Posted by Roger_OH on 4/28/11 8:05pm
Msg #381674

Questions about perfoming marriages as a notary...

Obviously directed at those NotRoters in ME, SC, and FL that can currently do this, but other viewpoints welcomed. Do you feel the ability to provide marriage services has been a good thing for your state, and on a smaller scale, your business? What pros/cons do you think there are for notaries being authorized to perform marriages.

I'm considering whether to potentially include this option to our SOS and Legislature as part of our Ohio Society of Notaries reform proposals, and appreciate the input.

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 4/28/11 8:23pm
Msg #381676

Yes, yes, yes.

Pros? Allowing notaries to perform marriages just makes sense. Most states no longer have Justices of the Peace, and the public needs civil, non-religious officials that are available to perform private wedding ceremonies outside the courthouse. As officers of the state, we are perfect for fulfilling this role. Yes, it provides excellent business for me as a notary. But more importantly than that, it adds a little dignity to the position of Notary Public... it serves as a reminder that notaries are not just "licensed" secretaries who witness signatures. Notaries performing marriage ceremonies are acting as public officials. We are supposed to serve the public. Allowing notaries to perform weddings allows notaries to serve the public as they should.

Cons? I can't think of any.

Reply by BrendaTx on 4/28/11 8:44pm
Msg #381681

Re: Yes, yes, yes.

*Justices of the Peace*

They are an entrenched sector of Texas government officials. I can't imagine the county government without them.

Reply by Sha/CA on 4/28/11 8:51pm
Msg #381682

How about California notaries performing marriages?

Should I press the orange button?

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 4/28/11 9:16pm
Msg #381686

Sha...you can't.."just-a-notary" can't do it... n/m

Reply by Alz on 4/28/11 10:39pm
Msg #381696

True. Read Page 16 of the CA notary Handbook for more info n/m

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 4/29/11 1:33pm
Msg #381751

Re: How about California notaries performing marriages?

In CA, notaries do not perform marriages, period. They have to be recognized officiants to do that. These are totally different things.

Some officiants also happen to be notaries, but they really don't have anything to do with the other much of the time.

Some notaries in CA *can* issue confidential marriage licenses on behalf of their county clerk. These notaries have special training/permission to do so. Some of these guys can then also perform the ceremony *if* they are also an officiant. If not, they can't.

If you want to do this (issue confidential licenses)... good luck getting the special permission. Many counties aren't even allowing it right now, or the waiting list is exceptionally long.

Reply by Philip Johnson on 4/28/11 9:24pm
Msg #381688

Speaking of marriage.

Anyone need anything while I'm over here with Billy and Katy?

Reply by Claudine Osborne on 4/28/11 9:28pm
Msg #381689

Re: Speaking of marriage.

Roger, I would like to offer that service to people as well..There are plenty of people that do not want a religious ceremony nor go to the JP..This would be a nice alternative as long as the Notary is well trained of course!!

Reply by Ireneky on 4/29/11 12:09pm
Msg #381743

As a former FL notary

I wish KY would let notaries here perform marriages. Miss that part of being a notary here, Great extra income and mostly a lot of fun. Happy people

Reply by jba/fl on 4/28/11 9:28pm
Msg #381690

Yeah - some toffee. LOL n/m

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 4/28/11 9:46pm
Msg #381694

Re: Speaking of marriage.

Want to meet me on the 4th floor of Harrods, Philip? (That is the only floor that serves Earl Grey tea in the cafeteria)

Reply by Philip Johnson on 4/29/11 1:07pm
Msg #381748

Just who is this Earl?

The only Earl I know is Uncle Earl back in NC and his last name is Johnson not Grey. Plus the only Harrods I know of is in Vegas and Atlantic City.

Sylvia have you been in the sun too long, you know what Noel Coward and Joe Cocker sang about?

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 4/29/11 4:17pm
Msg #381760

He is a cousin of the Duke Of Earl. Also goes by the

name of Gene Chadler.
He was a very special Duke , so they said it three times
"Duke Duke Dule of Earl
In Brooklyn, known as the Duke of Oil
And Sylvia is NOT a mad dog, but she sure talks funny

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 4/29/11 10:30pm
Msg #381797

Re: He is a cousin of the Duke Of Earl. Also goes by the

I don't talk funny You guys do

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 4/29/11 10:29pm
Msg #381796

Re: Just who is this Earl?

He was Prime Minister back in the 1800's

Noel Coward sang about Mad Dogs and Englishmen - but I am not a mad dog and am not an EnglishMAN!

Harrods in Vegas? Isn't that Harrah's???

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 4/29/11 8:54am
Msg #381714

From what I hear, dental work would NOT be a good option. n/m

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 4/28/11 9:34pm
Msg #381691

All you need to do is go to the ULC website...

Universal Life Church. You can be ordained online. I know someone who can provide training.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 4/29/11 1:12am
Msg #381704

Re: All you need to do is go to the ULC website...

Wouldn't that make the weddings preformed a religious ceremony through the ULC?

Just a guess on my part, but if one obtains the ability to preform marriages via a church wouldn't all the marriages preformed by that person have to be under the authority of that church?

Disclaimer: I'm not married so I don't know the answer to that question.

If I understand Roger's question and Robert's answer correctly, I think focus they are speaking of is for civil ceremony (i.e. non-religious provider) that a notary would be allowed to preform if the state gave them the authority to do so.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/28/11 11:54pm
Msg #381701

My Vote: Aye. As a Notary, and an Ordained Minister:

there is just nothing like officiating, and solemnizing, ~creating~ a New Family. Sure, there are some who just show up for the the quick-o "I DOs and I Now Pronounce YOUs," and not for a minute would I demean the 'get-er-done' options; so, then there are others who prepare for and perform ceremonies.

For me, it's a Joyful duty and a modest supplemental income, that I don't believe has visited this issue, and really like your post.

To your question: In light of my attitude toward the Joy of Creating Families, I would encourage your work to include this option to your SOS and Leg. in reform proposals. This would allow state-commissioned Notaries Public to perform the legalities of Marriage.

Providing this sensible OPTION, I would think, should be a very logical progression toward expanding the accountability of the Notary Public Commissions to comport with state's laws, while providing valuable services to the cash-strapped, or fast moving Public.

Combining the two options only serves the Public, I say. For instance, just look at Louisiana's Notaries, and the "UPL" its Notaries provide their Public every day, to tout The Possibilities of a Notarial Profession to more States.

Hoping you have tons of support, Roger.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 4/29/11 5:45am
Msg #381708

Roger - repost, ACLU suing Nevada over this very thing

It will be quite the precedent if they win, I have to think the SOS's are all watching this.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/aclu-sues-state-county-118826849.html

Reply by parkerc/ME on 4/29/11 8:14am
Msg #381710

Yes, great benefit

As Robert said, JP's are disappearing, gone in Maine. I was married by a Notary in FL..now I perform marriages in Maine. As far as training...not much needed here. If you can read, you can perform a short civil ceremony at the drop of a hat (as long as all the couple's paperwork is in order) using the words published in our state Notary Handbook. Or you can offer even more elaborate customized services. And it's quite fun when the bride and groom select a non-traditional location for it. Don't see any cons to it.

Reply by GraysBooks on 4/29/11 10:17pm
Msg #381794

Re: Yes, great benefit

We still have JoP's here in Colorado and, other than JoP's, ministers provide the service of nuptials. Notaries here cannot perform such services. I wish that were an option - I could be performing my nephew's this June if such were possible.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/30/11 10:23am
Msg #381809

You still can - check out info above about ULC - Officiating

weddings is one of the joys of life, at lest for me.

Reply by Jodith/WA on 5/2/11 3:06pm
Msg #381929

Re: You still can - check out info above about ULC - Officiating

WooHoo...I'm ordained. *laughs*

Who'd of thunk it, me, lapsed Baptist, lapsed Catholic pagan.