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 4 days
after the marriage. --- For questions see the county clerk.
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.
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. -- 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. --- Ministers must be licensed by the secretary of
State before performing marriages. Application may be made to the town clerk or treasurer. There is a $5
fee. --- After the marriage, the minister must file a copy of the record of marriage with the town clerk. --- 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 the marriage. --- For questions see the clerk of the Court of Common Pleas.
MASSACHUSETTS
Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. --- 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. CLICK
HERE FOR INFORMATION FOR SAME SEX MARRIAGE INFORMATION --- 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 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.
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.
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 or at least a stated meeting
place for worship or any form of religious observance. -- - 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
A minister upon producing to the secretary of state, credentials of his being a regularly ordained or licensed
minister of any religious society or congregation, shall be entitled to receive from the secretary of state a
license authorizing him to solemnize marriages in this state so long as he continues as a regular minister in
such society or congregation. A minister shall produce for inspection his license to solemnize marriages upon
demand of any party to a marriage at which he officiates or proposes to officiate or upon demand of any
probate judge." --- For questions see the clerk of the probate court.
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. --- 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
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
WEST VIRGINIA
Any minister, priest or rabbi, over the age of eighteen 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 them to perform marriages. --- Ministers must return the
completed marriage license to the county clerk who issued it on or before the fifth 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 one to the bride and one to the groom. The original must be
returned to the register of deed's 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 groom upon request and must return a certificate to the county clerk. -- - For
questions see the county clerk.