Massachusetts Wedding Laws
What to expect when officiating a wedding.
Get Ordained
Steps to Perform a Wedding in Massachusetts
1. Minister Eligibility
To officiate weddings in Massachusetts, ministers must:
- Be 18 years old or older.
- Be ordained by a recognized religious body, such as Ministries of Love.
- Register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth prior to the ceremony by submitting:
- Ordination Credential.
- Letter of Good Standing.
- Pay a registration fee of $20–$25, depending on whether the application is submitted electronically or in person.
2. Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage by Proxy: Not allowed.
- Minister Presence: Required.
- Witnesses: Not required.
- Consent and Pronouncement:
- The couple must verbally confirm their intent to marry.
- The minister must pronounce them as legally married.
The ceremony can be fully customized beyond these legal elements.
3. Marriage License Requirements
What the Couple Needs to Know:
- Who Picks Up the License: The couple.
- Where It’s Valid: Only in the county or city of issuance.
- Pick-Up: In person.
- Cost: Varies by county.
- Identification: Birth certificates or passports are typically required.
- Proof of Divorce: Not required.
- Blood Tests: Not required.
4. Marriage License Facts
- Waiting Period: 3 days between application and license issuance.
- Validity: 60 days from the date of issuance.
- Return Deadline: The minister must return the completed license to the issuing clerk before the expiration date.
5. Perform the Wedding Ceremony
The officiant must ensure:
- The couple and officiant are physically present during the ceremony.
- The couple formally declares their intent to marry.
- The officiant pronounces the couple as married.
Witnesses are not legally required in Massachusetts.
6. Return the Marriage License
After the ceremony:
- The officiant must complete the officiant’s section of the marriage certificate, including:
- Full legal name.
- Title: Minister.
- Ordaining body: Ministries of Love.
- Address: The officiant’s home address.
- Confirm that the couple has correctly filled out their portions of the license.
- Return the marriage certificate to the issuing county clerk before the 60-day expiration.
Errors on the certificate may require costly corrections or a new license.
Additional Notes
- Residency: No residency requirement for the couple or officiant.
- Age Restrictions: Applicants must be at least 18 years old unless court and guardian consent are obtained for 17-year-olds.
- Marriage Equality: Same-sex marriages are legally recognized.
- Kinship Restrictions: Marriages closer than first cousins are prohibited.
Quick Facts for Wedding Officiants in Massachusetts
-
Ministries of Love Ordination Accepted: Yes
-
Minister Registration Required: Yes
-
Minister’s Residency: Not Required
-
Minister’s Minimum Age: 18 Years Old
-
Marriage License Waiting Period: 3 Days
-
Marriage License Valid For: 60 Days
-
Marriage License Return Deadline: Before Expiration
Steps to Perform a Wedding in Massachusetts
1. Minister Eligibility
To officiate weddings in Massachusetts, ministers must:
- Be 18 years old or older.
- Be ordained by a recognized religious body, such as Ministries of Love.
- Register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth prior to the ceremony by submitting:
- Ordination Credential.
- Letter of Good Standing.
- Pay a registration fee of $20–$25, depending on whether the application is submitted electronically or in person.
2. Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage by Proxy: Not allowed.
- Minister Presence: Required.
- Witnesses: Not required.
- Consent and Pronouncement:
- The couple must verbally confirm their intent to marry.
- The minister must pronounce them as legally married.
The ceremony can be fully customized beyond these legal elements.
3. Marriage License Requirements
What the Couple Needs to Know:
- Who Picks Up the License: The couple.
- Where It’s Valid: Only in the county or city of issuance.
- Pick-Up: In person.
- Cost: Varies by county.
- Identification: Birth certificates or passports are typically required.
- Proof of Divorce: Not required.
- Blood Tests: Not required.
4. Marriage License Facts
- Waiting Period: 3 days between application and license issuance.
- Validity: 60 days from the date of issuance.
- Return Deadline: The minister must return the completed license to the issuing clerk before the expiration date.
5. Perform the Wedding Ceremony
The officiant must ensure:
- The couple and officiant are physically present during the ceremony.
- The couple formally declares their intent to marry.
- The officiant pronounces the couple as married.
Witnesses are not legally required in Massachusetts.
6. Return the Marriage License
After the ceremony:
- The officiant must complete the officiant’s section of the marriage certificate, including:
- Full legal name.
- Title: Minister.
- Ordaining body: Ministries of Love.
- Address: The officiant’s home address.
- Confirm that the couple has correctly filled out their portions of the license.
- Return the marriage certificate to the issuing county clerk before the 60-day expiration.
Errors on the certificate may require costly corrections or a new license.
Additional Notes
- Residency: No residency requirement for the couple or officiant.
- Age Restrictions: Applicants must be at least 18 years old unless court and guardian consent are obtained for 17-year-olds.
- Marriage Equality: Same-sex marriages are legally recognized.
- Kinship Restrictions: Marriages closer than first cousins are prohibited.