Minister Weddings: Legality Of Licensed Ministers In Michigan

If you're planning your wedding in Michigan, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to stunning locations. But what about the legal requirements? Michigan's marriage laws are relatively easy to understand, and there's no requirement for officiants to register with any government office. So, can someone be a licensed minister and perform weddings in Michigan? The short answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you must be an ordained minister to perform marriages legally. This includes online ordained ministers, and Michigan grants the power to solemnize weddings to several persons, including mayors, judges, magistrates, ministers, clerks, and certain religious practitioners. Secondly, local regulations require wedding officiants under the designation of Minister to be ordained by a religious organization. Finally, while not mandatory, it's recommended to keep records of your official Ministry Credentials as proof of your ordination.

Michigan Compiled Laws § 551.7 specifies who can solemnize a marriage

• A judge of the district court, anywhere in the state
• A district court magistrate, anywhere in the state
• A municipal judge, in the city in which the judge is serving or in a township over which a municipal court has jurisdiction
• 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 the clerk serves, 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 or religious practitioner 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 or religious practitioner is not a resident of the state but is authorized to solemnize marriages under the laws of the state in which they reside

It is important to note that while Michigan Compiled Laws § 551.7 specifies who can solemnize a marriage, there are no laws, offices, or procedures requiring officiants to register with any government office. However, local regulations in Michigan stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" must be ordained by a religious organization.

No officiant registration is required

However, Michigan Compiled Laws § 551.7 specifies who can solemnize a marriage. This includes all ministers, including online ordained ministers of American Marriage Ministries. While registration is not required, 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.

Although registration is not required, 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. This proof can be in the form of an Ordination Credential and Letter of Good Standing.

To get ordained, you can check out organizations such as the Universal Life Church, Open Ministry, or American Marriage Ministries. The process is typically free and can be completed in a day. Once ordained, you can perform weddings anywhere in Michigan.

You must be ordained to perform a wedding

In Michigan, you must be ordained to perform a wedding. The state has no requirements for officiant registration, but local regulations require wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" to be ordained by a religious organization.

Ordination

To perform a wedding in Michigan, you must be ordained by a religious organization. This can be done online through organizations like American Marriage Ministries or Open Ministry. Universal Life Church also offers online ordination and is recognized in Michigan.

Documentation

Once ordained, you must obtain physical copies of your ordination credentials. These typically include a Letter of Good Standing and/or Ordination Credential. These documents may need to be presented to the local county clerk and can serve as proof of your ability to officiate a wedding in Michigan.

Registration

While ordination is required to perform a wedding in Michigan, officiant registration is not. This means that officiants are not required to register with any Michigan government office before performing a marriage.

Other Requirements

In addition to having an ordained officiant, a legal marriage in Michigan requires a valid marriage license. The couple must obtain this license from the county clerk and deliver it to the officiant before the wedding. The marriage license must then be signed by the officiant, the couple, and two witnesses who are 18 or older. The completed license must be returned to the issuing county clerk within 10 days of the wedding.

A letter of good standing and ordination credentials must be presented to the county clerk

In Michigan, a letter of good standing and ordination credentials must be presented to the county clerk before a minister can officiate a wedding. This is because, while Michigan law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office, local regulations in the state stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" must be ordained by a religious organisation.

To be able to perform weddings in Michigan, ministers must be able to prove their ordination. This is typically done by providing a letter of good standing and ordination credentials. This proof of ordination is essential in the event that the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue request to see evidence of the minister's credentials.

The letter of good standing is a physical copy of the minister's standing with their ministry. It is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarised. Ordination credentials are also required, and these can be obtained from the minister's religious organisation.

It is important to note that Michigan grants the power to solemnise a wedding to several persons, including mayors, judges, magistrates, ministers, clerks, and certain religious practitioners. Ministers who have received their ordination credentials through the Universal Life Church also have the power to perform weddings, regardless of their gender, personal beliefs, or residence.

The marriage certificate must be completed and returned to the county clerk

In Michigan, the marriage certificate must be completed and returned to the county clerk within 10 days of the wedding ceremony. This is a requirement under Michigan law.

The officiant must complete and return the original marriage certificate to the county clerk who issued the marriage license. The newlyweds should receive a copy of both the marriage license and certificate. The officiant must also keep a record of all the marriages they perform in case there is ever a dispute over a union.

To complete the marriage certificate, the officiant must fill in the names and places of residence of each witness, the official time and place of the marriage, and the names, titles, and signatures of both members of the couple. All information must be either legibly printed or typewritten.

Before the wedding ceremony, the officiant must present their letter of good standing and ordination credentials to the county clerk. Ministers of the Universal Life Church can order the Classic Wedding Package, which includes all the necessary documentation.

Frequently asked questions