seal, which is mandatory for all new and renewing notaries in Wyoming. The cost of the notary stamp varies depending on the vendor you choose.

Thirdly, it is recommended that you buy a notary journal to record all your notary acts. This can be in a physical or electronic format, and the price will depend on the vendor.

Finally, while not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that you obtain an errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy to protect yourself financially in case of unintentional mistakes or false claims. The cost of this insurance will vary depending on the coverage you select.

In addition to these costs, you may also want to consider the price of any educational courses or exams you choose to take to meet the eligibility requirements. These courses are offered by approved vendors and can provide a more comprehensive understanding of notary procedures and best practices.

The duties of a Wyoming notary

A Wyoming notary public is authorised to perform the following notarial acts:

• Taking an acknowledgment
• Administering an oath and affirmation
• Taking a verification upon oath or affirmation
• Witnessing or attesting a signature
• Certifying or attesting a copy
• Noting a protest of a negotiable instrument
• Other acts authorised by Wyoming law

The process for all notarial acts includes requirements such as:

• Having the signer(s) appear personally and physically in front of the notary public
• Affixing the Notary Public's official seal or stamp to the documents being notarised

The office of the Notary Public has a particular kind of ceremony and process around the notarial act, and it is up to the individual notary public to observe this process.

Wyoming notaries are also required to keep a tangible or electronic journal for all notarial acts. While this is not mandatory, these entries can be invaluable as evidence if a question arises about the integrity of the act.

Frequently asked questions