Any adult who falls into one of a few recognized categories can perform a wedding ceremony in the United States: a judge, magistrate, or other authorized government official; ordained clergy of any recognized faith; a friend or family member who has obtained online ordination or a one-day officiant permit; and, in a small number of states, a notary public. A handful of states also let couples marry themselves with no officiant at all. The exact list depends on the state, and sometimes the county, where the license is issued, so the one step worth taking before anything else is a call to that clerk’s office.
Judges and Other Government Officials
Judges, magistrates, justices of the peace, and court commissioners can perform marriages as part of their official duties, and in most states both active and retired judges hold this authority. Some states extend officiant status to elected officials such as mayors, city council members, county clerks, and state legislators. “Government official” doesn’t automatically mean “authorized officiant,” though. The specific titles that qualify differ from state to state.
One widespread belief worth correcting: a ship’s captain has no automatic legal authority to perform marriages in the United States. A captain who is also ordained clergy or who holds a qualifying government position could officiate on that other basis, but the title alone grants nothing. U.S. Navy regulations go further and prohibit officers from performing marriages aboard military vessels.
Ordained Clergy
Priests, ministers, rabbis, imams, and other religious leaders can officiate weddings in every state, provided they are authorized by their religious organization. States generally defer to the religious body’s own credentialing rather than dictating which denominations qualify. A pastor ordained through a small independent church has the same legal standing as a Catholic priest, as long as each is recognized by their respective organization.
Some jurisdictions ask clergy to show proof of standing when the marriage license is filed, such as a letter from the denomination or an ordination certificate. It isn’t universal, but having that paperwork ready prevents delays at the clerk’s office.
A Friend or Family Member Through Online Ordination
Having someone close to the couple officiate has become one of the most popular ways to personalize a ceremony. Organizations such as the Universal Life Church and American Marriage Ministries offer free online ordination that takes a few minutes to complete. The ULC alone claims more than 20 million members worldwide, and its ordinations have been upheld in numerous legal challenges.
Online ordination is recognized in most states, but not universally and not always without friction. Certain counties, particularly in Virginia and parts of New York, have imposed extra requirements or questioned the validity of internet-based ordinations. The ULC has fought and won cases in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Clark County, Nevada, where local officials initially tried to block its ministers from performing ceremonies. The practical lesson: acceptance can vary not just by state but by county, so verifying with the specific clerk’s office where the license will be filed matters.
One-Day Officiant Permits
For couples who want a specific person to officiate but don’t want that person to carry a permanent ordination, several states offer one-day officiant permits. These temporary appointments authorize someone to perform a single ceremony on a specific date, through a short application and a modest fee.
States currently offering some form of temporary designation include Alaska, California (in some counties), the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Fees run roughly $25 to $100 depending on the state. Applications typically go through the local court or clerk’s office and need to be submitted well in advance of the wedding date. Rhode Island adds an unusual twist: anyone who already holds an ordination is ineligible for the one-day certificate there.
Notary Publics
A small number of states authorize notary publics to solemnize marriages as part of their official duties. Florida, South Carolina, and Nevada have long permitted this, and Tennessee and Montana also allow it. Maine previously authorized notary officiants but changed its rules in 2023; notaries who want to perform weddings there now have to obtain a separate marriage officiant license. In Nevada, notaries must secure a Certificate of Permission from the local county clerk before officiating.
Because only a handful of states offer this option, couples should not assume a notary can legally marry them without checking the specific state’s rules first.
Self-Solemnization: No Officiant Required
A few states let couples marry themselves and skip the officiant entirely. Colorado and Pennsylvania are the best known, with roots in the Quaker tradition of self-uniting marriage. Illinois, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and California also permit some form of self-solemnization, though the details differ. Pennsylvania couples apply for a “self-uniting” license rather than a standard one. In California, the option appears as a “non-clergy” license. Wisconsin requires couples to sign a form acknowledging that the state cannot guarantee their self-uniting marriage will be recognized everywhere.
Maine, Kansas, and Nevada allow self-solemnization only for members of specific religious traditions such as Quakers and Baha’i. Witness requirements vary too: Colorado and Illinois require no witnesses for a self-solemnized marriage, while Pennsylvania and California require two.
How to Verify Your Officiant Is Authorized
Even when an officiant clearly fits one of the recognized categories, some states add a registration step before the person can legally perform a ceremony. Hawaii requires all marriage officiants to obtain a performer license through the state Department of Health, regardless of whether they are clergy, judges, or online-ordained ministers. Louisiana requires officiants to file a registration affidavit with the clerk of court in the parish where they plan to perform weddings. Other states have registration rules that apply only to non-resident officiants or to those ordained online.
Registration typically involves submitting proof of ordination, a government-issued ID, and a fee somewhere in the $10 to $100 range, though the amounts vary.
The only reliable way to confirm an officiant is authorized is to contact the county clerk or marriage license bureau where the wedding will take place. That office will ultimately accept or reject the signed license, so its word is final. Ask directly: Do you recognize officiants ordained online through this specific organization? Does our officiant need to register before the ceremony? What proof of credentials should they bring? An officiant should be ready to show their ordination certificate, and in some areas a notarized letter of good standing from the ordaining organization.
What Happens If the Officiant Isn’t Authorized
Using an unauthorized officiant can put the entire marriage at legal risk. Most states would treat the resulting marriage as “voidable” rather than “void,” meaning it is technically valid until a court annuls it, but the distinction varies by jurisdiction and shouldn’t be counted on. An annulled or void marriage can unwind health insurance coverage, inheritance and community property rights, spousal support claims, and the automatic authority to make medical decisions for an incapacitated partner. The IRS determines filing status based on whether the marriage is recognized where it was performed, so an annulment can force amended tax returns for every affected year. For couples where one spouse’s immigration status depends on the marriage, USCIS uses a “place of celebration” rule and may refuse to recognize a marriage performed by an unauthorized officiant.
Several states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, and Minnesota, offer some protection through the putative spouse doctrine. A spouse who entered the marriage genuinely believing it was valid may retain certain rights even if a defect later surfaces. The Social Security Administration applies a similar principle to survivor benefit claims. The protection lasts only until the person learns of the problem, and the cleanest fix is to hold a second ceremony with a properly authorized officiant. Many states allow that second marriage to backdate its legal effect to the original ceremony date.
A five-minute call to the county clerk’s office before the wedding is a much smaller task than untangling a void marriage after the fact.