How To Officiate A Michigan Wedding Legally

If you're planning a wedding in Michigan, you'll want to make sure you're across the local laws and requirements. Michigan Compiled Laws on Marriage (Chapter 551) outline the requirements for a legal marriage in the state, and it's important to understand these before planning your nuptials. One of the most important aspects is finding an officiant who is authorised to solemnise your marriage. So, who can legally officiate a wedding in Michigan?

Michigan Compiled Laws § 551.7 specifies who can officiate a marriage

• A judge of the district court, anywhere in the state of Michigan.
• 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 a municipal court.
• 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 they serve or in another county with written authorization from the other county's clerk.
• 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 the minister or cleric is ordained or authorized to solemnize marriages according to the usages of their denomination.
• A minister of the gospel or cleric or religious practitioner, anywhere in the state, if the minister or cleric is not a resident of Michigan but is authorized to solemnize marriages under the laws of the state in which they reside.

It is important to note that while Michigan law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office, local regulations stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" must be ordained by a religious organization. Additionally, ministers who perform marriage ceremonies must keep a record of all the marriages they preside over, as required by Michigan law.

You must be an ordained minister to legally perform a marriage in Michigan

If you're planning to officiate a wedding in Michigan, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, it's important to understand that Michigan law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office. This means that once you are ordained, you have the legal ability to officiate weddings anywhere in the state.

However, it is crucial to note that you must be an ordained minister to legally perform a marriage in Michigan. Local regulations stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" must be ordained by a religious organization. So, if you're planning to officiate a wedding, make sure you get ordained by a recognized religious organization.

To get ordained, you can reach out to organizations such as the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries. The process is typically simple, free, and can often be completed in a short amount of time. Once you are ordained, it is a good idea to keep records of your official ministry credentials, as you may be asked to provide proof of your ordination to the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

In addition to having the proper credentials, there are a few other things to keep in mind when officiating a wedding in Michigan. Firstly, make sure that the couple has obtained a marriage license from the county clerk in the county where they reside. This license must be delivered to the officiant before the ceremony and returned to the issuing county clerk within a certain timeframe after the wedding, which is typically around 10 days.

Additionally, Michigan law requires that the couple makes a solemn declaration of their intention to take each other as spouses in the presence of the officiant and at least two witnesses who are at least 18 years old. The officiant then makes a pronouncement solemnizing the marriage. There are no other state-mandated requirements for the ceremony, so the couple can choose to have a religious or civil ceremony that aligns with their preferences.

There are no laws requiring officiant registration

Officiating a Wedding in Michigan

No Officiant Registration Required

If you're planning to officiate a wedding in Michigan, it's important to understand the local laws and requirements. Fortunately, Michigan has relatively straightforward marriage laws, and there are no specific laws requiring officiants to register with any government office. Here's what you need to know:

No Registration Requirement

In Michigan, there is no legal requirement for wedding officiants to register with any government office before performing a marriage. This means that as long as you meet the other requirements to solemnize a wedding, you can officiate without any additional registration or paperwork.

Who Can Solemnize a Marriage?

According to Michigan Compiled Laws § 551.7, several categories of individuals are authorized to solemnize marriages in Michigan. These include:

• Judges and magistrates
• Mayors
• County clerks
• Ministers of the gospel or clerics
• Certain religious practitioners

Requirements for Ministers

While registration is not required, there are some important considerations for ministers who wish to officiate weddings in Michigan. Firstly, ministers must be ordained by a religious organization, such as the American Marriage Ministries. Additionally, it is recommended to keep personal records of your official ministry credentials, as proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

Other Considerations

In addition to the legal requirements, there are a few other things to keep in mind when officiating a wedding in Michigan. Firstly, the state requires a three-day waiting period between the application for a marriage license and when it can be issued, although this can be waived in certain circumstances. Secondly, the marriage license must be returned to the issuing county clerk within 10 days of the completion of the marriage. Finally, Michigan has specific laws regarding the minimum age of marriage and prohibited relationships, so be sure to familiarize yourself with these laws before officiating any weddings.

You must be at least 18 years old to officiate a wedding in Michigan

If you're planning to officiate a wedding in Michigan, there are a few things you need to know and some requirements you must meet. One of the most important requirements is that you must be at least 18 years old to officiate a wedding in the state of Michigan. This is the same age requirement for couples looking to get married in Michigan, without the consent of a parent or guardian.

In Michigan, several types of individuals are granted the authority to solemnize weddings, including mayors, judges, magistrates, ministers, clerks, and certain religious practitioners. This means that if you are 18 years of age or older and fall into one of these categories, you are eligible to officiate a wedding.

It's important to note that if you received your ordination credentials through an organization like the Universal Life Church, you are also authorized to perform weddings in Michigan, regardless of your gender, personal beliefs, or residence. However, it is recommended that you present your letters of good standing and ordination credentials to the county clerk before the wedding ceremony.

Additionally, Michigan does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office prior to performing a marriage. This means that once you have met the age requirement and obtained the necessary credentials, you are legally able to officiate weddings anywhere in the state.

So, if you're 18 or older and have the proper credentials, you're well on your way to officiating a wedding in Michigan!

You must keep records of your official Ministry Credentials

In Michigan, while there are no officiant registration requirements, you must be an ordained minister to be able to legally perform a marriage. Local regulations in Michigan stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries.

It is not required to register with any Michigan government office as a wedding officiant. However, it is a good idea to keep personal records of your official Ministry Credentials. Proof of your ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

Your official Ministry Credentials will include your Ordination Certificate and Letter of Good Standing. The Letter of Good Standing is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarized. You may also receive an AMM Minister's Manual, which is a valuable resource for officiant training information.

You can receive your official ministry credentials by ordering your Michigan Minister Ordination Package. Part of the proceeds from your order will go towards charitable activities.

Frequently asked questions