Ship Captains Officiating Weddings: What's The Deal?

Getting married at sea is a romantic notion, but can ship captains actually officiate weddings? In the US, captains cannot perform marriages at sea (or on land) solely by virtue of their maritime licence. No US state has explicitly authorised ships' captains to officiate marriages, and the US Navy has stated that commanding officers are not permitted to perform weddings on board. However, if a captain is also a qualified officiant, such as a judge, justice of the peace, minister, or notary public, they may be able to legally solemnise a wedding. In some countries, like Japan, Bermuda, and Romania, captains can marry citizens at sea, but the couple must have valid passports. While it may be rare and complicated, it is possible for ship captains to officiate weddings under certain conditions.

Ship captains can't marry people by virtue of their maritime license alone

While a ship captain does have authority over their vessel, their power only extends so far. Ship captains cannot perform marriages at sea or on dry land by virtue of their maritime license alone. No state has enacted a statute explicitly authorising ships' captains to officiate marriages. However, if a captain also falls into one of the categories of "persons qualified to solemnise marriages" prescribed in the laws of the state they are in, then they are allowed to officiate weddings.

In the United States, the Navy has explicitly stated, "The commanding officer shall not perform a marriage ceremony on board his ship or aircraft." This is also true of the British Navy. Despite these rules, some people have gone ahead and gotten married by ship captains, and the courts have been inconsistent when ruling on the validity of these marriages. In one case, a court ruled that a particular marriage solemnised by a ship's captain was valid. In another case, a court ruled the opposite.

In some states, like California and Massachusetts, a skipper can come ashore and file for a 24-hour marriage-performing authorisation at their local courthouse. An outfit called the Universal Life Church claims that every state but Pennsylvania and Virginia will legally recognise marriages performed by one of its clergy members.

Japanese ships allow captains to perform marriage ceremonies at sea, but only if the couple has valid Japanese passports. Through Bermuda law, captains aboard Princess Cruise's Golden Princess, Star Princess, and the Grand Princess may perform weddings aboard ships and at sea.

Captains must be a judge, justice of the peace, minister, or recognised officiant to marry people

While a ship's captain is the highest authority on their vessel, their power only extends so far. In the United States, the Navy has explicitly stated that commanding officers are not permitted to perform marriage ceremonies on their ships or aircraft. This is also true for civilian captains, who cannot perform marriages at sea or on land by virtue of their maritime license alone. No US state has enacted a statute explicitly authorising ships' captains to officiate marriages.

For a captain to be able to officiate a wedding, they must fall into one of the categories of "persons qualified to solemnize marriages" prescribed in the laws of the state they are in. In most states, these include judges, ministers, mayors, and the like. For example, in Pennsylvania, qualified persons include active or retired justices, judges, or magisterial district judges of the Commonwealth, and ministers, priests, or rabbis of any regularly established church or congregation.

Therefore, for a ship's captain to be able to legally marry a couple, they must also hold a position that is recognised as having the authority to perform weddings, such as a judge, justice of the peace, minister, or recognised officiant. This is the case in some countries, such as Bermuda, where captains can perform weddings if they hold a Bermuda license to do so. Similarly, Japanese ships allow captains to perform weddings, but only if the couple has valid Japanese passports.

While some people have chosen to have their weddings performed by boat captains, the courts have been inconsistent in ruling on the validity of these marriages. In some cases, such as Fisher vs. Fisher, a court ruled that a marriage solemnised by a ship's captain was valid. In contrast, in the case of Norman vs. Norman, the court ruled that such a marriage was not valid.

So, while it is possible for a ship's captain to officiate a wedding in certain circumstances, it is not a right that comes with the position alone, and they must hold an additional qualification or position that is legally recognised for this purpose.

The validity of marriages performed by unqualified captains has been disputed in court

In the United States, every state has a list of persons qualified to solemnize marriages, which typically includes judges, ministers, mayors, and similar officials. However, no state has specifically included ship captains on this list. Despite this, some couples have chosen to be married by unqualified captains, and the courts have been inconsistent in their rulings on the validity of these marriages.

For example, in the case of Fisher vs. Fisher, a court ruled that a marriage performed by a ship's captain was valid, arguing that the exchange of vows between two consenting parties constituted a valid marriage in the absence of a statute stating otherwise. On the other hand, in the case of Norman vs. Norman, a court ruled against the validity of a marriage performed by an unqualified captain.

To avoid any legal disputes, it is advisable for couples planning a wedding at sea to ensure that the captain is qualified to perform marriages according to the laws of the state they are in. This could include being an active or retired justice, judge, minister, or officially recognized officiant such as a Notary Public.

Additionally, the validity of a marriage performed by a captain may depend on the nation where the ship is registered and the laws of that nation. A marriage performed by a captain of a ship registered in a country that allows captains to solemnize marriages will likely be presumed valid in the United States, as long as it conforms to the laws of that nation and does not take place within US territory.

Some cruise lines allow captains to officiate weddings while docked in port

While a ship's captain does not have the legal right to officiate a wedding at sea, some cruise lines allow captains to officiate weddings while docked in port. For instance, captains aboard Princess Cruise's Golden Princess, Star Princess, and the Grand Princess may perform weddings on the ship while docked in port. This is due to Bermuda law and the fact that most of the Princess captains have Bermuda licenses to perform weddings.

If you're considering a wedding at sea, it's important to note that captains cannot perform marriages by virtue of their maritime license alone. In the United States, no state has enacted a statute explicitly authorizing ships' captains to officiate marriages. However, if a captain also falls into one of the categories of "persons qualified to solemnize marriages" prescribed in the laws of the state they're in, they may be able to officiate.

For example, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, qualified persons include active or retired justices, judges, or magisterial district judges; active or senior judges or full-time magistrates of specific District Courts of the United States; active, retired, or senior bankruptcy judges who are residents of the Commonwealth; active, retired, or senior judges of the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit who are residents of the Commonwealth; mayors of any cities or boroughs of the Commonwealth; and ministers, priests, or rabbis of any regularly established church or congregation.

Additionally, some cruise lines may require that, once docked in port, the couple leaves the ship, swears before a judge that all paperwork is in order, and then returns to the ship for the ceremony. It's important to check with the specific cruise line and port to understand their requirements and ensure your wedding is legally recognized.

Captains of ships registered in nations that allow captains to solemnise marriages can do so outside of US territory

While a ship's captain does not have the legal right to officiate a wedding at sea, there are some exceptions. If the captain is also a judge, a justice of the peace, a minister, or an officially recognised officiant such as a Notary Public, they can officiate a wedding. Additionally, if the ship is registered in a nation that allows captains to solemnise marriages, they can do so outside of US territory.

In the case of the latter, a marriage performed by a captain of a ship registered in a nation that allows captains to solemnise marriages will be presumed valid in the United States, as long as it conforms to that nation's laws and does not take place within US territory. However, its validity could be challenged if it is alleged that the intent of performing the ceremony abroad was to circumvent laws that would have prevented the marriage from taking place in the US.

It is worth noting that the United States Navy has explicitly stated that commanding officers are not permitted to perform marriage ceremonies on board their ships or aircraft. Despite this, some people have chosen to have their weddings officiated by ship captains, and the courts have been inconsistent in ruling on the validity of these marriages.

Some nations that allow captains to perform weddings include Japan, Bermuda, and Romania, but the couple must have valid passports for the specific country. Additionally, Bermuda law allows captains with Bermuda licenses to perform weddings, and some cruise lines, such as Princess Cruise, offer wedding packages that include a captain-officiated ceremony.

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