Once you have obtained the license, you must provide it to the official who will officiate your marriage. Within 10 days of the ceremony, the officer must complete it and return it to the clerk of the issuing county. For marriage to be legally binding, you and your future spouse must make a solemn declaration in front of two witnesses who are at least 18 years old and the presiding official that you wish to take the other as your spouse. The officiant then makes a statement celebrating the marriage. There are no other requirements imposed by the state for a civil or religious ceremony, so these can be planned according to your own needs and preferences. Even though non-residents are asked to apply for their license in the same county where the marriage will take place, you can use your license anywhere in the state of Michigan, not just the county that issued it. However, you need to act quickly as the license is only valid for 33 days. After you apply for your license, you usually have to wait three days before the county official issues it. If you can prove a valid and sufficient reason, the clerk can expedite it, but it will cost an additional fee. Some individuals who identify as secular officiants, but are not certified by the CFI Lay Officiants Program, may have the opportunity to legally perform marriages in Michigan. It is the officiant`s responsibility to maintain and assert his or her authority to solemnize marriages with the state. These people may include those who are (or have been) a minister, priest or rabbi, etc. Those who are ordained/certified by religious organizations such as the Humanist Society (founded in the Quaker tradition), the Society for Humanistic Judaism (Jewish), or the Church of Universal Life Monastery (non-denominational) are also referred to as “gospel preachers” under Michigan law.
These secular celebrants may offer to perform a wedding ceremony that has no religious content, but may only do so in their capacity as pastor of a religious organization. CFI`s secular celebrants will perform marriages with no religious content, and weddings performed by our officiants are legal in Michigan. It is up to individual celebrants to decide which weddings they will celebrate and what content they will include/perform (example: some do not allow religious/spiritual content, while others allow other participants/family members to contribute to this content if the couple wishes). (1) A person who has attained the age of 18 may enter into marriage. A person who is 16 years of age but under 18 years of age may enter into marriage with the written consent of 1 of his parents or legal guardians, as provided for in this article. As proof of age, the person wishing to marry must provide a birth certificate or other proof of age in addition to the declaration of age in the application at the request of the District Clerk. The District Clerk on the submitted application fills in the spaces of the licence in accordance with the applicant`s affidavit submitted before the District Clerk or a person legally authorized to take the oath. If the affidavit shows that the applicant for a marriage certificate or the person he wishes to marry is under 18 years of age, the district officer requires that prior written consent be given by 1 of the parents of each person under 18 years of age or by the person`s legal guardian. unless the person does not have a living parent or guardian.
Consent is given to the marriage and to the issuance of the licence for which the application is made. Consent must be given in person in the presence of the registrar or confirmed before a notary or other official authorized to take an oath. A permit shall not be issued by the District Clerk until the requirements of this section are met. Written consent is kept in the office of the District Clerk. If the parties have the legal right to marry, the District Clerk must sign the licence and confirm that it has been properly issued, and the employee must make a correct copy of the licence in the registration records. If you choose to be ordained at American Marriage Ministries, you must order one of the following packages. In addition to your official certificate of ordination, you will also receive your “Manual of the Minister of the AMM” and your “Guest to Officer”. Both books contain all the important information you need to know regarding your legal obligations as a wedding manager and your ceremonial responsibilities, including the best preparation for the ceremony. Hello!! I`m Minyon Nelson, officiant and owner of Love Story Weddings; I live outside of Detroit, MI, but I don`t just do it. Read more service of the metropolitan area, but also the surrounding areas. I offer an experience with a great love story for your special day!! If I don`t have a wish, they`d like to do it. A person must be 18 years old to perform a marriage in Michigan.
Michigan grants several people the power to solemnize a marriage, including mayors, judges, magistrates, ministers, employees, and some religious practitioners. People who have received their ordination certificate from Universal Life Church also have the power to solemnize marriages, regardless of gender, personal beliefs, or place of residence. Ministers must submit letters of good standing and their certificates of ordination to the District Clerk prior to the ceremony. Many of our ULC Ministers have used these resources as a guide to becoming professional officials! Celebrating a wedding in Michigan can be divided into two responsibilities. The next step after ordination is to contact the district clerk`s office in the district where the marriage will take place. Identify yourself as a minister and ask what documents you need to present to perform a marriage in their district. You may be asked to provide a number of points to verify your ordination status, but be aware that these requirements vary from county to county (which is why it`s important to contact the right office). Any certificates, documents or ordination documents you need are available at the Minister`s shop here on our website. We`ve said it before, but it bears repeating – in Michigan, wedding leaders don`t have to register with a government office. The Michigan government does not prescribe any formal registration procedures.
At no point in your journey from ordination to marriage ceremony will you be required to complete any government documents confirming your status as a marriage official. Once you`re an ordained minister online, you immediately have the legal option to get married anywhere in Michigan. Michigan`s marriage laws are governed by Chapter 83 of the State Code. This section explains in detail who is legally allowed to perform marriages in the state of Michigan. Among those authorized are ordained officers of the Church of Universal Life. The corresponding section is presented below: Lovely Day Ceremonies is a wedding official based in East Lansing, Michigan. Owned by Licensed Officiant Alex Newman. Read more This company offers personalized and non-denominational wedding ceremonies. Alex is passionate about designing a unique ceremony that celebrates the unique ceremony of the happy couple.
To obtain a legal marriage in Michigan, you must obtain a valid marriage license and have the marriage “celebrated” by certain authorized persons (in addition to other requirements regarding consent, age requirements, etc.). Michigan has compiled marriage laws (Chapter 551). Many people who are ordained online have never celebrated a wedding.