Posted by Anonymous on 8/7/05 10:31am
Msg #57464

officiating weddings

Does anyone know how to become qualified to do this?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/7/05 11:55am
Msg #57477

You need to indicate your state. Different states, different laws.

Reply by Anonymous on 8/7/05 12:06pm
Msg #57481

OPPs! I forget this site is nation wide. Thanks. I live in California

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/7/05 1:24pm
Msg #57485

Re: officiating weddings- need a California notary to answer

Caifornia is not one of the 3 states that allows notaries to perform weddings. However I believe you can get a special one day authorization - Californa notary can help you better.

I know some notaries become ordained ministers so they can perform wedding.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 8/7/05 3:42pm
Msg #57492

California Answer

You can perform "Confidential Marriages" as described in the CA notary Handbook on Page 16. The permit to perform a confidential marriage is good for 90 days. Link to CA notary Handbook is http://www.ss.ca.gov/business/notary/notary_2005hdbk.pdf

Reply by John_NorCal on 8/7/05 6:41pm
Msg #57498

Re: California Answer

Not all counties are allowing confidential marriages by notaries. Check with your county recorder.

Reply by Anonymous on 8/7/05 10:33pm
Msg #57511

Re: California Answer

Thanks for the help, looks like you still need to be a rabbi, minister or priest, (Family Code)

Reply by AllisonB/SCal on 8/8/05 7:36am
Msg #57522

Here's how to become ordained

Try this site : www.ulc.org (Universal Life Church). Becoming a minister is easy and legal (FEDERAL law changed in 1974 according to a search I did) Once ordained, you can administer all LEGAL rights of passage; a funeral, a marriage and baptisms.

The California handbook is very clear on confidential marriages and it sounds to me like it's a huge hassel on the notary's part. The notary must get permission from the County Clerk to complete the paperwork but the county must be the notary's residence county AND the couple MUST get married in the SAME county. If I was married to a minister, this may work for some income if marketed right.

Reply by Anonymous on 8/8/05 9:15am
Msg #57536

Re: Here's how to become ordained

Wow Allison, thanks for all the feedback. I would like to earn some extra income, and that would allow me the flexability to be available to my children. Becomeing a MN has been one of the wisest choicest I have ever made, and I want to explore all the avenues that come with it. Have an awesome day!

Reply by Allison B on 8/8/05 10:29am
Msg #57560

You Can Make A lot of $ Being a Wedding Officiate

However, you have to remember that the wedding never starts on time, you must coordinate with the couple (that can take a lot of time), maybe help with their vows, assist with supplies (candles, sand, etc), then afterwards you have to stay for a time for professional photos and make polite conversation, etc. I charge $300-$350 for local work, but remember, I'm in California and I can charge whatever the market will bear! In a state like Florida, the rules are different for a notary-minister and of course, you'd have to ask someone from there.

The choice is not really wild -- I do not "minister" to anyone as I'm definately not qualified;
I just marry couples in love and that's an HONOR

Reply by Anonymous on 8/8/05 1:45pm
Msg #57607

Re: You Can Make A lot of $ Being a Wedding Officiate

I am in Cal too! Are you ordained by the ULC?

Reply by Allison B on 8/8/05 5:43pm
Msg #57685

Re: You Can Make A lot of $ Being a Wedding Officiate

No, I became ordained a long time ago but Ive heard about the ULC, checked out their website and thought it was really nice -- a great mission statement. Check it out!

Reply by Bob-Chicago on 8/8/05 1:02pm
Msg #57593

May not work, but

Reply by Bob-Chicago on 8/8/05 1:06pm
Msg #57594

Re: May not work, but OOPS

Many years ago , I tried to convince a young lady that a hotel bellhop could perform a marriage valid for one night only.
She did not buy it. She was a blonde, but not that blonde.

Reply by Anonymous on 8/10/05 12:33am
Msg #57977

being ordained

How can one become a justice of the peace?