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F.A.Q.'S & The Law...
The laws section has been updated to provide not only the laws of
solemnization of marriages, but also includes the regulations of your
State pertaining to marriage authority, and requirements of the couples
and filings of documents. The laws section includes the authority of
ministers to provide Counseling and Healing regulations for each State.
If you do not find all the new information for your State, please be
patient as this is still in progress.
We feel that it is very important that you know all the regulations of
marriage, unions, Counseling, and Healing. Many States do not allow the
usage of titles not specific to religion (i.e. Officiant) unless you
are State appointed to the position.
Always check with your local and state laws for current information. If
you have questions that are not answered in the State law you may
contact us for additional help. The Counseling/healing sections are the
complete exemptions of religious leaders for each State. If you do not
find clergy exemption to certain laws it is due to the fact that clergy
are not allowed without State licensure
General Marriage
Laws plus...
NOTE: For registration
purposes, it doesn't matter what state you reside in. It only matters
in what state the wedding will take place. Please only request a letter
for a state that requires registration. If you are unsure, call the
county clerk in the state where the wedding will happen and ask if you
need to register. If you do, you'll need a letter of good standing. If
they don't know what you're talking about, then you don't need to
register. At the bottom of this page, there is a list of states
that require action on your part.
Certain states require additional documentation and the Church is aware
of the requirements for each state and will provide the appropriate
documentation. Send your request for the Letter of Good Standing to
Spirit Filled Believers Church or you can e-mail to paulaspastoralservices@yahoo.com
and state your name, address and the state where the wedding will take
place.
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. Also, marriages may be performed by the pastor of any
religious society according to the rules of the religious society. ---
Ministers must provide a certificate of the marriage to the judge of
probate within one month after the marriage. --- For questions see the
clerk for the judge of probate.
ALASKA
The minister, priest or rabbi of any church or congregation in the
state may perform marriages. --- Ministers must provide marriage
certificates to the couple married and report the marriage to the
Marriage Commissioner.
ARIZONA
Any licensed or ordained clergyman may perform marriages. --- Ministers
must record the marriage on the marriage license and return it to the
clerk of the Superior Court within 20 days after the marriage. - -- For
questions see the clerk of the Superior Court.
ARKANSAS
Any regularly ordained minister or priest of any religious sect or
denomination may perform marriages. --- Ministers 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. --- For questions see the county clerk.
CALIFORNIA
Any priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination, of the
age of 18 years or over may perform marriages. --- Ministers must
complete the marriage license and return it to the county clerk within
10 days after the ceremony. --- For questions see the county clerk.
California requires no registration. Just be ordained and do the
wedding.
COLORADO
Marriages may be performed by any minister. --- Ministers must send a
marriage certificate to the county clerk. --- For questions see the
county clerk.
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. -- -Marriage license must be completed by the minister and
returned to the city or town clerk. -- For questions see the city or
town clerk.
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 to perform marriages but they must report their name and
address to the local registrar in the district in which they live. ---
Ministers must keep the marriage license or a copy for at least one
year. Also, the minister must, within 4 days, complete and return forms
required by the State Board of Health to the clerk of the peace. ---
For questions see the clerk of the peace.
FLORIDA
All regularly ordained ministers of the gospel in communion with some
church may perform marriages. --- Ministers must complete a certificate
of marriage on the marriage license and return it to the office from
which it was issued. --- For questions see the county clerk.
GEORGIA
Any minister who is authorized by his or her church may perform
marriages. ---Ministers must complete a certificate of marriage and
return it to the ordinary within 30 days after the marriage. --- For
questions see the ordinary's clerk at the county courthouse.
HAWAII
Any minister may perform marriages if they are authorized by their
church to do so. Ministers must obtain a license from the department of
health before performing marriages. -Ministers must keep a record of
all marriages they perform. Ministers must report all marriages they
perform to the department of health. ---For questions see the
department of health. You will need a letter of good standing for this
state.
IDAHO
Marriages may be performed by priests or ministers of the gospel of any
denomination. Ministers must give a marriage certificate to the bride
and to the groom. Also, the minister must complete the license and
marriage certificate and return it to the recorder who issued it within
30 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the county recorder.
ILLINOIS
Marriages may be performed by ministers of the gospel in regular
standing in the church or society to which they belong. --- The
marriage license and certificate must be completed by the minister and
returned to the county clerk within 30 days after the marriage. --- For
questions see the county clerk.
INDIANA
Ministers of the gospel and priests of every church throughout the
state may perform marriages. ---Ministers must return the marriage
license and a certificate of marriage to the clerk of the circuit court
within 3 months after the marriage. ---For questions see the clerk of
the circuit court.
IOWA
Ministers of the gospel who are ordained by their church may perform
marriages. --- Minister must give a certificate of marriage to the
bride and to the groom. Also, the minister must report the marriage to
the clerk of the district court within 15 days after the marriage. -For
questions see the clerk of the district court.
KANSAS
Any ordained clergyman of any religious denomination or society may
perform marriages. --Ministers are required to file credentials or
ordination with the judge of a probate court before performing
marriages. --- Minister must return the marriage license and a
certificate of marriage to the probate judge who issued the marriage
license within 10 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the
clerk of the probate court.
KENTUCKY
Marriages may be performed by any minister of the gospel or priests of
any denomination with any religious society. --- Ministers must be
licensed before performing marriages. See the local county clerk for a
license. --- Ministers must return the marriage license and marriage
certificate to the county clerk within 3 months after the marriage. ---
It is illegal to solicit marriages. --- For questions see the county
clerk.
LOUISIANA
Ministers of the gospel or priests of any denomination in regular
communion with any religious society may perform marriages. ---
Ministers must register with the clerk of the district court of the
parish or with the health department if in New Orleans. --- After
performing a marriage, the minister must complete a marriage
certificate and return it to the clerk of the district court. --- For
questions see the clerk of the district court.
MAINE
Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. --- We were
informed that there is no requirement for ministers in this state. For
questions see the town clerk.
MARYLAND
Any minister of the gospel authorized by the rules and customs of their
church may perform marriages. --- Minister must complete the marriage
license and marriage certificate and give one certificate to the
couple. Another certificate and the license must be returned to the
clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within five days after themarriage.
--- For questions see the clerk of the Court of Common Pleas.
MASSACHUSETTS
Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. --- Before performing marriages, ministers are required to apply for a certificate from the state. For applications write to The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the Secretary, Supervisor, Commissions Division, State House, Boston, Massachusetts 02133. You must file a copy of your ordination certificate and a statement from the church saying
that you are in good standing. Please let us know well in advance if you need a statement from us. --- Ministers must keep records of all marriages they perform. Also, ministers must return a certificate of the marriage to the town clerk or registrar who issued the marriage license and to the town clerk of the town where the marriage was performed. --- For questions see the town clerk or registrar or write to the Secretary of State.
MICHIGAN
A minister of the gospel who is ordained or authorized by his or her church to perform marriages and who is a pastor of a church in this state, or continues to preach the gospel in this state may perform marriages. --- Ministers must complete a marriage certificate and give one to the couple. Another marriage certificate must be returned to the county clerk who issued the license within 10 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the county clerk.
MINNESOTA
Any licensed or ordained minister of the gospel in regular communion with a religious society may perform marriages. --- Ministers must file a copy of a letter of good standing with the clerk of the district court of any county. --- Ministers must give a marriage certificate to the bride and groom and also file a certificate with the clerk of the district court in the county, which issued the marriage license. --- For questions see the clerk of the district court.
MISSISSIPPI
Any ordained minister of the gospel who is in good standing with his or her church may perform marriages. --- Ministers must send a certificate of marriage to the clerk who issued the marriage license within three months after the marriage. --- For questions see the clerk of the circuit court.
MISSOURI
Marriages may be performed by any clergyman who is a citizen of the United States and who is in good standing with any church or synagogue in this state. ---Ministers must keep a record of all marriages they perform. They must give the couple a marriage certificate and must complete the marriage license and return it to the recorder of deeds within 90 days after the marriage license was issued. --- For questions see the recorder of deeds.
MONTANA
Ministers of the gospel of any denomination may perform marriages. --- Ministers must complete and return a marriage certificate to the clerk of the district court within 30 days after the marriage. Also the minister must provide marriage certificates to the bride and groom upon request. ---For questions see the clerk of the district court.
NEBRASKA
Any ordained clergyman whatsoever, without regard to the sect to which they belong may perform marriages. --- Ministers must report marriages they perform to the county judge who issued the marriage license within 15 days after the marriage. Also the minister must provide marriage certificates to the bride and groom upon request. --- For questions see the county clerk.
NEVADA
Any ordained minister in good standing with his denomination, whose denomination is incorporated or organized or established in the State of Nevada may perform marriages. --- Ministers are required to complete a complicated procedure to obtain a certificate of permissions to perform marriages. Among other requirements, the applicant's ministry must be primarily one of service to his congregation or denomination and his performance of marriages must be incidental to such service. See the county clerk
for applications, and for any questions you may have. (According to the county clerk, you must be a resident of Nevada to perform weddings there.)
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Marriages may be performed by any ordained minister of the gospel who resides in the state and is in good standing with his church. Ministers not residing in the state may obtain permission to perform a marriage upon application to the Secretary of State. --- Ministers must send a copy of the marriage certificate to the town clerk. ---For questions see the town clerk.
NEW JERSEY
Every minister of every religion may perform marriages. --- Ministers must complete a certificate of marriage and return it to the county clerk. --- For questions see the county clerk.
NEW MEXICO
Any ordained clergyman whatsoever, without regard to the sect to which he or she may belong may perform marriages. --- Ministers must provide the county clerk with a marriage certificate within 90 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the county clerk.
NEW YORK
Marriages may be performed by a clergyman or minister of any religion. However, a 1972 court case said that in order for a marriage to be valid, the minister must have an actual church in the state of New York or at least a stated meeting place for worship or any form of religious observance. According to the City Clerk, filing ordination credentials in not required. To be eligible to perform weddings, you must be officially recognized by your (New York) parish to be able to perform that function. No other proof of that authority is required. Go to www.nycmarriagebureau.com and read the section. We have a directory posted on the site that you may add yourself to or just fill out section b. Ministers do not have to be licensed except that before performing marriages in New York City, the minister must register his or her name and address in the office of the city clerk of the city of New York. --- Ministers must complete a marriage certificate and return it to the town or city clerk who issued the
marriage license within 5 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the town or city clerk.
NORTH CAROLINA
Any ordained minister of any faith who is authorized to perform marriages by his church may do so. --- ministers must complete the marriage license and return it to the register of deeds who issued it. --- For questions see the register of deeds.
NORTH DAKOTA
Ordained ministers of the gospel and priests of every church may perform marriages. --- Ministers must file a certificate of marriage with the county judge who issued the license within 5 days after the marriage. Certificates must also be given to the persons married. --- For questions see the county clerk.
OHIO
You must request a license to perform a marriage in Ohio and can receive one from the Office of the Secretary of State.
OKLAHOMA
Ordained ministers of the gospel of any denomination who are at least 18 years of age may perform marriages. --- Ministers must file a copy of their credentials with the county clerk before performing marriages. ---Ministers must complete a certificate of marriage and return it to the clerk or judge who issued the marriage license. --- For questions see the clerk of the county court.
OREGON
Ministers of any church organized, carrying on its work, and having congregations in this state may perform marriages in this state if authorized by their church to do so. --- Ministers must give the bride and groom a marriage certificate upon request. Also, the minister must send a marriage certificate to the county clerk who issued the marriage license within one month after the marriage. --- For questions see the county clerk.
PENNSYLVANIA
Ministers of any regularly established church or congregation may perform marriages. Also, persons may marry themselves if they obtain a certificate from the clerk of the orphans' court. --- Ministers must provide a certificate of marriage to the bride and groom. Also, they must send a marriage certificate to the clerk of the orphans' court who issued the marriage license within 10 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the clerk of the orphans' court.
RHODE ISLAND
Everyone who has been, or is, the minister of any society professing to meet for religious purposes, or incorporated for the promotion of such purposes, and holding stated and regular services, and who has been ordained according to the customs and usage's of such society may perform marriages. --- Ministers must obtain a license from the city or town clerk before performing marriages. ---Ministers must endorse and return the marriage license to the town or city clerk in which the marriage was performed. --- For questions see the town or city clerk.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Ministers of the gospel who are authorized to administer oaths in this state may perform marriages. --- Ministers must complete the marriage license and give one copy to the parties and the other two must be returned to the county judge of probate who issued it within 15 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the county judge of probate or his clerk.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Marriages may be performed by a minister of the gospel or priest of any denomination. Ministers must provide the bride and groom with marriage certificates upon request. Ministers must also keep a record book of all marriages they perform. Finally, the minister must send a marriage certificate to the clerk who issued the marriage license within 30 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the clerk of courts.
TEXAS
Ordained Christian ministers and priests; Jewish rabbis and persons who are officers of religious organizations and who are duly authorized by the organization to conduct marriage ceremonies may perform marriages. --- Ministers must complete the marriage license and return it to the county clerk who issued it within 30 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the county clerk.
UTAH
Ministers of the gospel or priests of any denomination who are in regular communion with any religious society may perform marriages. ---Ministers must provide a certificate of marriage to the county clerk who issued the marriage license within 30 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the county clerk.
VERMONT
Ordained ministers residing in this state may perform marriages. Non-resident ordained ministers may perform marriages with the permission of the probate court of the district within which the marriage is to take place. --- Ministers must complete the marriage license and certificate of marriage and return it to the clerk's office from which it was issued within ten days from the date of the marriage. --- For questions see the town clerk.
VIRGINIA
Ministers of any religious denomination may perform marriages. --- Before performing marriages, ministers must provide proof of their ordination and proof that they are in regular communion with their church to the circuit court of any unity or city or to the corporation court of any city in this state. The judge will then authorize the minister to perform marriages provided the minister obtains a bond in he amount of 500 dollars. --- Ministers may receive a fee of no more than 10 dollars for performing a marriage. ---Ministers must complete the marriage certificate and return it to the clerk who issued the marriage license within 5 days after the marriages certificate and return it to the clerk who issued the marriage license within five days after the marriage. --- For questions see the clerk of the county circuit court or the clerk of the corporation court.
VIRGIN ISLANDS
Clergymen or ministers of any religion, whether they reside in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the United States may perform marriages. ---Ministers must complete the marriage license and return it to the clerk of the municipal court, which issued the license within 10 days after the marriage is performed. --- For questions see the clerk of the municipal court.
WASHINGTON
Regularly licensed or ordained ministers or any priest of any church or religious denomination anywhere within the state may perform marriages.--- Ministers must send two certificates of marriage to the county auditor within 30 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the county auditor.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. --- Marriage licenses are addressed to the minister who will perform the ceremony. The minister must complete a marriage certificate for the bride and for the groom and return another certificate to the clerk of the District of Columbia Court of General Sessions within 10 days after the marriage. --- For questions see the clerk of the Court of General Sessions court.
WEST VIRGINIA
Any minister, priest or rabbi, over the age of 18 years, may perform marriages. Before performing marriages, ministers must provide proof of their ordination to the clerk of any county court. The clerk will then provide the minister with an order authorizing him/her to perform marriages. Ministers must then return the completed marriage license to the county clerk who issued it on or before the 5th day of the month following the marriage. For questions see the clerk of the county court.
WISCONSIN
Any ordained clergyman of any religious denomination or society may perform marriages. Before performing marriages, ministers must file their credentials of ordination with the clerk of the circuit court in the county in which their church is located. The clerk will give the minister a certificate. Ministers must complete the marriage certificates and give on to the bride and one to the groom. The original must be returned to the register of deeds of the county in which the marriage was performed or if performed in a city, to the city health officer. This must be done within 3 days after the marriage. For questions see the clerk of the circuit court.
WYOMING
Every licensed or ordained minister of the gospel may perform marriages. Ministers must give a marriage certificate to the bride and to the groom upon request and must return a certificate to the county clerk. For questions see the county clerk.
NOTICE: It is the legal responsibility of the minister to comply with the laws of the respective state in which the marriage is solemnized. If a minister is not required to register his/her credentials in his/her state of residence and desires to perform a marriage in a state, which requires registration, it is the responsibility of the minister to be in accord with the states law in which the marriage is to be solemnized.
Important Information: The following states require action on your part to perform a wedding there:
Arkansas:
File a copy of credentials
Hawaii:
Needs a letter of good standing from church
Kentucky:
See County Clerk
Louisiana:
Either register your ministerial certificate or a letter of good standing. Check with County Clerk
Maine:
Get an application from County Clerk
Massachusetts:
Need letter of good standing
Minnesota:
Need letter of good standing
Nevada:
Clark County - Application, comtact County Clerks office
Washo County - Letter of good standing
All other counties - Contact County Clerks office
New Hampshire:
If non-resident, see County Clerk
New York:
Contact County Clerks office
Ohio:
File a copy of credentials and application, obtain from County Clerk
Oklahoma:
File a copy of credentials with County Clerk
Oregon:
File a copy of credentials with County Clerk
Pennsylvania:
Can marry self if obtained a certificate from the Clerk of the Orphans Courts; see County Clerk
Vermont:
If non-resident, register with County Clerk
Virginia:
File a copy of your credentials and letter of good standing with your County Clerk
Washington, DC:
Letter of good standing, articles of incorporation and bylaws, which you can get from us
Wisconsin:
If resident, file copy of credentials.
If non-resident, need letter of sponsorship of one of our ministers in Wisconsin.
Contact us for contact info for sponsorship.
We try to have as much information and as up to date as possible, we do not claim to have all the information available that may be needed. Please check with your local government to make sure there may not be new changes that have taken affect since this last listing.
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