perform a non-religious marriage ceremony
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While laws differ from state to state, you must usually hold some kind of government licence or religious ordination in order to legally perform marriage ceremonies. If you are not an ordained religious leader, justice of the peace or county clerk, you can still become qualified to perform non-religious wedding ceremonies. Many secular and interdenominational organizations will ordain almost anyone who wishes to perform marriages. In some states, like California, you can apply to become a Deputy Commissioner of Marriages, a title that lasts for one day, allowing you to officiate ceremonies for friends and family.
Instructions
Become Licensed or Ordained
1
Research your state's laws about performing legal marriages. Most states recognize licensed members of the clergy and ordained ministers as valid wedding officiants, as well as civilly-licensed celebrants.
2
Determine which path you wish to take to become licensed or ordained. You may find a secular or interdenominational group or ordination society or, in some states, apply for a license at the county clerk's office.
3
Apply for licensing or ordination and fulfill any requirements for completing the ordination process. The Universal Life Church (themonastery.org) and the American Fellowship Church (amfellow.org) are two such independent interfaith organizations that ordain people from all walks of life and belief to perform marriages.
4
Check your state's laws for verifying and reporting your ordination and register as an officiant in your state.
Perform the Marriage
5
Meet with the bride and groom to plan the wedding ceremony. Determine whether or not you will need to prepare a special speech or secular sermon, in addition to officiating the exchange of vows.
6
Prepare the ceremony content. Work with the bride and groom to select or write non-religious marital vows. If you will also be giving a speech or doing a reading, make sure you are familiar with the content and practice delivering the speech or reading ahead of time.
7
Perform the ceremony as rehearsed on the wedding day. At the end of the ceremony, pronounce the couple man and wife.
8
After the ceremony you will need to sign the bride and groom's marriage license and mail it to the district or county court within a specified amount of time, to report the marriage. The amount of time you have to report the marriage varies from four to 90 days after the wedding.
Tips &- Warnings
Before becoming ordained, verify that your state recognizes ordinations from the organization you choose.
Tags: your state, bride groom, amount time, county clerk, marriage ceremony, perform marriages, perform non-religiousSource: www.ehow.com
