Who Can Officiate A Wedding In Utah?

If you're planning to get married in Utah, you'll need to know who can legally officiate your wedding. The good news is that Utah's marriage laws are relatively straightforward compared to other states, and there are no formal wording requirements for wedding ceremonies. Couples may customize their wedding ceremony as they wish as long as three requirements are met: both partners must consent to the marriage, the officiant must pronounce them married in the presence of at least two witnesses, and all relevant parties must be physically present for the entire wedding.

So, who can officiate a wedding in Utah? The state authorises several individuals to solemnize a marriage, including ministers, rabbis, priests, Utah county clerks, Native American spiritual advisors, the governor, mayors, Justice Court Judges, and more. These individuals are outlined in Utah Code 30-1-6. Importantly, ministers must be at least 18 years old and ordained by a religious organisation to perform a legally binding ceremony. While ministers are not required to register in the state, it is recommended that they keep records of their official ministry credentials, as proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

Who can be a wedding officiant in Utah?

Utah law allows for a variety of individuals to be authorised to solemnise weddings. The state's requirements for officiants are relatively straightforward, and there is no need to register with any government office. Here is what you need to know about becoming a wedding officiant in Utah.

Registration Requirements

Wedding officiants in Utah are not required to register with any government office before performing a marriage. The Utah State Government has no laws requiring officiant registration, and there is no dedicated office for the registration of wedding officiants. This means that once you are ordained, you can immediately perform weddings anywhere in Utah.

Ordination Requirements

To be a wedding officiant in Utah, you must be ordained by a religious organisation, such as the American Marriage Ministries or Universal Life Church. These organisations offer free online ordination, which gives you the legal authority to officiate weddings in Utah. There are no restrictions on a minister's beliefs, gender, or residence. However, you must be at least 18 years old to conduct a legally valid wedding ceremony in the state.

Documentation Requirements

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 from the religious organisation that ordained you.

County-Specific Requirements

It is important to note that requirements may vary from county to county. Therefore, it is recommended to contact the county clerk's office where the wedding will take place to inquire about any specific documents or requirements. Some counties may ask for several items to verify your ordination status, so it is best to be prepared in advance.

Finalising the Marriage

After performing the wedding, the officiant must complete and return the marriage license to the issuing office within 30 days. The officiant, newlyweds, and witnesses must all sign the marriage license. The officiant should write "Minister" as their title and "Religious" as the ceremony type. For the denomination, "Non-Denominational" can be used. The officiant should provide their personal ministry or home address instead of the address of the main offices of the religious organisation.

What are the requirements to become a wedding officiant in Utah?

To become a wedding officiant in Utah, you must be at least 18 years old and be an ordained minister. There are no restrictions on a minister's beliefs, gender, or residence. Utah law does not require wedding officiants to register with any government office, but you must be ordained by a religious organization to be designated as a "Minister".

To perform a wedding in Utah, you must be physically present in the state at the time of the solemnization and have the legal authority to officiate weddings. This includes individuals authorized by a religious denomination, certain public office holders (such as judges or mayors), or designees of the county clerk.

To obtain the legal authority to officiate weddings in Utah, you can get ordained online through organizations like the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries. These organizations offer free and straightforward online ordination processes that will give you the credentials to perform weddings.

Once you are ordained, it is a good idea to keep personal records of your official ministry credentials. You may be asked to show proof of your ordination status to county officials or the couple you are marrying. This can include documents such as your ordination certificate and letter of good standing.

After becoming ordained and obtaining the necessary credentials, you can begin the process of officiating weddings in Utah. You will need to contact the marriage licensing office of the county where the wedding will take place and inquire about any specific requirements and documents they may need from you.

In general, ministers are not required to register in the state of Utah. However, it is recommended to have all the official documents, like your ordination certificate, on hand to give the couple peace of mind.

Additionally, it is important to understand the rules surrounding marriage licenses in Utah and the specific requirements of the county where the wedding will take place. Marriage licenses in Utah are issued by the county clerk's office, and the couple must pick up the license in person. The license is typically valid for 30 days, and there is no waiting period between when it is picked up and when the ceremony can be legally performed.

Once you have ensured that all the necessary paperwork is in order, you can perform the wedding ceremony. After the ceremony, you, the couple, and their witnesses must sign the marriage license. Your official title will be "Minister", and for the ceremony type, you will put "Religious".

In summary, to become a wedding officiant in Utah, you must be at least 18 years old and be ordained by a religious organization. While registration with the government is not required, having the necessary credentials and understanding the legal requirements for marriages in Utah is essential.

What are the steps to officiate a wedding in Utah?

To officiate a wedding in Utah, you must be an ordained minister or a government official. Here are the steps to officiate a wedding in Utah:

• Become an Ordained Minister: To perform a marriage in Utah, you must be an ordained minister of a religious denomination or organization, such as American Marriage Ministries (AMM) or Universal Life Church (ULC). AMM offers a free and simple ordination process, and ULC has an easy and free online ordination process as well. Once ordained, you have the legal authority to officiate weddings in Utah.
• Officiant Registration: In Utah, wedding officiants are not required to register with any government office. However, it is recommended to keep personal records of your official ministry credentials, as proof of your ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.
• Prepare for the Ceremony: Familiarize yourself with the requirements and procedures for the wedding ceremony. This includes understanding the format, the different parts of the ceremony, and how to write and practice the wedding script. Resources are available to guide you through the process, such as AMM's Utah Wedding Officiant Preparation Guide.
• Acquire a Utah Marriage License: Contact the marriage licensing office of the county where the wedding will take place. Identify yourself as a minister and inquire about the required documents. The requirements may vary from county to county, so it is best to contact the officials beforehand. The couple must also obtain a marriage license from the county clerk's office, which is valid for 30 days and has no waiting period.
• Officiate the Wedding: On the wedding day, your legal role as the officiant is to officiate the ceremony and complete the Utah marriage license with the couple and any required witnesses. Ensure that the ceremony meets the legal requirements, including obtaining consent from both partners and pronouncing them legally married in the presence of at least two adult witnesses.
• Record the Wedding: After the wedding, make sure to fulfill any follow-up duties, such as returning the signed marriage license to the issuing office within the specified timeframe (usually 30 days). The minister, witnesses, and newlyweds must all sign the marriage license, and the minister must complete the final section, including their title, denomination, and personal ministry or home address.

What documents do wedding officiants need in Utah?

In Utah, marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk's office and are valid for 30 days. There is no waiting period between the time it is picked up and when the ceremony can be legally performed. Once the ceremony has been completed, the signed marriage license must be returned within 30 days.

While wedding officiants in Utah are not required to register with any government office prior to performing a marriage, they must be ordained ministers to be able to legally perform the marriage. Local regulations in Utah stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries.

The minister should check with the clerk's office in the county that issued the couple's marriage license to find out whether they should submit additional documents with the completed marriage license. Some counties require ministers to provide copies of ordination documents, such as the Classic Wedding Package.

Although it is the couple's job to pick up the license, the minister should have a complete understanding of the rules surrounding marriage licenses in Utah and its individual counties. The minister should double-check if there are any specific rules for getting married in the county in which the wedding will take place.

What are the rules for wedding licenses in Utah?

To obtain a marriage license in Utah, couples must follow specific rules and procedures. Here is a comprehensive overview of the rules for wedding licenses in Utah:

Application Process:

Couples must apply for a marriage license in person at any county clerk's office in Utah. Both applicants need to be present when submitting the application. The process is relatively straightforward, and there is no waiting period after obtaining the license to get married.

Required Documents:

To apply for a marriage license, couples need to provide the following documents:

• Full names, addresses, dates, and places of birth of both applicants.
• Social Security numbers, unless an applicant does not have one.
• Names and birthplaces of the parents of both applicants, including the mother's maiden name.
• Valid photo identification, such as a passport, birth certificate, driver's license, or state ID card.

Fees and Validity:

There is typically a fee for obtaining a marriage license, which varies by county and usually includes two certified copies of the license. The cost can range from $35 to $85. The license is generally valid for 30 days, and the wedding ceremony must take place within this timeframe.

Age Requirements:

In Utah, the minimum age to marry is 16 years, with parental or guardian consent. For minors, additional steps are required, such as petitioning a juvenile court for approval and meeting any imposed conditions. If either partner is under 18, the age difference between spouses cannot be more than seven years. Those who are 18 or older do not need parental consent.

Officiants and Witnesses:

The marriage ceremony must be solemnized by an authorized officiant, such as a minister, rabbi, priest, county clerk, Native American spiritual advisor, or specific government officials. Two witnesses over the age of 18 must also be present at the wedding ceremony.

Marriage Restrictions:

Utah law prohibits marriages between certain close relatives, such as first cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, parents, or children. However, first cousins may marry if both are over 65 or if both are over 55 and unable to reproduce.

Finalizing the Marriage:

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign a certificate of marriage and file it, along with the completed marriage license, with the county clerk who issued the license. This step must be completed within 30 days of the ceremony.

It is important to note that the specific rules and requirements may vary slightly between counties in Utah, so it is advisable to check with the county clerk's office where the license will be obtained for any unique regulations.

Frequently asked questions