Posted by Michelle/AL on 9/23/08 3:29pm
Msg #265080

Alabama Notaries: Do You Condcut Marriages, too?

PM me or post your answer, if you are authorized to conduct marriages in the State of Alabama. About once a month I'm contacted by an Alabama resident wanting me to marry them. I know a few notaries also act as ministers and can marry folk. I just don't remember who they are. Once you contact me, I'd like to add your information to my website so that future lovebirds can call you directly. Thank you.

Reply by Roger_OH on 9/23/08 4:21pm
Msg #265083

Notaries can only perform marriages in ME, SC, & FL n/m

Reply by MistarellaFL on 9/23/08 4:31pm
Msg #265085

Notaries can solemize marriage in any state

Just not in the CAPACITY of notary public.
I know many wedding officiants nationwide who are not notaries public.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 9/23/08 4:34pm
Msg #265086

Exactly, Mistrella....that's a common mistake & assumption

people make. Being a notary doesn't mean you automatically do weddings; however; a notary can do what's necessary to become a minister/official and marry people. That's what I'm looking for.

Reply by sue_pa on 9/23/08 4:41pm
Msg #265088

maybe yes, maybe no in PA

"Internet ordained officiants" are being challenged through the PA court system. I'm not sure of manyof the reasons but one the local judge thought applicable was something to the effect of ... having a regular place of worship (I am VERY looooooosely paraphrasing here). When applying for your marriage license, you are given a document 'warning' of the case and the possibility of having an invalid marriage.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 9/23/08 5:47pm
Msg #265095

Ordination: Real and otherwise

In CT local Town Clerks are beginning to clamp down on Internet-based "ordinations". The criterion (according to the state official I spoke with in person on September 10, 2008) is whether the person who claims to be an ordained officiant just uses their "ordination" to perform weddings or they have an actual ministry and church. Because I am a Justice of the Peace I am not worried about my authority to perform legally-valid marriages.

There is a world of difference between the ordination of someone who goes to a divinity school such as Yale, Duke, Wake Forest, et cetera, and someone who sends $20 to an online ordination mill. (Please, folks, no arguments about one religion's ordination being more valid than any other!)

I _do_ expect to see a court challenge in Connecticut and other states. Some people will scream "Freedom of religion! Freedom of religion!" while others will cry "Real religion is more than charging $$$ for 15 minutes of canned chatter." It is going to get very ugly.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 9/23/08 6:21pm
Msg #265102

Re: Ordination: Real and otherwise

"someone who sends $20 to an online ordination mill"

In the case of one that I know of ordination is free. Just complete an online form and "voila" you are ordained.

Reply by Becca_FL on 9/23/08 9:03pm
Msg #265117

Re: Ordination: Real and otherwise

Yep, It's free. You only pay if you want an official certificate and/or an official looking wallet card. I have the certificate and my SO has the cert and the fancy minister card for his wallet. He's won a few bar bets with that card.

Reply by Roger_OH on 9/23/08 5:06pm
Msg #265090

Capacity as notary is what I meant - sorry! n/m

Reply by notaryinmo on 9/23/08 6:03pm
Msg #265099

In Missouri, the only way a notary can perform a wedding ceremony is if he/she is also an ordained minister or one who has authority to perform wedding ceremonies.