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STATE RECOGNITION

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The below information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county register of deeds before making any wedding or travel plans.

Alabama

Ministers may perform wedding ceremonies according to Section 30-1-7 of the Alabama code with proper GUTK credentials. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Alaska

With proper GUTK credentials; Ministers may perform wedding ceremonies as a licensed marriage officiate in compliance with Alaska Statute AS 25.05.261. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Arizona

With proper GUTK credentials; you may perform wedding ceremonies according to Title 25-124 (B) of the Arizona Revised Statutes, which states that 'licensed or ordained clergymen' includes ministers, elders or other persons who by the customs, rules and regulations of a religious society or sect are authorized or permitted to solemnize marriages or to officiate at marriage ceremonies." Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Arkansas

As a GUTK Minister you may perform wedding ceremonies according to Section 9-11-213 of the Arkansas statutes. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

California

Properly credentialed Ministers of GUTK may perform wedding ceremonies according to Section 400 of the California code (FAM). Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Colorado

As a properly credentialed GUTK Minister you may perform wedding ceremonies as permitted by Colorado statute 14-2-109 (1), which states "A marriage may be solemnized ... by the parties to the marriage, or in accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination or Indian nation or tribe." Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Connecticut

With proper GUTK credentials GUTK Minister you may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Connecticut. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Delaware

As a properly credentialed GUTK Minister you may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Delaware. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

District of Columbia

See information under Washington, D.C.

Florida

Minister’s may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Florida with proper GUTK credentials. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Georgia

With proper GUTK credentials you may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Georgia. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Hawaii

Properly credentialed Ministers of GUTK may perform wedding ceremonies in Hawaii; however, in addition to obtaining your required ministerial credential, you must also register to obtain a license from the Hawai‘i Department of Health before performing marriages. In addition:

Ministers must keep a record of all marriages they perform in Hawaii.
Ministers must report all marriages they perform to the Hawaii Department of Health.
Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Idaho

Ministers may perform wedding ceremonies (according to Idaho Statute Title 32, Chapters 3 and 4); with proper GUTK credentials. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Illinois

As an official GUTK Minister you may perform wedding ceremonies according to Chapter 750 of the Illinois Code. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Indiana

According to Indiana State Code 31-11-6-1; properly credentialed GUTK Ministers may legally perform wedding ceremonies. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Iowa

Ministers may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Iowa with proper GUTK credentials. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Kansas

In accordance with Kansas Statute 23-104a; Ministers properly credentialed through GUTK may perform wedding ceremonies. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Kentucky

With proper credentials issued by GUTK; Ministers may perform wedding ceremonies in accordance with Kentucky Revised Statutes 402.050 and 402.070. Please note that Ministers in the State of Kentucky must comply with KRS 402.090. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Louisiana

Ministers with proper GUTK credentials may perform wedding ceremonies in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 9 §202 ("Authority to perform marriage ceremony"). All Officiants must complete a notarized affidavit and register with their local parish clerk's office prior to solemnizing marriages in Louisiana. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Maine

Properly credentialed GUTK Ministers may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Maine according to Title 19A, Chapter 23, Paragraph 655. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Maryland

In the State of Maryland, any properly credentialed GUTK Minister over 18 can sign as clergy. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Massachusetts

After obtaining the proper credentials Ministers registering in the State of Massachusetts may send GUTK a “Request to Register (MA)”. GUTK will then register Minister with the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office as a licensed/ ordained Minister; as to gain legal authority to perform ceremonies within the State. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Michigan

Properly credentialed GUTK Ministers (resident/ non-resident Ministers) may solemnize marriages in the State of Michigan in accordance to the following: (a) federal, probate, district, and municipal judges, and district court magistrates, in their court area; (b) mayors, in their city; (c) Wayne County clerks; (d) ministers of the gospel, anywhere in the state, "if the minister is ordained or authorized to solemnize marriages according to the usages of the denomination, and is a pastor of a church in this state, or continues to preach the gospel in this state"; and (a) non-resident ministers of the gospel, anywhere in the state, if the minister is authorized to solemnize marriages by his or her state's laws. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Minnesota

Ministers may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Minnesota with proper GUTK credentials. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Mississippi

With proper GUTK credentials you may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Mississippi. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Missouri

With proper credentials issued by GUTK; Ministers may perform wedding ceremonies in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Montana

Minister’s may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Montana with proper GUTK credentials. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Nebraska

According to the State of Nebraska; properly credentialed GUTK Ministers may legally perform wedding ceremonies within the State. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Nevada

Minister’s may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Nevada with proper GUTK credentials. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

New Hampshire

In accordance with the laws of the State of New Hampshire; properly credentialed GUTK Ministers may legally perform wedding ceremonies. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

New Jersey

According to N.J.S. Chapter 37, Paragraph 1-13 of New Jersey Department of State; properly credentialed GUTK Ministers may legally perform weddings within the State. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

New Mexico

With proper credentials issued by GUTK; Ministers may perform wedding ceremonies in accordance with the laws of the State of New Mexico. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

New York

With proper GUTK credentials you may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of New York. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

North Carolina

Minister’s may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of North Carolina with proper GUTK credentials. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

North Dakota

According to the State of North Dakota; properly credentialed GUTK Ministers may legally perform wedding ceremonies within the State. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Ohio

In the State of Ohio, any properly credentialed GUTK Minister may perform wedding ceremonies legally within the State. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Oklahoma

According to the State of Oklahoma; properly credentialed GUTK Ministers may legally perform wedding ceremonies within the State. SPECIAL PROVISION: In order to perform ceremonies within Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, you must register in advance with the District Court in Tahlequah.

Oregon

With proper GUTK credentials you may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Oregon. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Pennsylvania

Properly credentialed GUTK Ministers may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Pennsylvania. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Puerto Rico

With proper GUTK credentials Ministers are permitted to perform wedding ceremonies. Ministers must, however, confirm their eligibility and local regulations with the Demographic Registry Office in Santurce at least sixty days in advance of the wedding to confirm eligibility to perform wedding ceremonies anywhere in Puerto Rico.

Rhode Island

According to the State of Rhode Island; properly credentialed GUTK Ministers may legally perform wedding ceremonies within the State. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

South Carolina

With proper GUTK credentials you may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of South Carolina. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

South Dakota

In the State of South Dakota, any properly credentialed GUTK Minister may perform wedding ceremonies legally within the State. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Tennessee

Minister’s may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Tennessee with proper GUTK credentials. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Texas

With proper credentials issued by GUTK; Ministers may perform wedding ceremonies in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions..

Utah

In accordance with the laws of the State of Utah; properly credentialed GUTK Ministers may legally perform wedding ceremonies. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Vermont

GUTK Ministers may perform weddings if Minister has received proper ordination/ license credentials and is a resident of Vermont. If you are not a resident of Vermont, please request ordination in your home state and contact the State of Vermont or your county clerk for the required non-resident form; and other procedural instructions.

Virginia

As a GUTK license/ ordained Minister you may perform weddings in accordance with Title 20-23 of the Code of the State of Virginia. Some jurisdictions within the Commonwealth may request a Letter Of Good Standing or additional credentials that are only available in the Supreme Ministry Package.

Virgin Islands (U.S. Territory)

According to U.S. Virgin Island regulations; properly credentialed GUTK Ministers may legally perform wedding ceremonies within V.I. Please check with your local authorities for procedural instructions.

Washington (State)

With proper GUTK credentials you may perform wedding ceremonies in Washington State. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Washington, D.C.

Within Washington, DC; any properly credentialed GUTK Minister may perform wedding ceremonies legally within the District. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

West Virginia

In the State of West Virginia, any properly credentialed GUTK Minister may perform wedding ceremonies legally within the State. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Wisconsin

Permanent residents of Wisconsin may perform wedding ceremonies with proper GUTK credentials. Please note that GUTK may not be able to provide support for non-resident ministers in Wisconsin. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Wyoming

Minister’s may perform wedding ceremonies in the State of Wyoming with proper GUTK credentials. Please check with your local town or county clerk for procedural instructions.

Outside the United States

We welcome ceremonial Ministers in service around the world! Ordination is a personal matter between the Minister and God and is not subject to any local laws. However, there may be other laws or requirements that must be adhered to in local cities and towns, which are the responsibility of the wedding officiate. If you reside outside the United States, you may request ordination from GUTK.

We Are Here To Help You

GUTK (a non-profit church association) provides assistance to our licensed ministers in getting their paperwork in line so they are able to officiate a wedding in any U.S. state. Some states may require special documentation and credentials. Nevertheless, all states have laws regulating marriage officiator’s and may require that you first register with their state office before legally performing marriages. It is your responsibility as a Minister to have knowledge of all applicable laws and to operate your ministry accordingly.

Wedding Minister Requirements

Marriage laws vary for Ministers from state to state. Simply check the marriage laws of the state you'll be performing a wedding in, and purchase the required certificate or state license to perform the said wedding.

Some states may require that you receive your minister credentials through a reputable establishment, and others may require specific credentials of ministry to perform a wedding. If you are seeking to officiate weddings outside of your state of residence; you may also need what’s called a “visiting minister” license. GUTK will soon offer minister training to help new ministers prepare for weddings and other ceremonies.

Marriage Laws By State

As a licensed ministers you are able to legally officiate weddings in all 50 States; and GUTK is here to provide you with all the required documentation necessary to get your ministry operating legally.

Under the terms of your GUTK ministers license, you are required to familiarize yourself with state, county and municipal codes in the area in which you plan to conduct your ministry and sacred ceremonial services. You are also required to comply with any and all such laws, regulations and statutes. Below is a general outline of marriage requirements state-to-state (please check with your local town or county clerk for current procedural instructions):