Is it possible to get certified to perform wedding ceremonies but not "ordained"?

Question

I would absolutely love to have my cousin marry my finace and I. Problem is, she is athiest and so are we. We are not having a religious wedding and would normally just get married by a judge or whatever. My question is, is there a way for her to become certified to marry us without putting the whole religion aspect into it? I'm not really familiar with how this all works. Thanks!

Answer 1

Contact the Secretary of State; they will have all the particulars you need.

Some states will allow one to become a JP or a Notary.  And that getting "ordained" that people so readily suggest isn't accepted everywhere.

Answer 2

She needs to become a justice of the peace...

Answer 3

She would have to apply to become a Justice of The Peace...which could take time and cost $$, depending on your state rules. A justice of the peace is NOT an 'ordained minister'....

BUT if you can arrange to have a Justice of the Peace there, your cousin can LEAD the ceremony, do the vows, etc. as you want-and then at the last minute the JP would take over...all they are 'required' to do is ask if 'you take her and she takes you, any objections' so to speak. They do not have to do a full blown ceremony.

So find a justice of the peace that is 'laid back' and willing to work with you!

Answer 4

I agree with jawildy... check at the County Clerk's office as to who can officiate. In Florida, for example, a Notary Public can legalize a wedding.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Yes it is possible a friend of mine bought a degree for less than twenty dollars.

Answer 6

just get ordained. she won't burst into flames. and theres no religous aspect to it. you just apply online and receive a cert.  

Answer 7

You can become ordained at the Universal life church for free.  Also you can be an "atheist minister" or whatever the heck you want.  I'm a Wiccan minister. http://ulc.net/?gclid=CIKi49Te_pQCFR0RnQ...

Answer 8

justice of the peace is what you want. they can and do preform wedding ceremonies. there is no religious overtones, its just a civil ceremony

Answer 9

Check the state laws.  Some states are more lenient than others.  In Montana, anyone can perform the ceremony.

Answer 10

Every state has different requirements.  The state of Alaska has looser laws on that matter than most states. You can look up on the web for your state because you didn't mention what state you are getting married.  If you are marrying out of state get info for that state.  Once it is legal in the state you get married, your marriage is legal everywhere.  

Answer 11

The Universal Life Church will "ordain" anyone as a minister. (You don't need to prove any beliefs or education). They will send you a certificate, then you go to the city hall and pay a small fee to be licensed with the state. This will work in any state from what I've been told, but it's a good idea to double check with the city clerk.  

Answer 12

She can get online or mail-order ordination, but it doesn't have to be religion-specific. My atheist friend did this for a friend, and it didn't involve religion, obviously. Check out your local and state laws, however, because not every state recognizes "ordination for the sheer purpose of uniting two persons in holy matrimony." Two attorneys in CT got caught in a mess, not realizing that their area didn't recognize such ordination, so if attorneys can get into that kind of mess, anyone can.