Officiating Weddings: Can You Without Being Ordained?

In the US, the rules for officiating a wedding differ across states. In New York, for example, only ordained members of the clergy and certain government officials were permitted to solemnize a marriage until a new law came into effect on March 28, 2023. Now, New York residents over the age of 18 can apply for a one-day designation to perform marriage ceremonies. Previously, some couples discovered that they had never been legally married due to their officiant's lack of credentials. While getting ordained online is an option, marriages performed by such officiants are not legally recognized in some counties. To avoid any misunderstandings, it is essential to check the specific requirements of the state and county where the wedding will take place.

Online ordination is valid in all US states except Virginia

In the US, the laws regarding who can officiate a wedding vary from state to state. While some states require ministers to be part of a physical religious organization, others do not. Similarly, some states require ministers to have a physical presence in the state, while this is not a requirement in others.

Online Ordination

Online ordination has become an increasingly popular option for couples who want to add a personalized touch to their wedding ceremony. By getting ordained online, individuals can gain the legal authority to officiate weddings for their friends, family, and community.

Online Ordination in the US

Additionally, if you plan to officiate a wedding in a state other than your own, it is important to complete any necessary minister registration requirements. While most states do not have laws requiring registration, some states, such as New Hampshire and Vermont, require non-resident officiants to obtain a special license or register with the state.

Universal Life Church

One of the most popular ways to get ordained online is through the Universal Life Church (ULC), a non-denominational religious organization. ULC has ordained 20 million people since its founding in 1962, and becoming ordained is free and entirely online. However, it is important to note that marriages performed by ULC ministers may not be legally recognized in some states and counties, as the validity of ULC as a church is still debated in certain areas.

In New York, a one-day officiant law allows residents over 18 to perform marriages

The one-day officiant law is a welcome change for couples who want a loved one to officiate their wedding without having to become an ordained minister. The law also helps couples avoid misunderstandings regarding the validity of nontraditional ministers. In some counties, including the five counties of New York City, people can become ordained ministers online through platforms like Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries. However, marriages performed by these online-ordained officiants are not legally recognized in some other counties, including Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester.

To obtain the one-day officiant designation in New York, individuals must find a couple who wants them to marry them and ensure that the couple has their marriage license. The application process can be done by mail or by appointment at the Marriage Bureau in Lower Manhattan. The application requires a $25 fee and photocopies of proper identification. The Manhattan City Clerk's office is the only one in the five boroughs that processes one-day officiant applications. For those living outside of New York City, the application must be submitted to the clerk's office that processed the couple's marriage license.

It's important to note that the one-day officiant license is only valid for the wedding of the specified couple and expires upon the completion of the marriage solemnization or when the couple's license expires. The officiant is responsible for signing the marriage license and ensuring that the couple and witnesses sign in the correct places. The completed marriage license must be returned to the issuing City Clerk's office within five days of the wedding.

In New York City, officiants must register with the City Clerk's Office

In New York, officiants must register with the government before officiating weddings. The state of New York allows wedding ceremonies to be performed by both religious and civil actors, including government officials, judges, justices, clerks, town-appointed marriage officers, and ministers authorized by spiritual groups or ordained by churches. The officiant must be at least 18 years of age but is not restricted in terms of gender, faith, or place of residence.

The registration process with the City Clerk's Office typically takes 30-60 minutes for approval, provided there are no complications. Once approved, the officiant will have the authority to perform marriages in all five boroughs of New York City. It is important to note that each city and town in New York determines its own officiant registration requirements, and most cities and towns do not require officiant registration before performing marriages. Therefore, it is recommended to check with the local city or town clerk before performing a marriage in a particular jurisdiction.

Universal Life Church and American Marriage Ministries are online organisations that ordain officiants

Universal Life Church (ULC) is an American non-denominational religious organisation founded in 1962 by Kirby J. Hensley. It offers free legal ordination to become a minister to anyone who wishes to join, regardless of their background or beliefs. Atheists, Christians, Jews, Neopagans, Wiccans and people of many other faiths have been ordained by the ULC. The ULC has garnered global recognition for its promotion of universal togetherness and religious expression.

The ULC's popularity is partly due to a rising interest in having friends or loved ones officiate weddings. This trend has attracted celebrities to become ordained, including Stevie Nicks, Adele, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ian McKellen, Conan O'Brien, and Steven Tyler, to name a few.

The ULC website states:

> "Unlike traditional religious organizations, we don't require years of training or expensive courses to become a member of the clergy. Becoming ordained is free and can be done entirely online."

However, it is important to note that ULC ordinations are not recognised in all US states. While eight states have specifically held that marriages solemnised by ULC ministers are valid, four states expressly do not recognise them as wedding celebrants. In other jurisdictions, the validity of ULC-officiated marriages has not been addressed or remains unclear.

American Marriage Ministries (AMM) is another online organisation that legally ordains people so that they can officiate weddings for friends, family and community. AMM is a non-denominational, non-profit church that offers free online ordination, granting full legal authority to conduct marriage ceremonies across the US. AMM has ordained over 1,397,029 ministers across the US.

AMM's website states:

> "We believe that everyone has the right to marry and that it is the right of the couple to choose who solemnizes their marriage. Our mission is to guarantee you this right."

Officiants are responsible for completing legal paperwork after the ceremony

The requirements to officiate a wedding vary depending on the state and county. In some states, such as California, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island, individuals can become officiants for a day. In other states, only ordained members of the clergy and certain government officials are permitted to solemnize a marriage. For example, in New York, residents over the age of 18 can apply for a one-day designation to perform marriage ceremonies. However, marriages performed by online-ordained officiants may not be legally recognized in certain counties, including Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester.

Regardless of the state, the officiant is responsible for completing and filing the necessary legal paperwork after the wedding ceremony. Here are the steps that officiants should follow to ensure the marriage is legally recognized:

Obtaining a Marriage License:

Before the wedding, the couple must apply for a marriage license from the county clerk's office. The marriage license is an application for the issuance of the marriage certificate and typically has an expiration date, so it must be used within a certain time frame. The requirements for obtaining a marriage license vary by state and county, but generally, the couple will need to provide identification, such as a driver's license or passport, and may also need to present proof of residence, Social Security information, and a divorce decree if previously married. There is usually a fee associated with obtaining the marriage license.

Signing the Marriage License:

After the wedding ceremony, the marriage license must be signed by the wedding officiant and two witnesses who attended the wedding. It is important to ensure that all signatures are obtained before returning the license to the county clerk.

Returning the Marriage License:

The signed marriage license should be returned to the county clerk's office, either in person or by mail, within the specified deadline. The deadline for returning the license varies but is often within 10 days of the wedding ceremony.

Receiving the Marriage Certificate:

Once the marriage license has been returned and processed, the couple will receive the marriage certificate, which serves as proof of marriage for all legal purposes. The marriage certificate is typically mailed to the couple by the recorder's office. It is important to review the information on the marriage certificate for accuracy and to request additional certified copies if needed.

Updating Records:

The marriage certificate allows the couple to update their records with various government agencies and private organizations. This includes updating their Social Security cards, driver's licenses or state IDs, passports, bank accounts, voter registration, and insurance policies. Additionally, the couple may need to inform their creditors, employers, and health insurance providers of their change in marital status.

By following these steps, officiants can ensure that the marriage is legally recognized and that the couple has the necessary documentation to update their records. It is important to be diligent and timely in completing and returning the required paperwork to avoid any delays or complications in the future.

Frequently asked questions