Arkansas Wedding Laws
What to expect when officiating a wedding.
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Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: None
The minister and both members of the couple must be physically present. The ceremony must include the couple’s verbal consent (“I do”) and the minister’s pronouncement of marriage. The rest of the ceremony may be customized to the couple’s preferences.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 years (17 with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Couples must be 18+ to marry or 17 with parental consent. There are no residency requirements, and same-sex marriages are fully recognized.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Credentials of Ministry
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
Ministers must be 18+ and ordained through Ministries of Love. They must register their credentials at the County Clerk’s office before officiating. Registration steps and required documents may vary by county, but typically include ordination credentials and potentially a letter of good standing. Once registered, the minister will receive a certificate and possibly a registration number.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: None (5 days for minors)
- License Validity: 60 Days
- Submission Deadline: By Expiration
Marriage licenses are valid statewide for 60 days. Licenses must be returned whether or not the wedding occurs. No waiting period applies except for minors, who have a 5-day waiting period.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: None
The minister and both members of the couple must be physically present. The ceremony must include the couple’s verbal consent (“I do”) and the minister’s pronouncement of marriage. The rest of the ceremony may be customized to the couple’s preferences.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 years (17 with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Couples must be 18+ to marry or 17 with parental consent. There are no residency requirements, and same-sex marriages are fully recognized.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Credentials of Ministry
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
Ministers must be 18+ and ordained through Ministries of Love. They must register their credentials at the County Clerk’s office before officiating. Registration steps and required documents may vary by county, but typically include ordination credentials and potentially a letter of good standing. Once registered, the minister will receive a certificate and possibly a registration number.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious
- Waiting Period: None (5 days for minors)
- License Validity: 60 Days
- Submission Deadline: By Expiration
Marriage licenses are valid statewide for 60 days. Licenses must be returned whether or not the wedding occurs. No waiting period applies except for minors, who have a 5-day waiting period.