George Boyle
If you want to officiate a wedding in Utah, you'll need to become ordained as a minister. This can be done online through organizations like the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries, and it's free and quick to do. You don't need to register with any government office in Utah, but you may be asked to present proof of your ordination by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. Once ordained, you'll need to contact the marriage licensing office of the relevant county to understand the specific rules and requirements for the wedding you're officiating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Registration with a government office | Not required |
| Ordination | Required by a denomination or religious organization |
| Registration requirements | None |
| County Clerk Designee | Allowed to solemnize marriages |
| Marriage license | Valid for 30 days |
| Witnesses | Two, 18 years or older, not the officiator or the couple |
| Official title | Minister |
| Ceremony type | Religious |
| Denomination | Non-denominational |
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What You'll Learn
No registration is required
In Utah, wedding officiants are not required to register with any government office before performing a marriage. The Utah State Government has no laws requiring officiant registration or an office dedicated to officiant registration. However, you must be an ordained minister to be able to legally perform a marriage. Local regulations in Utah stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" be ordained by a religious organization, such as the American Marriage Ministries or Universal Life Church.
While you are not required to register, 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. You will need to contact the marriage licensing office of the county in which the wedding will take place and identify yourself as a minister. You may be asked to show several items to verify your ordination status. These requirements often vary from county to county, so it is best to contact officials beforehand.
Marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk's office. Although it is the couple's job to pick up the license, the minister should understand the rules surrounding marriage licenses in Utah and its individual counties. Marriage licenses are valid for 30 days, and there is no waiting period between the time it is picked up and when the ceremony can be legally performed. Once the ceremony is completed, the signed marriage license must be returned within 30 days.
After the wedding, you, the newlywed couple, and their witnesses must all sign the marriage license. Your official title will be "Minister"; for ceremony type, put "Religious", and for denomination, write "Non-Denominational". For the address, put your personal ministry or home address. Do not put the address of the main offices of the religious organization that ordained you. You will not be required to provide any sort of minister license number.
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Become ordained
In Utah, you must be ordained by a denomination to officiate a wedding. However, the county has no way of verifying this, so it operates on an honour system. You will need to be designated as a minister to officiate a wedding. This can be done through organisations such as the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries, which offer free and simple online ordination. Once ordained, you will be able to legally perform marriage ceremonies.
After becoming ordained, you should contact the marriage licensing office of the county in which the wedding will take place. Identify yourself as a minister and ask about the specific documents that will be required of you. These requirements vary from county to county, so it is best to do this step in advance. The minister should also have a complete understanding of the rules surrounding marriage licenses in Utah and its individual counties. For example, marriage licenses are valid for 30 days and there is no waiting period between the time it is picked up and when the ceremony can be legally performed.
After the ceremony has been completed, you, the newlywed couple, and their witnesses, must all sign the marriage license. Your official title will be "Minister"; for ceremony type, put "Religious", and for denomination, write "Non-Denominational". For the address, put your personal ministry or home address. Do not put the address of the organisation through which you got ordained. Lastly, remember that the signed license must be turned in to the marriage office before the deadline passes.
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Understand marriage licenses
Marriage licenses are a crucial aspect of officiating a wedding in Utah. Here's everything you need to know about marriage licenses in Utah:
Obtaining a Marriage License
To officiate a wedding in Utah, the couple must first obtain a marriage license from the county in which they plan to be married. Both applicants must appear at the County Clerk/Auditor's Office and complete the Marriage License Application. It is recommended to schedule an appointment and fill out the application online beforehand. The office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Requirements for the Application
When applying for a marriage license in Utah, both applicants must provide a government-issued photo ID with proof of age, such as a driver's license, passport, or identification card. They must also know their Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), if applicable. If either applicant is under the age of 18, they will need to provide their birth certificate. Additionally, premarital counseling may be required unless it is waived due to unavailability.
Special Circumstances
In the case of minors, additional consent is required. If the parents of the minor are divorced and have joint custody, the parent with physical custody for the majority of the time must provide consent through an oath or affirmation to the clerk. If the minor is not in the custody of a parent, the legal guardian must provide consent along with proof of guardianship through a court order and an oath of affirmation.
For first cousins wishing to marry, there are specific age requirements. If they are 65 years of age or older, they may marry without restriction. If they are between the ages of 55 and 64, a district court must determine that at least one person is incapable of reproduction for the marriage to be allowed.
Receiving the Marriage License
After submitting the application and meeting all the requirements, the couple will receive their official marriage license. This document serves as the legal record of their marriage and meets all the requirements for a "marriage certificate." It is important to note that the marriage license and certificate may be referred to interchangeably, with newer documents labeled as a "Marriage License Certificate."
Role of the Officiant
As the officiant, you will need to sign the marriage license along with the couple and witnesses. Once the ceremony is complete, you will mail the signed license to the county, and they will process it to finalize the couple's marriage. It is important to ensure that the marriage license is mailed promptly to confirm the legality of the marriage.
By understanding the process and requirements for obtaining a marriage license in Utah, you can ensure that the couple has completed all the necessary steps before the wedding ceremony. This helps to avoid any legal complications and ensures a smooth and memorable experience for the couple on their special day.
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Complete paperwork
In Utah, marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk's office. Although it is the couple's responsibility to obtain the license, the minister should be well-versed in the rules governing marriage licenses in Utah and its individual counties. For example, marriage licenses in Utah are valid for 30 days and there is no waiting period between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can be legally performed.
After the ceremony, the signed marriage license must be returned to the marriage licensing office of the county in which the wedding took place within 30 days. The couple, witnesses, and the officiant will all need to sign the license.
To officiate a wedding in Utah, you must be an ordained minister. While there are no officiant registration requirements in Utah, local regulations stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" be ordained by a religious organization, such as the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries.
To become ordained, you can visit the website of the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries. The ordination process is typically free, quick, and simple. Once ordained, you will need to contact the marriage licensing office of the relevant county and inquire about any specific documents they will need to see from you. These requirements may vary from county to county, so it is best to contact the officials beforehand.
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Prepare the ceremony
Once you have been ordained and are legally recognised to officiate a wedding in Utah, you can start preparing the ceremony.
First, you'll need to contact the marriage licensing office of the county in which the wedding will take place. Identify yourself as a minister and ask about any documents the officials will need to see from you. These requirements often vary from county to county, so it's best to contact officials beforehand. The couple will need a marriage license from the county they are being married in, and it's a good idea to double-check if there are any specific rules for that county. Marriage licenses in Utah are valid for 30 days, and there is no waiting period between the time it is picked up and when the ceremony can be legally performed. Once the ceremony is complete, the signed marriage license must be returned within 30 days.
There are many guides and scripts available online to help you prepare for the ceremony. You can find free ceremony scripts and guides on how to officiate a wedding on sites such as AMM and Universal Life Church. These guides cover all aspects of how to prepare for a wedding ceremony, including the format for a wedding ceremony, the names of the ceremony parts, and how to write a wedding ceremony. You can also find minister training on the Universal Life Church website, which can be a helpful refresher for more experienced ministers.
You should also ask the couple if they are happy with the script and if they are sharing their own vows.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you must be ordained by a denomination to officiate a wedding in Utah. You can get ordained online with the Universal Life Church, American Marriage Ministries, or other religious organizations.
No, the Utah State Government has no laws requiring officiant registration. However, you must keep personal records of your official Ministry Credentials as proof of your ordination.
You will need to contact the marriage licensing office of the county where the wedding will take place to inquire about the required documents. Typically, you will need to provide proof of your ordination status.
First, you must ensure that the couple has obtained a marriage license from the county clerk's office. Then, you will perform the wedding ceremony and ensure that all necessary documents are signed by the couple, witnesses, and yourself. Finally, you will return the signed marriage license to the county clerk's office within 30 days.
If you are becoming a County Clerk Designee specifically for the wedding, there is a fee of $20. Additionally, there may be costs associated with purchasing an Ordination Package and other required documentation.
