Who Can Officiate Weddings In Michigan?

If you're planning your wedding in Michigan, you might be wondering who can legally officiate the ceremony. The good news is that Michigan grants the power to solemnize a wedding to several persons, including mayors, judges, magistrates, ministers, clerks, and certain religious practitioners. This means that you have a variety of options to choose from when selecting your wedding officiant.

It's important to note that Michigan law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office. However, local regulations stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of Minister must be ordained by a religious organization. Additionally, the minimum age to officiate a wedding in Michigan is 18 years old.

So, when it comes to who can officiate your wedding in Michigan, you have a range of choices, as long as they meet the legal requirements.

Who can officiate a wedding in Michigan?

In Michigan, weddings can be officiated by certain elected and appointed government officials, and "ministers of the gospel" or other religious practitioners. This includes mayors, judges, magistrates, ministers, clerks, and certain religious practitioners.

Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 551, Section 551.7 states that marriages may be solemnized by:

• A judge of the district court, anywhere in the state.
• A district court magistrate, anywhere in the state.
• A municipal judge, in the city in which the judge is serving or in a township with jurisdiction under the revised judicature act of 1961.
• A judge of probate, anywhere in the state.
• A judge of a federal court.
• A mayor of a city, anywhere in a county in which that city is located.
• A county clerk in the county in which the clerk serves, or in another county with written authorization.
• For a county with more than 1,500,000 inhabitants, an employee of the county clerk's office designated by the county clerk, in the county in which the clerk serves.
• A minister of the gospel or cleric or religious practitioner, anywhere in the state, if ordained or authorized to solemnize marriages according to the usages of the denomination.
• A minister of the gospel or cleric or religious practitioner, anywhere in the state, if not a resident of Michigan but authorized to solemnize marriages under the laws of their state of residence.

In addition, 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.

It is important to note that Michigan law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office. However, local regulations stipulate that wedding officiants designated as "Minister" must be ordained by a religious organization. It is also 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.

Do officiants need to register with the government?

In Michigan, wedding officiants are not required to register with any government office. However, they must be ordained ministers to be able to legally perform marriages. Local regulations in Michigan stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" be ordained by a religious organization.

While registration is not mandatory, 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 typically includes an Ordination Certificate and a Letter of Good Standing. The Letter of Good Standing should be signed by a church officer, dated, and notarized.

Additionally, ministers must be at least 18 years old to officiate a wedding in Michigan. They are required to present their ordination credentials and Letter of Good Standing to the county clerk before the ceremony.

What documents do officiants need?

In Michigan, there are no requirements for officiants to register with any government office before performing a marriage. However, Michigan Compiled Laws § 551.7 specifies who can solemnize a marriage, and this includes all ministers, including online ordained ministers.

To be able to legally perform a marriage in Michigan, officiants must be ordained by a religious organization, such as the American Marriage Ministries. It is also important to keep personal records of official Ministry Credentials, as proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. This proof of ordination can be obtained through an Ordination Package, which includes an Ordination Certificate and a Letter of Good Standing.

The Letter of Good Standing is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarized. The Ordination Package also includes the AMM Minister's Manual, which provides valuable resources and information for officiant training. Obtaining these documents is also beneficial as part of the proceeds from the purchase of the Ordination Package goes towards charitable activities.

In addition to the Ordination Package, the following documents are required for officiants in Michigan:

• A written application
• Birth certificate
• Driver's license or state-issued ID

It is also important to note that Michigan marriage licenses are valid for 33 days in the county they are issued, and there is a mandatory three-day waiting period between the date of the application and when the license can be issued. Officiants must present their letters of good standing and ordination credentials to the county clerk before the ceremony.

What is the minimum age to officiate a wedding?

In Michigan, a person must be at least 18 years old to officiate a wedding. This is the same age at which a person can legally marry without a parent or guardian's consent. Michigan grants the power to solemnize a wedding to several persons, including mayors, judges, magistrates, ministers, clerks, and certain religious practitioners.

Individuals who received their ordination credentials through the Universal Life Church also have the power to perform weddings, regardless of their gender, personal beliefs, or residence. However, ministers must produce letters of good standing and their ordination credentials to the county clerk before the ceremony.

What is the cost of a marriage license?

The cost of a marriage license in Michigan is $20 for state residents and $30 for out-of-state residents. However, there are additional fees that may apply in some counties. For example, in Kalamazoo County, there is a $15 waiver fee to bypass the standard three-day waiting period for receiving a marriage license. In Ingham County, there is a $100 fee to waive the three-day waiting period.

To apply for a marriage license in Michigan, couples must submit a written application, their birth certificates, and their licenses (or another form of ID) to the county clerk. The parties must swear an oath that all the information contained in the application is accurate. If one or both parties is a minor, the parents or guardians must deliver by person or via a notarized affidavit consent for the marriage. In some counties, a previously married person must provide proof of divorce. However, it is illegal for courts to demand blood tests to disprove kinship.

The marriage license is valid for 33 days in the county in which it was issued. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some counties are allowing couples to apply through the mail or online.

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