Out-Of-State Wedding Officiants: Legal Or Not?

The requirements for wedding officiants vary from state to state. In some states, like Maryland, online ordinations are recognized, meaning that anyone can officiate a wedding as long as they are ordained online. However, other states, like Virginia, do not recognize officiants who are ordained through an online service, and require a county clerk, judge, religious minister, or professional officiant registered with the state to officiate weddings. Some states require officiants to register with a local government office before performing a marriage, while others do not have any laws requiring registration. It is important to note that the requirements for officiants may also vary within a state, depending on the county. Overall, it is the responsibility of the officiant to know the laws that regulate the state and county in which they are providing services.

Online ordination services

American Marriage Ministries

American Marriage Ministries (AMM) is a non-denominational church that offers free online ordination. AMM has ordained over 1.3 million ministers and is recognised in all US states and territories, except Virginia. AMM ministers can perform weddings for friends, family, and community, with no specific spiritual beliefs required. AMM also provides wedding officiant training and resources, such as customisable wedding scripts, quizzes, and training tools.

Universal Life Church

The Universal Life Church (ULC) is a non-denominational religious organisation with a global presence. ULC ordination is free, legal, and can be completed entirely online. ULC ordination grants ministers the ability to perform legal wedding ceremonies and start their own ministry. ULC provides training materials and a blog to support ministers in their duties.

Open Ministry

Open Ministry offers free online ordinations that are granted for life, with no monthly fees or dues, and are recognised nationwide in the US. Open Ministry provides tools and support for ministers to perform weddings and other ceremonies.

State-specific requirements

In Alabama, only a licensed minister of the gospel in regular communion with the Christian church or society of which he is a member may perform marriages. They must provide a certificate of marriage to the judge of probate within a month of the wedding.

In Alaska, ministers must be a priest, minister, or rabbi of any church or congregation in the state. They must provide marriage certificates to the newlyweds and report the marriage to the Marriage Commissioner.

In Arizona, any licensed or ordained clergyman may officiate weddings. They must record the marriage on the marriage license and return it to the clerk of the Superior Court within 20 days.

Arkansas requires any regularly ordained minister or priest of any religious sect or denomination to perform marriages. They must have their ordination credentials filed by the county clerk, who will then issue a certificate to the minister. The marriage license must be completed by the minister and returned to the county clerk within 60 days from the date the license was issued.

California allows any priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination who is 18 years or older to officiate weddings. Ministers must complete the marriage license and return it to the county clerk within four days after the wedding.

Colorado permits any minister to perform marriages. They must send a marriage certificate to the county clerk.

In Connecticut, all ordained or licensed clergymen belonging to this state or any other state may perform marriages as long as they continue in the work of the ministry. The marriage license must be completed by the minister and returned to the city or town clerk.

In Delaware, any ordained minister of the gospel and every minister in charge of a recognized church may perform marriages. Ministers do not need to be licensed, but they must report their name and address to the local registrar in the district in which they live. They must keep the marriage license or a copy for at least one year and complete and return forms to the clerk of the peace within four days.

For the District of Columbia, ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. The minister must complete a marriage certificate for the couple and return another certificate to the clerk of the District of Columbia Court of General Sessions within 10 days after the wedding.

Florida permits all regularly ordained ministers of the gospel in communion with some church to perform marriages. Ministers must complete a certificate of marriage on the marriage license and return it to the office from which it was issued.

In Georgia, any minister who is authorized by their church may perform marriages. They must complete a certificate of marriage and return it to the ordinary within 30 days after the wedding.

Hawaii allows any minister authorized by their church to officiate weddings.

County-specific requirements

Alabama

Any licensed minister of the gospel in regular communion with the Christian church or society of which he is a member may perform marriages. Marriages may also be performed by the pastor of any religious society according to its rules. Ministers must provide a certificate of marriage to the judge of probate within a month of the ceremony and can direct any questions to the clerk for the judge of probate.

Alaska

The minister, priest, or rabbi of any church or congregation in the state may officiate weddings. Ministers must provide marriage certificates to the newlyweds and report the marriage to the Marriage Commissioner. For any queries, they should contact the municipal clerk.

Arizona

Any licensed or ordained clergyman can perform marriages. Ministers must record the marriage on the marriage license and return it to the clerk of the Superior Court within 20 days of the ceremony. The clerk of the Superior Court can answer any questions.

Arkansas

Any regularly ordained minister or priest of any religious sect or denomination may officiate weddings. Ministers must have their ordination credentials filed by the county clerk, who will then issue a certificate. The marriage license must be completed and returned to the county clerk within

Registration and licensing

If you're planning to officiate a wedding in a state other than your own, you'll need to check the local regulations and complete any necessary registration requirements. While most states don't require officiants to register before performing a wedding, there are some exceptions. Here's a breakdown of the registration and licensing requirements for wedding officiants in different states:

• Alabama: Only a licensed minister of the gospel who is in regular communion with the Christian church or society they are a member of can perform marriages. They must provide a marriage certificate to the judge of probate within a month.
• Alaska: Ministers, priests, or rabbis of any church or congregation in the state can officiate. They must provide marriage certificates to the couple and report the marriage to the Marriage Commissioner.
• Arizona: Licensed or ordained clergymen may perform marriages and must record the marriage on the license, returning it to the clerk within 20 days.
• Arkansas: Regularly ordained ministers or priests of any religious sect can officiate. They must record their credentials with the county clerk and obtain a certificate before performing marriages. The marriage license must be returned to the clerk within 60 days.
• California: Priests, ministers, or rabbis over the age of 18 can officiate and must return the completed marriage license to the county clerk within 4 days.
• Colorado: Any minister can perform marriages and must send a marriage certificate to the county clerk.
• Connecticut: All ordained or licensed clergymen, regardless of their state of residence, can officiate as long as they continue in the work of the ministry. They must return the completed marriage license to the city or town clerk.
• Delaware: Ordained ministers of the gospel or ministers in charge of a recognized church can officiate without a license. They must report their name and address to the local registrar and keep the marriage license or a copy for at least a year. They also need to complete and return forms to the clerk of the peace within 4 days.
• District of Columbia: Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages and must return a marriage certificate to the clerk of the Court of General Sessions within 10 days.
• Florida: Regularly ordained ministers of the gospel in communion with a church can officiate. They must complete a marriage certificate and return it to the office that issued the license.
• Georgia: Any minister authorized by their church can perform marriages. They must complete and return a marriage certificate within 30 days.
• Hawaii: Ministers must obtain a license from the department of health and keep records of all marriages performed, reporting them to the department of health.
• Idaho: Priests or ministers of the gospel of any denomination can officiate. They must provide marriage certificates to the couple and return the completed license and certificate to the recorder within 30 days.
• Illinois: Ministers of the gospel in regular standing in their church or society can perform marriages. They must return the completed marriage license and certificate to the county clerk within 30 days.
• Indiana: Ministers of the gospel and priests of any church may officiate. They must return the marriage license and a marriage certificate to the clerk of the circuit court within 3 months.
• Iowa: Ministers of the gospel ordained by their church can perform marriages. They must provide a marriage certificate to the couple and report the marriage to the clerk of the district court within 15 days.
• Kansas: Any ordained clergyman of any religious denomination or society can officiate after filing their credentials with the judge of a probate court. They must return the marriage license and a marriage certificate to the probate judge within 10 days.

Legal recognition

The legal recognition of a wedding officiant varies depending on the state in the US and, in some cases, the county within the state. While some states have similar requirements, it is important to check the specific laws and regulations for the state and county in which the wedding will take place. Here is a state-by-state breakdown of the requirements for wedding officiants in the US:

Alabama

Any licensed minister of the gospel in regular communion with the Christian church or society of which he is a member may perform marriages. Marriages may also be performed by the pastor of any religious society according to its rules. Ministers must provide a certificate of marriage to the judge of probate within one month of the wedding and can direct any questions to the clerk

Frequently asked questions