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
Marriage may be solemnized by any of the following who is of the age of 18 years or older:

Colorado
Marriages may be performed by any ordained or licensed minister. Ministers must send a marriage certificate to the county clerk. A marriage may be solemnized by a judge of a court of record, a public official whose powers include solemnization of marriages, or in accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination or Indian nation or tribe. As of August 1993, a couple themselves can solemnize their own marriage. For questions see the county clerk.

Couples themselves may solemnize their own marriage (C.R.S 14-2-109).
They must apply for paper work from the County Courthouse in order to do this.
However, friends or relatives cannot solemnize their marriage. Out-of-state Clergy
need not be registered in Colorado.

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.

District of Columbia
You must complete their application with a copy of your ordination certificate and most ALSO have a notarized affidavit from someone who is BOTH ordained by the same organization, and is already registered in DC, to affirm you are a minister. If you cannot produce the second, you must have a notarized affidavit from a resident of DC stating that they know you to be BOTH a minister and a person of high morals. Only then will you be registered.

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.

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
Marriages may be performed by a member of the clergy (including a minister, priest, bishop, rabbi, and imam), a judge, a magistrate, a clerk of the circuit court, or a clerk or clerk-treasurer of a city or town. 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
The following are authorized to be officiating persons: Any currently ordained clergyman or religious authority of any religious denomination or society; any licentiate of a denominational body or an appointee of any bishop serving as the regular clergyman of any church of the denomination to which the licentiate or appointee belongs, if not restrained from so doing by the discipline of that church or denomination; any judge or justice of a court of record; any municipal judge of a city of this state; and any retired judge or justice of a court of record.

The two parties themselves, by mutual declarations that they take each other as husband and wife, in accordance with the customs, rules and regulations of any religious society, denomination or sect to which either of the parties belong, may be married without an authorized officiating person.

Any ordained clergyman of any religious denomination or society might 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
Marriage shall be solemnized only by clergy, justices and judges of the Court of Justice, retired justices and judges of the Court of Justice except those removed for cause or convicted of a felony, county judge/executives, such justices of the peace and fiscal court commissioners as the Governor or the county judge/executive authorizes, and certain religious societies.

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
As of July 1, 1981 the Secretary of State's Office no longer requires a license be issued for ministers of the gospel for the purpose of solemnizing marriages in Maine. Currently, Maine relies solely on the language of the law regarding who is authorized to solemnize marriages in Maine. According to Title 19-A M.R.S.A. section 655, the following persons are authorized to perform marriages in Maine:

A. If a resident of this State: (1) A justice or judge; (2) A lawyer admitted to the Maine Bar; or (3) A notary public under Title 4, chapter 19, and B. Whether a resident or nonresident of this State and whether or not a citizen of the United States: (1) An ordained minister of the gospel; (2) A cleric engaged in the service of the religious body to which the cleric belongs; or (3) A person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, religious seminary or ecclesiastical body.

Every person authorized to unite persons in marriage shall make and keep a record of every marriage solemnized by that person in conformity with the forms and instructions prescribed by the State Registrar of Vital Statistics.

Maryland
In Maryland, any adult can sign as clergy, as long as the couple who are getting married agree that he is a clergy. The celebrant doesn't have to be a resident, register in advance, or fulfill any other requirements.

Maryland no longer employs Justices of the Peace to perform civil ceremonies. Instead, only a Clerk of the Circuit Court or an appointed, designated Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court may perform civil ceremonies. The hours, location and fees for a civil ceremony vary from county to county. Visit the circuit courts website to locate the Clerk of the Circuit Court in your county.

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.

It is possible for a non-minister or non-justice of the peace (such as a relative or family friend) to obtain special permission to perform a marriage from the Governor. Call the Governor's office at 617. 727. 5787 to obtain an application for a one-time special appointment to solemnize a marriage. After approval, a $25 fee is paid to the Commissions Division of the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Michigan
Marriages may be solemnized by any of the following: Federal, probate, district, and municipal judges, and district court magistrates, in their court area; Mayors, in their city; Wayne County clerks; Ministers of the gospel, anywhere in the state, "if the minister is ordained or authorized to solemnize marriages according to the usages of the denomination, and is a pastor of a church in this state, or continues to preach the gospel in this state"; Non-resident ministers of the gospel, anywhere in the state, if the minister is authorized to solemnize marriages by his or her state's laws.

No particular form or oath is required. The parties merely solemnly declare that they take each other as husband and wife before at least two witnesses and the person officiating. A special law allows "the people called Friends or Quakers" and "people of any other particular denomination, having, as such, any peculiar mode of solemnizing marriages" to solemnize their marriages in their own manner.

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 their credentials of ordination 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.

Marriages may be solemnized by any of the following: The officials authorized to solemnize marriages include judges, clerks of court, and licensed ministers, priests or rabbis. In some counties there is a court commissioner who is authorized to officiate at marriage ceremonies. There are also special provisions for marriage between members of the Bahai, Hindu, Quaker and American Indian religious groups.

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.

Within the 30-day period after the marriage license is issued, the marriage must be "solemnized" by one of the following: A clergyman or clergywoman, active or retired, who is in good standing with any church or synagogue in Missouri; A Circuit Court or Associate Circuit Court judge (who are prohibited by a Missouri Constitutional provision from receiving any compensation for the service); A religious society, institution or organization in Missouri of which either marriage party is a member, in accordance with the organization's regulations and customs.

Montana
Solemnization and Registration:
(1) A marriage may be solemnized by a judge of a court of record, by a public official whose powers include solemnization of marriages, by a mayor, city judge, or justice of the peace, by a tribal judge, or in accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination, Indian nation or tribe, or native group. Either the person solemnizing the marriage or, if no individual acting alone solemnized the marriage, a party to the marriage shall complete the marriage certificate form and forward it to the clerk of the district court.

(2) If a party to a marriage is unable to be present at the solemnization, he may authorize in writing a third person to act as his proxy. If the person solemnizing the marriage is satisfied that the absent party is unable to be present and has consented to the marriage, he may solemnize the marriage by proxy. If he is not satisfied, the parties may petition the district court for an order permitting the marriage to be solemnized by proxy.

(3) The solemnization of the marriage is not invalidated by the fact that the person solemnizing the marriage was not legally qualified to solemnize it, if either party to the marriage believed him to be so qualified.
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 apply for 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 Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Certificates of Permission to perform marriages.

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.

In the state of New Hampshire marriages may be performed by: A Justice of the Peace commissioned in New Hampshire and in good standing; an ordained clergyman, resident in New Hampshire who is in good standing with his congregation.

Special permission is required for an unordained clergyman:
An ordained clergyman, who is not a resident of New Hampshire. Must obtain a special license, which can be used only for that particular marriage; Jewish Rabbis or Quakers; No one can marry him/herself. Witnesses are not required but permitted, if desired.

Questions and applications relative to solemnization licenses should be addressed directly to the Secretary of State, 603-271-3244. $5.00 is charged for the license issued to out-of-state clergymen.

New Jersey
The marriage ceremony can be performed by: any Federal, State, Municipal judge or magistrate (even if they are retired); any county clerk; any mayor or deputy mayor of a town; Chairman of any township committee; and any religious minister.
The individual performing the ceremony should file the license with the registrar in the municipality where the marriage took place within 5 days of the wedding.
New Jersey, "[various government officials] and every minister of every religion, are hereby authorized to solemnize marriage between such persons as may lawfully enter into the matrimonial relation; and every religious society, institution or organization in this State may join together in marriage such persons according to the rules and customs of the society, institution or organization." It is a misdemeanor for someone not so authorized to "solemnize" a marriage and it is a misdemeanor for someone who is authorized to perform a marriage without the presentation of a license. A clergyman is also permitted to do "work of a psychological nature consistent with the accepted standards of their respective professions" and "work of a marriage and family therapy nature, when acting within the scope of the person's profession or occupation and doing work consistent with the person's training".

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.

A Justice of the Peace is normally a Magistrate Judge, Municipal Judge, or Probate Judge may perform a ceremony. Including, a District Judge upon request. Any person credentialed by a religious society can perform a marriage in the State of New Mexico.

New York
Important Note: The City of New York has significantly different laws and procedures from the rest of the state. See "New York City" below.
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. To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be performed by any of the individuals specified in Section 11 of the New York State Domestic Relations Law. These include:

New York City
In a nutshell: If the address on your Drivers License is within NYC limits, you will need three things to be able to perform marriages within NYC, instead of only one. They are:

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 and show some documentation.

The Official NYC handbook on the Domestic Relations Law, p. 89., À/Í À/ÍC11:2 (subdivision 1) permits a clergyman or minister of any religion to solemnize marriages. "Clergyman or minister" includes a duly authorized pastor, rector, priest, or rabbi. It also includes any other person having authority from, or in accordance with, the rules and regulations of the governing ecclesiastical body of the denomination or order, if any, to which the church belongs. Persons who otherwise have authority from the church or synagogue to preside over and direct the spiritual affairs of the church or synagogue are likewise included. While the state may act to prevent marriages being solemnized by mere philanderers purporting to officiate under the guise of a pseudo-religious faith, it may not interdict marriage ceremonies having a reverent character performed by a person having ecclesiastical sanction
To have authority to solemnize marriages, there is no requirement that the church, synagogue, or other religious congregation over which the clergyman presides be affiliated with any denomination or order. Nor is there any requirement that clergy have received formal sanctioning authority from a governing board of a denomination or order or from the church, synagogue, or congregation itself.

The liberality in construction is stretched to the breaking point where the officiating clergyman appears to be a mere philanderer professing a pseudo-religious faith. In Ravenal v. Ravenal, 72 Misc.2d 100, 338 N.Y.S.2d 324 (Sup.Ct.N.Y.County 1972), at issue was the validity of a marriage purportedly solemnized by a person who obtained his minister's credentials by mail, who did not preside over an actual church or religious organization, whose beliefs did not provide for any form of worship or religious service, and whose accrediting organization professed a willingness to ordain anyone for a modest free will offering. The court concluded that, under these circumstances, the person who performed the ceremony could not be properly viewed, even with the benefit of a liberal construction, as a clergyman or minister of a religion. The Ravenal case represents an extreme situation where the person who purported to solemnize the marriage lacked, at least to the court's mind, any of the objective manifestations of attributes generally associated with ministers or clergy. The court appears to have been convinced that the solemnizing officer was a charlatan, claiming ecclesiastical authority by virtue of a mail order ordination granted by a corporate entity that would ordain all comers. Where the parties to the marriage and the person who solemnized the marriage belong to, or ascribe to, a genuine religious faith, then the authority of the officiating person must be recognized.

The question of genuineness of religious faith is tested by objective criteria such as the regularity of worship and the existence of tenets or principles. The subjective values of the particular religion or faith are irrelevant, no matter how unconventional or no matter how unschooled in theology the clergyman appears to be.

To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be performed by any of the individuals specified in Section 11 of the New York State Domestic Relations Law. These include: the mayor of a city or village; the city clerk or one of the deputy city clerks of a city of more than one million inhabitants; a marriage officer appointed by the town or village board or the city common council; a justice or judge of the following courts: the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern or Western Districts of New York, the NYS Court of Appeals, the Appellate Division of the NYS Supreme Court, the NYS Supreme Court, the Court of Claims, the Family Court, a Surrogates Court, the Civil and Criminal Courts of New York City (including Housing Judges of the Civil Court) and other courts of record; a village, town or county justice.

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 that issued it. Magistrates are the only “civil” officials with authority to conduct marriage ceremonies in North Carolina. For questions contact the register of deeds office in the county you are to be married.

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 contact the county clerk’s office in the county you are to be married.

Ohio
To have legally recognized clergy status in Ohio, one must have ordination papers from a church recognized in Ohio.

Contact the Ohio Secretary of State at 30 E. Broad St., 14th Floor; Columbus, OH 43266-0418. Request the application for a minister's license. When you receive it, send the completed form, a photocopy of your ordination certificate, and a $10 check or money order to the above address. This will take 2-3 weeks.

Any ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation within this state may perform marriages. Before performing a marriage, ministers must present their ordination credentials to the probate judge of any county. The judge will provide the minister with a license to perform marriages. The minister must then present his license to the probate judge in any county in which he performs a marriage. Ministers must send a certificate of marriage to the probate judge of the county, which issued the marriage license within 30 days after the marriage. For questions see the clerk of the probate court.

Oklahoma
Solemnization of marriages: All marriages must be contracted by a formal ceremony performed or solemnized in the presence of at least two adult, competent persons as witnesses, by a judge or retired judge of any court of record in this state, or an ordained or authorized preacher or minister of the Gospel, priest or other ecclesiastical dignitary of any denomination who has been duly ordained or authorized by the church to which he belongs to preach the Gospel, or a rabbi and who is at least eighteen (18) years of age. The preacher, minister, priest, rabbi or ecclesiastical dignitary who is a resident of this state shall have filed, in the office of the court clerk of the county in which he resides, a copy of his credentials or authority from his church or synagogue authorizing him to solemnize marriages. The preacher, minister, priest, rabbi or ecclesiastical dignitary who is not a resident of this state, but has complied with the laws of the state of which he is a resident, shall have filed once, in the office of the court clerk of the county in which he intends to perform or solemnize a marriage, a copy of his credentials or authority from his church or synagogue authorizing him to solemnize marriages. Such filing by resident or nonresident preachers, ministers, priests, rabbis or ecclesiastical dignitaries shall be effective in and for all counties of this state; provided, that no fee shall be charged for such recording; but no person herein authorized to perform or solemnize the marriage ceremony shall do so unless the license issued therefore be first delivered into his possession nor unless he has good reason to believe the persons presenting themselves before him for marriage are the identical persons named in the license, and for whose marriage the name was issued, and that there is no legal objection or impediment to such marriage.

Marriages between persons belonging to the society called Friends, or Quakers, the spiritual assembly of the Baha'Is, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which have no ordained minister, may be solemnized by the persons and in the manner prescribed by and practiced in any such society, church or assembly.

Oregon
Marriage ceremonies may be performed by the following: Judges, Justices of Peace, County Clerks or their Deputies within appointing county, and by persons appointed to perform the ceremony by a congregation having regular meetings in the state (i.e., ministers, pastors, priests, rabbis).

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. Before performing marriages, ministers must file their credentials with the county clerk of the county in which they reside or in which the marriage is to be performed. 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
Marriage ceremonies may be performed by the following: Judges, Justices of Peace, County Clerks or their Deputies within appointing county, and by persons appointed to perform the ceremony by a congregation having regular meetings in the state (i.e., ministers, pastors, priests, rabbis).

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 usages 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.

Also, anyone that is a notary public in the state of South Carolina is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.

South Dakota
Marriage may be solemnized by a justice of the Supreme Court, a judge of the circuit court, a magistrate, or any person authorized by a church to solemnize marriages may do so in South Dakota. See SDCL 25-1 for specific statutes.

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.

Tennessee
All regular ministers of the gospel of every denomination, and Jewish rabbis, more than 18 years of age, having the care of souls may perform marriages. Ministers must endorse the marriage license and return it to the clerk of the county court within three days after the marriage. For questions see the county clerk.

How do you get certified as "clergy" in Tennessee? To get certified as Clergy, you have to submit to the county courthouse a statement from your denomination or congregation saying that you are a confirmed or ordained minister. Then you have to file a certain Tax form, and fill out a questionnaire, which costs between $200 - $300. Of course, then you have to figure out how you are taxed, which can be a headache.

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
A minister, rabbi, priest, mayor, judge, county clerk, Native American spiritual adviser, the Governor, court commissioners and judges, as well as particular members of the legislature. If you wish to be married by a county clerk, call your local county clerk office to set up an appointment. You must additionally bring two witnesses over the age of 18 and pay an additional fee for the ceremony.

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
Your marriage can be performed by: A judge, supreme court justice, assistant judge, justice of the peace, or an ordained or licensed minister, rabbi or priest residing in Vermont or authorized by their denomination. 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.

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 ceremony. For questions see the clerk of the municipal court.

Virginia
The procedure in Virginia is less well defined. According to the official in Arlington County, you bring (in person) your "certificate of ordination", a photo ID, and $16 the Clerk's office of any Circuit Court. You need a letter from the organization which ordained you stating that you are a member in good standing, and the letter must be dated within 30 days of registering with the court. Then the clerk will ask you "some questions" about things like whether or not you have a congregation in Virginia, how many members, and whether your group is recognized as a religious group by the IRS. Then either the clerk will register you or buck the problem up to a judge. Nonresidents are eligible. VA-resident non-clergy can sign up for a one-time permit to celebrate a wedding. Apply in person at the Clerk's office of any Circuit 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.

West Virginia
New Law Passed in 2002!
The West Virginia Legislature adopted S. B. 59, establishing new provisions for the registration of religious representatives to be authorized to perform marriages in any county in West Virginia. The provisions replace previous requirements for registration with the county clerk, however approval of the bond or exemption from the bonding requirement was left with the county commission.

Requirements for Registration:
1. Proof of Age: The registrant must be 18 years of age or older, and may show proof using a birth certificate, driver license, passport or military ID.
2. Proof of Authority: The registrant must be duly authorized to perform marriages by his or her church, synagogue, spiritual assembly or religious organization; and in regular communion with that group of which he or she is a member.
3. Bond: The bonding requirement is waived if the registrant gives proof before the county commission of his or her ordination or similar formal authorization by the religious organization. A bond of $1,500 with surety approved by the county commission, is required if the formal ordination or similar authorization is not provided. A letter from the members of a single congregation unaffiliated with a recognized religious body is not considered proof sufficient to be exempt from the bonding requirement. The Secretary of State will establish a registry of all persons authorized to perform marriages. There is no statutory requirement that witnesses be present at the marriage ceremony.

Wisconsin
Any ordained clergyman of any religious denomination or society may perform marriages as well as a judge, a court commissioner, or certain religious appointees. You and your prospective spouse may officiate under established customs or rules of some religions.

Wyoming
Every licensed or ordained minister of the gospel may perform marriages. Ministers must give a marriage certificate to the bride and groom upon request and must return a certificate to the county clerk. For questions see the county clerk.

Please contact us to let us know of any changes to these rules.