Your Friend: Your Washington Wedding Official

If you're getting married in Washington and want a friend to officiate, they can do so by becoming ordained online through organizations like The Provenance Center, American Marriage Ministries, or Universal Life Church. There are no requirements regarding the officiant's residency, faith, or gender, but they must be 18 or older. Washington Law does not require officiants to register with any government office, but they must be ordained by a religious organization. The officiant will also need to fill out and sign the marriage license, which is their legal duty.

Who can officiate a wedding in Washington?

Washington Law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office. However, Washington Law does specify who can solemnize a marriage. This includes:

• All ministers, including online ordained ministers of American Marriage Ministries.
• Judges and retired judges.
• Court clerks and deputy clerks.
• Authorized persons of any religious denomination who are given the authority to solemnize marriages.

To officiate a wedding in Washington, individuals must be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries. While there is no requirement to register with a government office, it is a good idea to keep personal records of official ministry credentials. Proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

In addition, individuals must be at least 18 years old to officiate a wedding in Washington.

Online ordination

Online ordination is a quick and easy way to become a wedding officiant in Washington. The Provenance Center, for example, offers a free online ordination process that can be completed in just a few minutes. After becoming ordained, individuals should familiarize themselves with Washington's marriage laws and obtain the necessary documentation, such as their ordination certificate.

Legal requirements

Washington requires that all weddings be attended by the marrying couple, the officiant, and two witnesses who are at least 18 years of age. The state does not allow for marriage by proxy, so all participants must be physically present at the ceremony.

During the ceremony, the couple must express their consent to marry, and the officiating minister must pronounce the couple as legally wed before ending the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the officiant must ensure that the marriage license is signed by the couple, the witnesses, and themselves. The marriage license must then be returned to the county clerk's office within 60 days to avoid any fines.

How to become an officiant in Washington

In Washington, there are no requirements for officiants to register with any government office. However, to be able to legally perform a marriage, one must be an ordained minister. This can be done online through organizations such as the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries. The process is typically fast, free, and simple.

Once ordained, it is important to keep records of your ministry credentials as proof of your ordination. This may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. Your official ministry credentials can be obtained through an ordination package, which includes your ordination certificate and a letter of good standing.

As an officiant, your main duties on the wedding day are to conduct the wedding ceremony and complete the marriage license. It is your responsibility to ensure the marriage license is valid and to fill it out with the couple and any required witnesses. The completed marriage license must then be returned to the County Auditor.

It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the guidelines for handling and returning the marriage license, as well as the specific requirements of the county where the wedding will take place.

What are the officiant's duties?

If your friend wants to officiate your wedding in Washington State, they are in luck! Washington Law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office. However, your friend must be an ordained minister to be able to legally perform the marriage.

Now, onto the duties of the officiant. The officiant is an essential person at a wedding—after all, they make the marriage official. Here is a list of their duties:

Before the Wedding Day

The officiant should ensure that the couple has filed for a marriage license with the state or county before the wedding. A wedding will not be legitimate without a marriage license, so the officiant should remind the couple not to get the license too far in advance so that the certificate doesn't expire. The officiant should also meet with the couple to discuss how the ceremony will flow, including the tone, type of readings, and whether the couple wants the ceremony to be funny or heartfelt. The officiant is in charge of creating a program that reflects the couple's desires and expectations for their special day.

The Day Before the Wedding

The officiant should lead the wedding party at the ceremony rehearsal. The bridesmaids, groomsmen, best man, maid of honor, and any children taking part all have roles to play during the ceremony, and the rehearsal is the perfect time to gather everyone together. The officiant should brief the wedding party on when to walk down the aisle, where everyone should stand, and at what point they will be called up for their part.

The Wedding Day

The officiant should perform the wedding ceremony, ensuring that two key elements are included to make the marriage binding and legal. The first is the declaration of intent, when the officiant asks: "Do you take...??". The second is the declaration or pronouncement of the couple as married. After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and turn in the completed marriage license to the city or county clerk promptly so that there is no risk of the license expiring.

After the Wedding

The officiant has an important role in reducing stress for the couple and the wedding party. They should be prepared to offer reassurance, a pat on the back, or a bottle of water when things get a little overwhelming. The officiant should also explain and define the flow of the ceremony, adding requests if necessary, and giving the couple a sense of the timing and space for the event.

What are the requirements for a valid marriage license?

To obtain a valid marriage license in Washington state, both applicants must meet several requirements. These include:

• Providing valid government-issued photo ID as proof of age and identity.
• Both applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Neither applicant can be nearer in kin to each other than second cousins, whole or half blood.
• Both applicants must be unmarried. While proof of divorce or death of a previous spouse is not required, it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the final decree of divorce is filed before applying for a new marriage license.
• The applicants must pay a fee, which varies depending on the county but is typically around $60-$70.
• Both applicants must provide their Social Security Numbers. If one applicant does not have a Social Security Number, they must sign a declaration stating this.

In addition, there are several requirements that must be met for the marriage ceremony to be valid. These include:

• The marriage ceremony must take place within 60 days of receiving the marriage license.
• The marriage license must be presented to the officiant before the ceremony.
• The marriage license must be confirmed as valid by the officiant.
• The marriage license must be completed and signed by the officiant and two witnesses.
• The marriage license must be returned to the County Auditor within 30 days of the ceremony.

What happens after the ceremony?

If your friend is officiating your wedding in Washington State, they will have two main duties on the wedding day: conducting the wedding ceremony and completing the marriage license. The latter is their legal duty.

Once the ceremony is complete, the couple, the officiant, and two witnesses must sign the Certificate of Marriage. The officiant then has 30 days from the date of the ceremony to return the Certificate of Marriage to the relevant County Auditor. It is the responsibility of the couple to ensure that the completed marriage license is returned before its expiration date (60 days after issuance).

After the wedding ceremony, you can check if your certificate has been processed and recorded by searching online records. If your record shows a "Marriage Certificate" document type, then you can request certified copies. Each copy costs $3.

Other post-wedding actions:

• If you or your new spouse want to change your surname, take a certified copy of your marriage certificate to the relevant organisations, such as the Washington State Driver's License/Identification Card, Social Security, Voter Registration, and U.S. Passport.
• Record the wedding with the AMM Wedding Helper and share your wedding on the AMM Wedding Wall.

Frequently asked questions