AMERICAN MARRIAGE MINISTRIES
330 24th Ave E Seattle WA 98112
Phone: 206-395-9164
File Marriage License
File your marriage license with us!
We are supported by our ministers.
Request your credentials today!

Perform Marriage in California
view state marriage maps
Toggle: Map-List
  • Minister Licensing
  • - Licensing Office -
  • Marriage License
  • - Office of Issuance -
  • - Application Fee -
  • - Waiting Periods -
  • - Expiration -
  • - Return -
Minister Licensing Requirements by State
Minister Licensing requirements vary across the Country.
All ministers must observe State requirements (if any) to perform marriage.
No Licensing-Varies by County Required in Select Locations Required Across State
Alabama:
No Licensing
 Montana:
No Licensing
Alaska:
No Licensing
 Nebraska:
No Licensing
Arizona:
No Licensing
 Nevada:
Required
Arkansas:
Select Locations
 New Hampshire:
No Licensing
California:
No Licensing
 New Jersey:
No Licensing
Colorado:
No Licensing
 New Mexico:
No Licensing
Connecticut:
No Licensing
 New York:
Select Locations
Delaware:
No Licensing
 North Carolina:
Select Locations
Florida:
No Licensing
 North Dakota:
No Licensing
Georgia:
No Licensing
 Ohio:
Required
Hawaii:
Required
 Oklahoma:
Select Locations
Idaho:
No Licensing
 Oregon:
No Licensing
Illinois:
Select Locations
 Pennsylvania:
Select Locations
Indiana:
No Licensing
 Rhode Island:
No Licensing
Iowa:
No Licensing
 South Carolina:
No Licensing
Kansas:
No Licensing
 South Dakota:
No Licensing
Kentucky:
Select Locations
 Tennessee:
Select Locations
Louisiana:
Select Locations
 Texas:
No Licensing
Maine:
No Licensing
 Utah:
Required
Maryland:
No Licensing
 Vermont:
No Licensing
Massachusetts:
No Licensing
 Virginia:
Required
Michigan:
Select Locations
 Washington:
No Licensing
Minnesota:
Required
 West Virginia:
Required
Mississippi:
Select Locations
 Wisconsin:
Required
Missouri:
Required
 Wyoming:
No Licensing
Minister Licensing Office by State
The government office (if any) that licenses ministers varies by State.
In most places this will be the same office that issues the marriage license to the couple.
State Government County Government City & Town Government
Alabama:
County Clerk
 Montana:
Clerk of Court
Alaska:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
 Nebraska:
County Clerk
Arizona:
County Clerk
 Nevada:
County Clerk
Arkansas:
County Clerk
 New Hampshire:
Town Clerk
California:
County Clerk
 New Jersey:
Municipal Registrar
Colorado:
County Clerk
 New Mexico:
County Clerk
Connecticut:
Vital Records Office
 New York:
County, City, Town Clerk
Delaware:
County Clerk
 North Carolina:
County Registrar
Florida:
County Clerk
 North Dakota:
County Registrar
Georgia:
County Clerk
 Ohio:
Secretary of State
Hawaii:
Department of Health
 Oklahoma:
County Clerk
Idaho:
County Recorder
 Oregon:
County Clerk
Illinois:
County Clerk
 Pennsylvania:
County Registrar
Indiana:
County Clerk
 Rhode Island:
Town Clerk
Iowa:
County Clerk
 South Carolina:
County Probate Office
Kansas:
County Clerk
 South Dakota:
County Registrar
Kentucky:
County Clerk
 Tennessee:
County Clerk
Louisiana:
Clerk of Court
 Texas:
County Clerk
Maine:
Town Clerk
 Utah:
County Clerk
Maryland:
Clerk of Court
 Vermont:
Town Clerk
Massachusetts:
Town Clerk
 Virginia:
County Clerk
Michigan:
Clerk of Court
 Washington:
County Auditor
Minnesota:
County Clerk
 West Virginia:
County Clerk
Mississippi:
Clerk of Court
 Wisconsin:
County Clerk
Missouri:
County Clerk
 Wyoming:
County Clerk
Marriage License Definitions
Marriage License: The legal document document of marriage issued and recorded by the State Government.
  • It is the responsibility of the couple to apply for their marriage license.
  • It is the duty of the minister to complete and return the license.
  • Depending on the State, the marriage license may be issued at a State, County, City, or Town level.
County Clerk: Also known as "Clerk of Court" and "Probate Court office". The County Clerk is a department of the courthouse, ussually located in the main Courthouse building.
Waiting Period: When a couple applies for their marriage license, they may be required to wait a certain amount of days before either being issued or being able to complete and return their marriage license.
Expiration: In most States the marriage license expires after a specified period of time from when it is issued. If the marriage has not been solemnized wthin this time frame, the couple will have to reapply for a new license.
Return: Most States require that the completed marriage license be returned to its office of issuance within a specified period of time from the wedding.
Office that Issues Marriage License by State
Depending on the State, the marriage license may be issued at a State, County, City, or Town level.
Common offices include the County Clerk, County Recorder, Probate Court, and City Clerk.
State Government County Government City & Town Government
Alabama:
County Clerk
 Montana:
Clerk of Court
Alaska:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
 Nebraska:
County Clerk
Arizona:
County Clerk
 Nevada:
County Clerk
Arkansas:
County Clerk
 New Hampshire:
Town Clerk
California:
County Clerk
 New Jersey:
Municipal Registrar
Colorado:
County Clerk
 New Mexico:
County Clerk
Connecticut:
Vital Records Office
 New York:
County, City, Town Clerk
Delaware:
County Clerk
 North Carolina:
County Registrar
Florida:
County Clerk
 North Dakota:
County Registrar
Georgia:
County Clerk
 Ohio:
County Clerk
Hawaii:
Department of Health
 Oklahoma:
County Clerk
Idaho:
County Recorder
 Oregon:
County Clerk
Illinois:
County Clerk
 Pennsylvania:
County Registrar
Indiana:
County Clerk
 Rhode Island:
Town Clerk
Iowa:
County Clerk
 South Carolina:
County Probate Office
Kansas:
County Clerk
 South Dakota:
County Registrar
Kentucky:
County Clerk
 Tennessee:
County Clerk
Louisiana:
Clerk of Court
 Texas:
County Clerk
Maine:
Town Clerk
 Utah:
County Clerk
Maryland:
Clerk of Court
 Vermont:
Town Clerk
Massachusetts:
Town Clerk
 Virginia:
County Clerk
Michigan:
Clerk of Court
 Washington:
County Auditor
Minnesota:
County Clerk
 West Virginia:
County Clerk
Mississippi:
Clerk of Court
 Wisconsin:
County Clerk
Missouri:
County Clerk
 Wyoming:
County Clerk
Marriage License Fee by State
The cost of the marriage license Varies from State to State
In addition, the cost may vary based on Residency and location in the State.
Marriage License is $4-40 Marriage License is $41-65 Marriage License is $65+
Alabama:
$40 - 80
 Montana:
$50 - 60
Alaska:
$25
 Nebraska:
$15
Arizona:
$72
 Nevada:
$35 - 65
Arkansas:
$35 - 47
 New Hampshire:
$45
California:
$50 - 80
 New Jersey:
$28
Colorado:
$10 - 30
 New Mexico:
$25
Connecticut:
$10 - 30
 New York:
$35 - 40
Delaware:
$30 -100
 North Carolina:
$50
Florida:
$93.50
 North Dakota:
$65
Georgia:
$26 - 62
 Ohio:
$40 - 60
Hawaii:
$50
 Oklahoma:
$50
Idaho:
$28
 Oregon:
$50 - 60
Illinois:
$15 - 40
 Pennsylvania:
$40 - 75
Indiana:
$18 or $60
 Rhode Island:
$24
Iowa:
$30 - 35
 South Carolina:
$30 - 50
Kansas:
$50 - 69
 South Dakota:
$40
Kentucky:
$34.50 - 36
 Tennessee:
$93.50 - 99.50
Louisiana:
$25 - 32
 Texas:
$60 - 72
Maine:
$20
 Utah:
$40 - 50
Maryland:
$35 - 70
 Vermont:
$45 - 55
Massachusetts:
$4 - 50
 Virginia:
$30 - 50
Michigan:
$20 or $30
 Washington:
$55 - 64
Minnesota:
$110
 West Virginia:
$36
Mississippi:
$22
 Wisconsin:
$60 - 105
Missouri:
$58
 Wyoming:
$25
Marriage License Waiting Period by State
Select States mandate a Waiting Period upon successful application for the marriage license.
The couple may have to wait from 1-6 days to be issued or complete the license.
No Waiting Period 1-3 Day Waiting Period 4-6 Day Waiting Period
Alabama:
None
 Montana:
None
Alaska:
3 Days to Receive
 Nebraska:
None
Arizona:
None
 Nevada:
None
Arkansas:
None
 New Hampshire:
3 Days to Receive
California:
None
 New Jersey:
3 Days to Receive
Colorado:
None
 New Mexico:
None
Connecticut:
None
 New York:
1 Days before Completing
Delaware:
1 or 4 Days (Residency)
 North Carolina:
None
Florida:
3 Days before Completing
 North Dakota:
None
Georgia:
None
 Ohio:
None
Hawaii:
None
 Oklahoma:
None
Idaho:
None
 Oregon:
3 Days to Receive
Illinois:
1 day before Completing
 Pennsylvania:
3 Days to Receive
Indiana:
None
 Rhode Island:
None
Iowa:
3 Days to Receive
 South Carolina:
1 day to Receive
Kansas:
3 Days to Receive
 South Dakota:
None
Kentucky:
3 Days to Receive
 Tennessee:
None
Louisiana:
3 Days before Completing
 Texas:
3 Days before Completing
Maine:
3 Days to Receive
 Utah:
None
Maryland:
2 Days to Receive
 Vermont:
1 day before Completing
Massachusetts:
3 Days to Receive
 Virginia:
None
Michigan:
3 Days to Receive
 Washington:
3 Days to Receive
Minnesota:
5 Days to Receive
 West Virginia:
3 Days before Completing
Mississippi:
3 Days to Receive
 Wisconsin:
6 Days to Receive
Missouri:
None
 Wyoming:
None
Marriage License Expiration by State
Select States have expiration dates for the marriage license, after which the couple must reapply.
This map contains the duration of the marriage license for each State.
Does not Expire Expires in 6-12 Months Expires in 30-180 Days
Alabama:
30 Days
 Montana:
6 months
Alaska:
90 Days
 Nebraska:
1 Year
Arizona:
1 Year
 Nevada:
1 Year
Arkansas:
60 Days
 New Hampshire:
90 Days
California:
60 Days
 New Jersey:
30 Days
Colorado:
30 Days
 New Mexico:
No Expiration
Connecticut:
65 Days
 New York:
60 Days
Delaware:
30 Days
 North Carolina:
60 Days
Florida:
60 Days
 North Dakota:
60 Days
Georgia:
No Expiration
 Ohio:
60 Days
Hawaii:
30 Days
 Oklahoma:
10 Days
Idaho:
1 Year
 Oregon:
60 Days
Illinois:
60 Days
 Pennsylvania:
60 Days
Indiana:
60 Days
 Rhode Island:
90 Days
Iowa:
No Expiration
 South Carolina:
No Expiration
Kansas:
6 Months
 South Dakota:
20 Days
Kentucky:
30 Days
 Tennessee:
30 Days
Louisiana:
30 Days
 Texas:
27 Days
Maine:
90 Days
 Utah:
30 Days
Maryland:
6 months
 Vermont:
60 Days
Massachusetts:
60 Days
 Virginia:
60 Days
Michigan:
33 Days
 Washington:
60 Days
Minnesota:
6 months
 West Virginia:
60 Days
Mississippi:
90 Days
 Wisconsin:
30 Days
Missouri:
30 Days
 Wyoming:
No Expiration
Marriage License Return by State
Once completed, the marriage license must be returned to its office of issuance.
This map contains the deadline for returning the completed marriage license.
Return Before License Expires 11-60 Days from the Wedding 3-10 Days from the Wedding
Alabama:
Before Expiration
 Montana:
30 Days from Wedding
Alaska:
Before Expiration
 Nebraska:
15 Days from Wedding
Arizona:
20 Days from Wedding
 Nevada:
Before Expiration
Arkansas:
Before Expiration
 New Hampshire:
Before Expiration
California:
10 Days from Wedding
 New Jersey:
Before Expiration
Colorado:
60 Days from Wedding
 New Mexico:
90 Days from Wedding
Connecticut:
Before Expiration
 New York:
Before Expiration
Delaware:
Before Expiration
 North Carolina:
Before Expiration
Florida:
10 Days from Wedding
 North Dakota:
5 Days from Wedding
Georgia:
30 Days from Wedding
 Ohio:
30 Days from Wedding
Hawaii:
Before Expiration
 Oklahoma:
5 Days from Wedding
Idaho:
30 Days from Wedding
 Oregon:
10 Days from Wedding
Illinois:
10 Days from Wedding
 Pennsylvania:
10 Days from Wedding
Indiana:
Before Expiration
 Rhode Island:
Before Expiration
Iowa:
15 Days from Wedding
 South Carolina:
30 Days from Wedding
Kansas:
10 Days from Wedding
 South Dakota:
Before Expiration
Kentucky:
Before Expiration
 Tennessee:
3 Days from Wedding
Louisiana:
Before Expiration
 Texas:
10 Days from Wedding
Maine:
15 Days from Wedding
 Utah:
14 Days from Wedding
Maryland:
Before Expiration
 Vermont:
10 Days from Wedding
Massachusetts:
Before Expiration
 Virginia:
5 Days from Wedding
Michigan:
Before Expiration
 Washington:
Before Expiration
Minnesota:
5 Days from Wedding
 West Virginia:
Before Expiration
Mississippi:
Before Expiration
 Wisconsin:
3 Days from Wedding
Missouri:
90 Days from Wedding
 Wyoming:
Before Expiration
  • Performing Marriage
  • Getting Married
  • County Offices
Minister Licensing: There is no State licensing required of ministers performing marriage in California.
Further Action: Contact the County Clerk's office where the couple files for their marriage license.
Ask if there are further steps needed prior to completing the marriage license.
Performing Marriage: The couple must present their marriage license to the minister and necessary witnesses.
The minister must verify that the license is valid and that the information is correct.
The couple then Declares their Intent ("I do") and the minister completes the license.
Marriage License Return: Return the completed marriage license to the County Clerk within 10 days from the ceremony.
Performing Marriage Questions
Who can Perform Marriage
In the State of California, marriage may be performed by a priest, minister, rabbi, or authorized person of any religious organization. Marriage may also be celebrated by a deputized member of the public, judge, civil commissioner of marriage, United States magistrate, or select legislative representative.

The minister performing marriage does not need to be a California resident, though he or she must be at least 18 years old.

American Marriage Ministries ordains people who have been asked to perform marriage for friends and family. Our ordinations are recognized and in compliance with California State Law, enabling our ministers to confidently administer the official blessing of marriage for loved ones.
Applicable Law:

Minister Licensing Requirements
In California there is no statewide licensing required of ministers in order to perform marriage.

We recommend that our ministers speak with the County Clerk's office where the couple files for their marriage license. Most County Clerk's will not have additional requirements, however any may ask that the minister produce their credentials before completing the marriage license.

American Marriage Ministries ordains people for free, specifically to perform marriage for friends and family members. If our minister is not asked to take further steps through the County Clerk's office then they can perform the marriage at no cost to themselves or the couple. Alternatively our ministers are welcome to support us by purchasing hard copies of their ordination if requested by the California Government, couple, or simply to have as a keepsake.

The important part is that the marriage license is completed and returned as specified by the County Clerk's office and California State Law.
Applicable Law:

How to Perform Legal Marriage
In California there is no form that must be followed for a wedding ceremony; however a marriage must include a declaration of intent, the portion of the ceremony where the couple acknowledges their intent to wed. Traditionally this is recognized as the, "Do you take…?" "I do!" portion of the ceremony.

To legally solemnize marriage, the couple must present their marriage license to the minister and necessary witnesses. It is the duty of the minister to make sure that the license is currently valid and that the information it contains is accurate. Once satisfied of this, the minister must complete the license with necessary witness signatures and return the license to the County Clerk's Office within 10 days of the ceremony.

Once the license is filed with the County Clerk's Office the couple is officially married.
Applicable Law:

Marriage License Issuance: County Clerk's Office.
License Expiration: 60 days from issuance.
Waiting Period: There is no waiting period.
License Cost: $50 - 80.
Age of Marital Consent: 18.
Same Sex Marriages: Pending
Application for the Marriage License
Any unmarried man and woman, both at least 18 years old, can apply for a marriage license in California. Marriages involving a minor (under 18) are allowed, but require parental consent or a consenting court order. Same sex marriages are not recognized.

To apply for a marriage license a couple must appear together, in person, at a California County Clerk's Office. This will be the office that holds jurisdiction over where the marriage will take place. Applicants must bring valid identification (driver’s license, birth certificate, etc.) to confirm their identities.

A California Marriage License is valid for 60 days and has no waiting period before it can be completed.

It will cost $50 - 80, depending upon the county, to apply for the marriage license.
Applicable Law:
Completion of the Marriage License - Wedding Ceremony
In California there is no form that must be followed for a wedding ceremony; however a marriage must include a declaration of intent, the portion of the ceremony where the couple acknowledges their intent to wed. Traditionally this is recognized as the, "Do you take…?" "I do!" portion of the ceremony.

With American Marriage Ministries, a minister may celebrate marriage in accordance with a particular religious rite or create his or her own ceremony.

After the wedding ceremony, it is time to complete the marriage license. To do this, the newly-wed couple must present their license to the minister and witnesses. Each party must complete and sign their respective section(s) of the license.
Applicable Law:
Return of the Marriage License
A completed marriage license must be returned to its office of issuance, the County Clerk's Office. In all regions of California, the license must be returned within 10 days.

It is the responsibility of either the couple or the minister to return the marriage license. This responsibility can vary within California and is determined by each individual County Clerk's Office.

Once returned, the marriage has been legally filed. Congratulations!
Applicable Law:
TinyTable
Records - of

ID

County

Office

Street

City

State

Zip

Phone

Website

Map
1 Alameda County Clerk 1106 Madison St Oakland CA 94607 510-444-1396 Website Map
2 Alpine County Clerk P.O. Box 266 Markleeville CA 96120 530-694-2281 Website Map
3 Amador County Clerk 108 Court St Jackson CA 95642 209-223-6469 Website Map
4 Butte County Clerk 25 County Center Dr Oroville CA 95965 530-538-7691 Website Map
5 Calaveras County Clerk 891 Mountain Ranch Rd San Andreas CA 95249 209-754-6375 Website Map
6 Colusa County Clerk 546 Jay St Colusa CA 95932 530-458-0500 Website Map
7 Contra Costa County Clerk 725 Court St Martinez CA 94553 (925) 646-2950 Website Map
8 Del Norte County Clerk 457 F St Crescent City CA 95531 707-464-7216 Website Map
9 El Dorado County Clerk 360 Fair Ln Placerville CA 95667 530-621-5490 Website Map
10 Fresno County Clerk 2221 Kern St Fresno CA 93721 559-488-3003 Website Map
11 Fresno County Clerk 2221 Kern St Fresno CA 93721 559-488-3003 Website Map
12 Glenn County Recorder 526 West Sycamore St Willows CA 95988 530-934-6412 Website Map
13 Humboldt County Clerk 825 5th St Eureka CA 95501 707-445-7593 Website Map
14 Imperial County Clerk 940 West Main St El Centro CA 92243 760-482-4272 Website Map
15 Inyo County Clerk 168 North Edwards St Independence CA 93526 760-878-0222 Website Map
16 Kern County Clerk 1655 Chester Ave Bakersfield CA 93301 805-868-3588 Website Map
17 Kings County Clerk 1400 West Lacey Blvd Hanford CA 93230 559-582-3211 Website Map
18 Lake County Clerk 255 North Forbes St Lakeport CA 95453 707-263-2293 Website Map
19 Lassen County Clerk 220 South Lassen St Susanville CA 96130 530-251-8217 Website Map
20 Los Angeles County Clerk 12400 East Imperial Hwy Norwalk CA 90650 562-462-2137 Website Map
21 Madera County Clerk 209 West Yosemite Ave Madera CA 93637 209-675-7724 Website Map
22 Marin County Clerk Civic Center, Room 290 San Rafael CA 94903 415-499-6092 Website Map
23 Mariposa County Clerk 4982 10th St Mariposa CA 95338 209-966-2007 Website Map
24 Mendocino County Clerk 501 Low Gap Rd Ukiah CA 95482 707-463-4370 Website Map
25 Merced County Clerk 445 I Street Los Banos CA 93635 (209) 710-6040 Website Map
26 Modoc County Clerk 204 Court St, Suite 107 Alturas CA 96101 530-233-2512 Website Map
27 Mono County Clerk 74 School St Bridgeport CA 93517 760-932-5530 Website Map
28 Monterey County Clerk 168 West Alisal St Salinas CA 93901 831-755-5450 Website Map
29 Napa County Clerk 900 Coombs St Napa CA 94559 707-253-4246 Website Map
30 Nevada County Clerk 950 Maidu Ave Nevada City CA 95959 530-265-1221 Website Map
31 Orange County Clerk 12 Civic Center Plz # 101 Santa Ana CA 92701 714-834-2500 Website Map
32 Placer County Clerk 2956 Richardson Dr Auborn CA 95603 530-886-5650 Website Map
33 Plumas County Clerk 520 Main St # 102 Quincy CA 95971 530-283-6256 Website Map
34 Riverside County Clerk 82675 State Highway 111 Indio CA 92201 760-863-8732 Website Map
35 Sacramento County Clerk 600 8th St Sacramento CA 95814 916-874-6334 Website Map
36 San Benito County Clerk 440 5th St, Room 206 Hollister CA 95023 831-636-4029 Website Map
37 San Bernardino County Clerk 222 West Hospitality Ln San Bernardino CA 92415 909-387-8314 Website Map
38 San Diego County Clerk 1600 Pacific Hwy #273 San Diego CA 92101 619-237-0502 Website Map
39 San Francisco County Clerk 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl San Francisco CA 94102 415-554-4950 Website Map
40 San Joaquin County Clerk 6 S El Dorado St # 200 Stockton CA 95202 209-468-2362 Website Map
41 San Luis Obispo County Clerk 1055 Monterey St D120 San Luis Obispo CA 93408 805-781-5088 Website Map
42 San Mateo County Clerk 555 County Center Redwood City CA 94063 650-363-4500 Website Map
43 Santa Barbara County Clerk 401 East Cypress Ave Lompoc CA 93436 805-737-7705 Website Map
44 Santa Clara County Clerk 70 West Hedding St San Jose CA 95110 408-299-2481 Website Map
45 Santa Cruz County Clerk 701 Ocean St, Rm 230 Santa Cruz CA 95060 831-454-2800 Website Map
46 Shasta County Clerk 1643 Market St Redding CA 96001 530-225-5730 Website Map
47 County Clerk CA Website Map
48 Sierra County Clerk 100 Courthouse Sq # 11 Downieville CA 95936 530-289-3295 Website Map
49 Siskiyou County Clerk 510 North Main St Yreka CA 96097 530-842-8084 Website Map
50 Solano County Clerk 675 Texas Street Suite 1900 Fairfield CA 94533 707-784-7510 Website Map
51 Sonoma County Clerk 2300 County Center Dr Santa Rosa CA 95403 707-565-3700 Website Map
52 Stanislaus County Clerk 1021 I St Modesto CA 95354 209-525-5250 Website Map
53 Sutter County Clerk 433 2nd St Yuba City CA 95991 530-822-7120 Website Map
54 Tehama County Clerk 633 Washington St Red Bluff CA 96080 530-527-3287 Website Map
55 Trinity County Clerk 11 Court St Weaverville CA 96093 530-623-1222 Website Map
56 Tulare County Clerk 221 South Mooney Blvd Visalia CA 93291 559-636-5051 Website Map
57 Tuolumne County Clerk 2 South Green St Sonora CA 95370 209-533-5573 Website Map
58 Ventura County Clerk 800 South Victoria Ave Ventura CA 93009 805-654-2266 Website Map
59 Yolo County Clerk 625 Court St Woodland CA 95695 530-666-8130 Website Map
60 Yuba County Clerk 915 8th St Marysville CA 95901 530-749-7851 Website Map
Entries Per Page
Page of
2002
Ordained Ministers in California

Our ministers who have performed marriage in California have this to say:
Cari Harris
Performed Marriage
in San Bernardino County
on 21/8/2010
Posted: 08/27/2010 at 08:01am
I had the wonderful opportunity to become ordained online with American Marriage Ministries, and was able to officiate the wedding of my daughter! What an amazing experience for us all! It was a beautiful ceremony, tailored to her and her husband. It felt very personal and intimate. Thank you Americn Marriage Ministries for making this so easy!!
Terry Ogden
Performed Marriage
in Fresno County
on 17/7/2010
Posted: 07/31/2010 at 11:01am
This was my first experience performing a service. My regular job involves talking in front of large groups of people. So I have experience there, but I wasn't counting on the emotional experience this would be. The bride was from a family of neighbors and friends and was former student of mine. I first practiced with my son and daughter in law, and we discovered some things I needed to do while presenting the vows; I needed to keep the number of words to a few so that the nervous bride and groom wouldn't stumble. The vows the couple had chosen were beautiful but there were many lines. I also discovered some of the phrasing was awkward. I gave myself permission to change up some wording because even I was stumbling. The wedding rehearsal was awkward for everyone, and the weather forecast was for a scorcher. This was a backyard wedding. In addition, I have a tendency to lower the volume of my voice at the end of sentences. My wife volunteered to sit in the back row of chairs and signal me if my volume was dropping off. I was very nervous about a "mechanical" style delivery. On the wedding day, as I was standing waiting for the ceremony to begin, I decided to ask the crowd a question. I asked, "How is everyone doing?" There were positive responses all round. Then I asked, " Is anyone more nervous than me?" The bride's mother answered, "the bride." Next, the groomsmen filed in; and, a bevy of little girls began sprinkling rose petals on the ground. However they were on the wrong side of the podium. They spread them out in front of the groomsmen instead of the bridesmaids. That made everyone chuckle, and my nervousness washed away. I was in the zone and performed a perfect service. At one point the bride stumbled on the vows, and I prompted her. From then on I shortened the number of words I spoke first, and she sailed through the rest of the vows. It was a wonderful experience, and the mother of bride posted on Facebook that she highly recommended me because I injected love into the ceremony. The end to a perfect experience. Thank you AMM for providing me with this opportunity.
Sharon Connor
Performed Marriage
in Kern County
on 17/7/2010
Posted: 07/18/2010 at 08:05pm
It was a very humbling expierence. I think I was more nervous than the bride and groom. Thank good-ness it was my BFF. Thank you so muchfor having this service. We were facing many choices for my BFF to marry and not one of them was working out, so I was thrilled to find this service. It feels good to know that if another opportunity comes up for me to marry someone, I feel I now have to confidence and joy to do it. Thanks again
Minna E S Donatucci
Performed Marriage
in Orange County
on 20/6/2010
Posted: 07/12/2010 at 01:52pm
What a wonderful experience! I was honoured when my friend asked me to become ordained, and then to actually perform the ceremony, well, I was almost overwhelmed. I managed to keep it together though! The process is a fairly easy one. It takes 45 seconds to become ordained. Choosing the right package of paperwork required speaking with the bride, so we would have the right information for her, but it took no time at all. The only part that I felt confused about was the actual filing of the paperwork with the county. Once I figured out where to go (for me it was the County Register in Santa Ana), I went in and the the most helpful people were waiting there for me. I didn't even have to wait in a line, they just took the "Marriage License and Certificate" that the Bride and Groom had purchased and brought with the to the ceremony from me and that was that! It too took only 45 seconds! The only part they were confused about was that they thought I was the bride! After they figured out I was the Officiant, all was well. I called AMM just to make sure I was sending them the correct documents, and them mailed them. Poof. It's that easy. Now my friend is married, the proper people know, and she is in the process of changing her name. All is well in the world, and my job is done. Hurray!
Have you performed marriage? Share your exprience with others!
Login to post - - pw - -
American Marriage Ministries 330 24th Ave E. Seattle, WA 98112 Phone: (206) 395-9164 Fax: (206) 407-3495