| Do you love to attend weddings but just don't get | | | | are recognized. |
| enough invitations? Are you tired of being 'only a | | | | Just Do It - California does not require that the |
| wedding guest' and want to take a more active part in | | | | wedding officiant be ordained - they figure that should |
| marriage ceremonies? Or maybe you just want to | | | | be your concern, not theirs. Colorado, along with |
| earn a little extra cash while doing some really | | | | several other states, recognizes common law |
| interesting work? Then read on to learn how you can | | | | marriages. Since couples in common-law marriage |
| become a wedding officiant! | | | | states can file the marriage paperwork without the |
| Although legal definitions vary in each US state, a | | | | signature of an officiant, that means the couple need |
| wedding officiant, in essence, is simply a person who | | | | not worry about having a recognized officiant perform |
| conducts a wedding ceremony. Usually the officiant | | | | their wedding ceremony (if they choose to have one). |
| serves as a principal witness for the consent to marry | | | | The wedding officiant, in such cases, does not serve |
| between the bride and groom, and takes care of filing | | | | as an official witness to the consent to marriage by |
| the legal paperwork like the marriage license, | | | | the husband and wife. |
| afterwards. Most wedding officiants are ministers of | | | | Make it Official! - some states allow notary publics and |
| already established churches or justices of the peace | | | | clerks of the court to officiate at marriages. Other |
| - and many states allow only such individuals to be | | | | states allow virtually any current or former public |
| officiants. However, in those states that have more | | | | official, such as mayors, governors and magistrates to |
| liberal officiant recognition, there are simpler ways to | | | | solemnize marriages. |
| become an officiant than by obtaining a divinity or | | | | Military Chaplain - If you're a commissioned officer in |
| jurisprudence degree. | | | | any branch of the military consider becoming a |
| Internet or Online "Churches" - a number of | | | | chaplain since they can perform marriages. |
| internet-based organizations offer to ordain people to | | | | Ahoy, Mates! - ship captains are authorized to perform |
| become wedding officiants. For a fee, you get a | | | | marriages, but only at sea. |
| package of paperwork certifying you as an ordained | | | | Of course, every state has different laws governing |
| minister of that organization. Be sure to read the | | | | who can perform marriages. Be sure to check your |
| organization's "fine print" on their website and check | | | | relevant state marriage laws before deciding to pursue |
| your state regulations to make sure such credentials | | | | this rewarding career! |