Get Ordained
Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of marriage officiant requirements for each of the 50 U.S. states. Note that marriage laws can change over time, so it is always recommended to check with the local county clerk or appropriate authority for the most up-to-date requirements.

1. Alabama

Any licensed minister or pastor can officiate a wedding.
No specific registration is required.

2. Alaska

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration with the state is required.

3. Arizona

Ordained or licensed ministers, pastors, or priests may officiate.
No registration is required.

4. Arkansas

Ministers must be ordained.
No specific registration required with the state.

5. California

Ministers must be ordained or recognized as clergy.
No registration required unless officiating in San Francisco County.

6. Colorado

No officiant is required; couples can self-solemnize.
Ministers can officiate but no registration is required.

7. Connecticut

Ordained or licensed ministers may officiate.
No registration with the state is necessary.

8. Delaware

Ministers must be ordained or authorized by their denomination.
No registration is required.

9. Florida

Ordained ministers or pastors may officiate.
No registration with the state is required.

10. Georgia

Ordained ministers of any religion may officiate.
No registration with the state is required.

11. Hawaii

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
Ministers must register with the Hawaii Department of Health.

12. Idaho

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration is required.

13. Illinois

Ordained ministers may officiate.
No registration is required with the state.

14. Indiana

Ministers must be ordained.
No registration is required.

15. Iowa

Ordained or licensed ministers can officiate.
No registration with the state is required.

16. Kansas

Ordained ministers or clergy may officiate.
No registration is required with the state.

17. Kentucky

Ministers must be ordained.
No registration is required.

18. Louisiana

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
They must register with the Clerk of Court in the parish where the marriage will be performed.

19. Maine

Ordained ministers can officiate.
Ministers must be authorized by the Department of Health and Human Services.

20. Maryland

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration required, but they may need credentials to present upon request.

21. Massachusetts

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
Non-resident ministers must apply for a special one-day designation from the Governor’s office.

22. Michigan

Ministers must be ordained or licensed.
No registration is required.

23. Minnesota

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
They must register with the county clerk where the marriage will take place.

24. Mississippi

Ordained ministers can officiate.
No registration is required.

25. Missouri

Ministers must be ordained.
No registration required with the state.

26. Montana

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration with the state is required.

27. Nebraska

Ministers must be ordained.
No registration is required with the state.

28. Nevada

Ministers must be ordained.
They must register with the County Clerk’s office and obtain a Certificate of Permission.

29. New Hampshire

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration required unless the minister is a non-resident, in which case they must apply for a special license.

30. New Jersey

Ordained ministers may officiate.
No registration is required.

31. New Mexico

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration is required with the state.

32. New York

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration required unless officiating in New York City, where ministers must register with the NYC Clerk.

33. North Carolina

Ministers must be ordained or licensed.
No registration is required with the state.

34. North Dakota

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration is required.

35. Ohio

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
They must register with the Ohio Secretary of State.

36. Oklahoma

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration with the state is required.

37. Oregon

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration is required.

38. Pennsylvania

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration required, though Pennsylvania also allows self-uniting marriages without an officiant.

39. Rhode Island

Ministers must be ordained.
Non-resident ministers must obtain a permit from the city or town where the marriage will occur.

40. South Carolina

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration is required.

41. South Dakota

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration is required.

42. Tennessee

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
Online ordinations may not be accepted; check with the county clerk’s office for more details.

43. Texas

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration with the state is required.

44. Utah

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration is required.

45. Vermont

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
Non-resident ministers must register with the Secretary of State.

46. Virginia

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
They must register with the local Circuit Court Clerk in the jurisdiction where the marriage will be performed.

47. Washington

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration is required.

48. West Virginia

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
They must register with the County Clerk’s office before performing a ceremony.

49. Wisconsin

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration is required.

50. Wyoming

Ministers must be licensed or ordained.
No registration is required.

In all cases, it’s crucial for the officiant to understand and comply with the specific requirements of the county or local jurisdiction where the marriage will be performed.

Get Ordained Frequently Asked Questions