Posted by Kelly M Robertson on 6/13/06 7:19pm
Msg #125748

Wedding Officiant (or Officate)

Here's the scoop since I've received a lot of emails today about two subjects: One was about becoming a Wedding Officiant. The other continues to pulse and why, I have no idea but others have enlightened me so I'll just forget about the second topic.

Wedding Officiant! Federal Law changed in 1974 regarding "minister by mail". Of course now, it's Minister by web. You can Google "Wedding Officiant" and come up with a few places, but I am only familiar with Universal Life Church out of Modesto CA. Once ordained, you can legally perform any right of passage (Christenings, Weddings, Funerals). Of course there are states and a Parish in LA that allows (just) a notary public to perform weddings, but most notaries public that I know (for example in Florida) still became "ordained" thru a site like ULC. Why I don't know but I guess a Florida Notary could answer that.

Disclaimer: Yes I did tons of research. No, I did not run it by my attorney but I'm confident in my ability to read (at least today). And this information has a "take it or leave it" tag on it and whichever you chose is okay by me. I'm not a crybaby

Hoping this does not violate NR rules since NR doesn't ordain anyone but if so, a thousand apologies! My intent is to provide information to share with my contemporaries that are interested in something fun and honorable, and find another way to augment LSA income in the slow times. PS You must get a website for this vocation and link it to other popular wedding websites that brides-to-be frequent in order to get work (lotsa work in the summer and holidays). Most of my clients are people who have a baby on board, military ready to deploy, those of different cultures or faiths or those who don't belong to a particular church. It is truly my honor to join them as husband and wife, and I feel good about not being judgemental in any way, shape or form. I think marriage is great (but only if you're married to the right person! The wrong person - Holy H*** !!!) : ) kelly

Reply by Poppy on 6/13/06 7:23pm
Msg #125750

LOL,

Thanks for ending the day with a laugh! And thanks for sharing new ways to build business and increase income... Have a great evening!

Reply by DonR_NYC on 6/13/06 8:17pm
Msg #125760

Re: Wedding Officiant (or Officate) NOT IN NYC

For Those In NYC: NY does not recognize web ordaination and requires that a religious leader submit authorization from his/her congrgation to perform weddings and the congragation is registered with the city. Below is from the city clerk's office:

Religious Leaders

Ministers, clergymen and other religious leaders must comply with one of the following:

Persons who wish to register in cases where the denomination publishes a directory of its clergy should present proof that their name appears on such directory. Such proof can consist of:

1. the actual directory or a copy of the cover page of the directory and the page where the registrant's name appears accompanied by a notarized certificate stating that such document is a true and correct copy of such directory; or
2. if the registrant's name does not yet appear in the directory, a letter from the body that issues the directory confirming the registrant's membership; or
3. a certificate or letter proving the registrant graduated from the seminary or theological school relating to the denomination.
B. If the denomination does not have such a directory the registrant must present the following three items:

1. a certificate of ordination (accompanied by an official english translation, if necessary,) or a letter of appointment from the board of trustees or equivalent body of the church (Note: Ordination certificates issued by the Universal Life Church or its affiliates are not acceptable evidence of clerical authority);
2. a letter from the registrant's congregation verifying that the registrant is the pastor or associate pastor of the congregation and that the congregation consents to the registration of the individual and
3. articles of incorporation of the church or, if the church is not incorporated, a written statement as to the location of the church, the reason for its founding, the number of trustees, the approximate size of its congregation and how often it meets.
C. If the denomination does not have such a directory and does not grant certificates of ordination or issue letters of appointment, the registrant must present two items:

1. a letter from the congregation stating that he or she is the recognized spiritual leader of the congregation and that the congregation consents to the registration of that individual; and
2. a written statement as to the location of the church, the reason for its founding, the number of trustees, the approximate size of its congregation and how often it meets.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 6/13/06 8:29pm
Msg #125762

Kelly, a very dear friend of mine is ordained by the Universal Life Church and he does weddings on occasion. He actually did this "mail order" ministry for tax reasons (he's a bit of an adventurer in that arena...to put it nicely) and in spite of the way I constantly teased him about his "minister-hood" it is absolutely bona fide legal in California. I don't think it's terribly difficult, either.

For those who feel no need to go through an established religious officiant, this is the answer...or go to the county courthouse, which does lack in romanticism.

I have no doubt you can do it, and if it'll expand your business, why not?

Reply by PAW on 6/13/06 8:31pm
Msg #125763

>>> Of course there are states and a Parish in LA that allows (just) a notary public to perform weddings, but most notaries public that I know (for example in Florida) still became "ordained" thru a site like ULC. Why I don't know but I guess a Florida Notary could answer that. <<<

From my experience, I will say just the opposite. I know a lot of notaries that do perform weddings and none (nada, zero) are ordained. I'm sure there are some that are ordained, but I don't know them. (If I do know them, I don't know they are ordained.)

Reply by Joe Ewing on 6/14/06 2:27am
Msg #125797

Kell... I'm doing one at Sunset Cliffs the afternoon of July 7th.

Reply by Kelly M Robertson on 6/14/06 7:38am
Msg #125816

Hey Rev. Joe

Sounds like that will be a beautiful ceremony. Joe, does the City require the couple to get any kind of permit? Curious, I've been asked before about beach weddings and wondered if a permit is required and/or if it varies by City to City in San Diego?

Reply by Joe Ewing on 6/14/06 10:40am
Msg #125864

Re: Hey Rev. Joe

Small "quiet" gatherings like weddings and the rowdy beach blanket parties that follow are free to be held (almost) anywhere.