Boat Captains: Can They Officiate Weddings?

Boat captains are often portrayed in movies and TV shows as having the authority to marry couples on their ships. However, in reality, this is not the case in most parts of the world. Generally, boat captains do not have the legal right to officiate weddings at sea or on dry land solely by virtue of their maritime license. In some countries, like Japan, Bermuda, and Romania, boat captains are given the authority to perform weddings, but only if they are marrying citizens of their own country. In the United States, for example, a boat captain must also fall into one of the categories of persons qualified to solemnize marriages as prescribed by state laws to be able to officiate a wedding.

Boat captains can't marry people by virtue of their maritime licence alone

Boat captains cannot marry people by virtue of their maritime licence alone. In fact, the United States Navy explicitly states that commanding officers are forbidden from performing marriage ceremonies on their ships or aircraft.

While boat captains can perform marriage ceremonies, they must also be qualified to do so according to the laws of the state they are in. For example, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, qualified persons include active or retired justices, judges, or magisterial district judges of the Commonwealth.

In the United States, it is relatively easy to become ordained and obtain the necessary certification to solemnize marriages. Some cruise lines even have individuals on board who are certified to perform weddings, in addition to the boat captain, to ensure the ceremony is legally binding.

There are a few exceptions to the rule. For example, in Japan, Bermuda, and Romania, sea captains are given the authority to marry couples as long as they are citizens of their respective countries and have valid passports.

Captains who are also judges, notaries, or recognised officiants can marry people

Boat captains do not have the authority to marry people by default. However, captains who are also judges, notaries, or recognised officiants can officiate weddings. In the United States, for example, captains must fall into one of the categories of "persons qualified to solemnize marriages" as prescribed by the laws of the state they are in. This includes active or retired justices, judges, or magisterial district judges, as well as active, senior, or retired bankruptcy judges and ministers, priests, or rabbis of any regularly established church or congregation.

In some countries, such as Japan, Bermuda, and Romania, sea captains are given the authority to officiate weddings for citizens of their country, as long as the couple has valid passports. Bermuda also allows captains of ships registered in the country to perform weddings.

It is important to note that the notion of sea captains being able to officiate weddings may have stemmed from historical contexts where sea captains had near-absolute authority over their vessels and could perform civil duties such as creating birth and death certificates and functioning as notaries for official documents.

Some captains get extra certification to marry couples

Boat captains do not have the authority to marry people by default. However, some captains choose to obtain additional certification to be able to officiate weddings. This is a great way to earn some extra money and attract more customers to their ship.

In the United States, for example, captains can easily become ordained through various organisations that offer this service online, sometimes even for free. This additional certification allows them to perform weddings that are legally binding.

In some cases, captains may simply officiate a wedding ceremony without the legal authority to sign off on the marriage. However, this could still result in a common-law marriage, depending on the location and the couple's living situation.

It is worth noting that, despite the common notion that sea captains can officiate weddings, they do not inherently possess this authority in most regions. The idea may have originated from the historical authority of sea captains, who once had the power to perform civil duties such as creating birth and death certificates and functioning as notaries for official documents.

Therefore, while boat captains generally cannot officiate weddings, some captains may obtain additional certification to marry couples, allowing them to offer this service to their customers.

In some places, captains can marry citizens of their own country

Boat captains do not have the authority to marry people by default. In most places, a captain must also be a judge, a justice of the peace, a minister, or an officially recognised officiant such as a Notary Public to officiate a wedding.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. In Japan, captains can perform marriage ceremonies at sea, but only if the couple has valid Japanese passports. A similar rule applies in Romania, where aircraft captains can officiate weddings for Romanian citizens. In Bermuda, captains can marry couples as long as the ship they're captaining is registered in Bermuda.

In the United States, there is no statute explicitly authorising ships' captains to officiate marriages. However, if a captain falls into one of the categories of "persons qualified to solemnise marriages" prescribed by the laws of the state they're in, they may officiate. For example, in Pennsylvania, active or retired justices, judges, or magisterial district judges of the Commonwealth are considered qualified to solemnise marriages.

It is worth noting that, despite the legal requirements, some people have chosen to have their weddings officiated by boat captains anyway, and the courts have been inconsistent in ruling on the validity of these marriages.

In some US states, captains can marry people without legal authority

Boat captains do not have the authority to marry people by default. In order for a boat captain to perform a marriage, they must also be a judge, a justice of the peace, a minister, or an officially recognised officiant such as a notary public.

However, this is not the case in Japan, Bermuda, and Romania, where sea captains are given the authority to marry couples as long as they are citizens of the country. In Bermuda, captains can perform weddings as long as the ship they are captaining is registered in Bermuda. Additionally, on some cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises, captains have Bermuda licenses to perform weddings, so they are able to officiate weddings on board.

In the United States, there is no statute explicitly authorising ships' captains to officiate marriages. However, if a captain falls into one of the categories of "persons qualified to solemnize marriages" prescribed in the laws of the state they are in, then they are able to officiate. For example, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, "persons qualified to solemnize marriages" include active or retired justices, judges, or magisterial district judges of the Commonwealth.

Despite the legal requirements, some people have chosen to have their weddings officiated by boat captains, and the courts have been inconsistent in ruling on the validity of these marriages. In some cases, such as Fisher vs. Fisher, the court ruled that a marriage solemnized by a ship's captain was valid. In contrast, in the case of Norman vs. Norman, the court ruled against the validity of a marriage performed by a ship's captain.

Therefore, while boat captains generally do not have the legal authority to officiate weddings, there are exceptions in certain countries and US states, and some couples have chosen to have their weddings officiated by captains regardless of their legal qualifications.

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