Montana Wedding Officiants: Who Can Legally Marry You?

Can Anyone in Montana Perform a Wedding?

Montana has unique requirements for a valid wedding ceremony, and while the laws have been updated, the process is relatively straightforward. In Montana, ministers must be at least 18 years old to perform a wedding, but they are not required to be a resident of the state or hold any specific religious beliefs. The process of becoming a minister is simple and can be done online through organizations such as the Universal Life Church, Open Ministry, or American Marriage Ministries. Once ordained, ministers must contact their local county clerk to inquire about any additional documentation requirements, as these vary from county to county. Overall, the process is accessible, and anyone in Montana can perform a wedding as long as they meet the legal requirements and follow the necessary steps.

Montana does not require officiants to register with any government office

Montana has unique requirements for a valid wedding ceremony, and while it does not require officiants to register with any government office, there are still some steps to take to ensure the ceremony is legally binding.

Step 1: Become an Ordained Minister

The first step to becoming a wedding officiant in Montana is to become an ordained minister. This can be done online through organizations such as the Universal Life Church, Get Ordained, and Open Ministry. The process is typically free, fast, and easy. Once ordained, you are legally authorized to perform weddings in the state of Montana.

Step 2: Contact the County Clerk

Next, you will need to contact the County Clerk in the county where the wedding will take place. Identify yourself as a minister officiating a wedding and ask about the required documents. Requirements may vary from county to county, so it is important to contact the correct office. Some of the documents you may need include:

• Ordination certificate
• Letter of Good Standing
• Minister's license
• Classic Wedding Package

Step 3: Understand Marriage License Requirements

It is important to understand how marriage licenses work in Montana and the specific county where the wedding will take place. Marriage licenses in Montana are issued by the County Clerk's office and are valid for six months. There is no waiting period between when the license is picked up and when the ceremony can be performed. The signed license must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days of the ceremony.

Step 4: Perform the Wedding

Once all the paperwork is in order, you are ready to perform the wedding! After the ceremony, you will need to sign the marriage license along with the couple and their two witnesses. Your title will be "Minister," the ceremony type is "Religious," and the denomination is "Non-Denominational." No license number is required.

Step 5: Finalize the Marriage

After the ceremony, the wedding officiant is responsible for returning the completed marriage license to the original issuer within 30 days. The officiant will need to fill out their section of the license, including their title, ordaining body, and home address.

Officiants must be ordained by a religious organisation

Montana has unique requirements for a legally valid wedding ceremony. While the state does not require officiants to register with any government office, they must be ordained by a religious organisation to be able to legally perform a marriage.

Officiant Requirements in Montana

Montana law does not require officiants to register with any government office, but they must be ordained by a religious organisation. Local regulations in Montana stipulate that wedding officiants designated as "Minister" be ordained by a religious organisation. This means that once you are ordained, you have the immediate legal ability to officiate weddings anywhere in Montana.

Registration and Documentation

While not required to register, it is recommended that officiants keep personal records 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 ordination package, which includes an Ordination Certificate and Letter of Good Standing. The Letter of Good Standing is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarised.

County Clerk Requirements

Each county in Montana has its own requirements, so it is important to contact the County Clerk's office in the county where the ceremony will take place. Identify yourself as a minister officiating a wedding and ask about the specific documents they require. Some of the documents that may be requested include:

• Ordination record
• Letter of Good Standing
• Marriage license
• Proof of residency
• Government-issued photo ID

Finalising the Marriage

After performing the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage license along with the couple and their two witnesses. The officiant's title will be "Minister", the ceremony type is "Religious", and the denomination is "Non-Denominational". The officiant is not required to provide a license number. The signed license must be returned to the marriage office before the deadline, which is typically within 30 days of the ceremony.

Officiants must be at least 18 years old

Officiants in Montana have to be at least 18 years old. This is a requirement for ministers ordained through the Universal Life Church, one of the world's largest religious organizations. Ordination is free and easy to obtain online.

Montana does not require officiants to register with any government office. However, it is a good idea to keep a personal record of your official ministry credentials, as proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

In addition to being 18 or older, ministers must coordinate with the couple and the clerk who issued the marriage license to ensure that all required documentation is in order. This may include a marriage certificate, the officiant's ordination certificate, and a letter of good standing.

While the state does not require ministers to hold any specific personal religious beliefs, they must be authorized to solemnize marriages. This can be done through ordination with the Universal Life Church for those who are 18 or older.

The couple does not need to be present at the ceremony

Montana is one of the few states in the US that permits marriage by proxy. This means that if one or both parties are unable to attend the ceremony, they can authorise a third person to act as a proxy in the wedding.

Requirements for a proxy marriage

• The person performing the marriage must be satisfied that the absent party is unable to be present and has consented to the marriage.
• The person performing the marriage must be physically present, along with two adult witnesses.
• If the person performing the marriage is not satisfied that the absent party is unable to be present and has consented to the marriage, the couple may petition the district court for an order permitting the marriage to be solemnised by proxy.
• One party to a proxy marriage must be a member of the US armed forces on federal active duty or a resident of Montana at the time of the application.
• One party or a legal representative must appear before the clerk of the court and pay the marriage license fee.
• Residency must be determined in accordance with 1-1-215.

How to get a marriage license in Montana

• Apply in person to the clerk of the district court.
• Pay a fee of $53.
• Provide proof of divorce if either party has been married before.
• Present government-issued photo IDs.
• The license is valid for 180 days and must be returned within 30 days of the ceremony.
• There is no mandatory waiting period between receiving the license and the ceremony.

The officiant must be present at the ceremony

The officiant must be at least 18 years old and duly authorized to solemnize marriages. They must also be ordained by a religious organization. While ministers are generally not required to register in Montana, it is possible that the county clerk will ask for proof of ordination before allowing them to officiate. It is recommended to order any necessary materials well in advance of the wedding.

In addition to the officiant, there must be two adult witnesses present at the wedding. The couple must also express their consent to marry by saying "I do." The officiant must then make the "I pronounce you..." declaration.

Frequently asked questions