How to Complete a Marriage License

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How to Complete a Marriage License

It is the ministers duty to complete the marriage license with the couple, and any required
witnesses. Marriage Licenses vary from state to state, even county to county, so it is important to
read carefully. Here we review the forms that may appear on the marriage license, but note that not
all licenses will contain these forms.

Officiant Title
If the marriage license asks for your Title, write "Minister".
When you become ordained with American Marriage Ministries, you are accepted into our church as a
minister. It is with this title, Minister, that you have the authority to perform marriage.

Church Affiliation
If the marriage license asks for your Church, write "American Marriage Ministries".
As a minister with AMM you are able to perform marriage with any religious rite or practice, but when
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How to Complete a Marriage License

doing so you are still acting as a minister of American Marriage Ministries. We can not give you the
authority to act as a representative of any other church.

Religious Denomination
If the marriage license asks for your Denomination, write "Non-Denominational", unless the marriage was
celebrated in accordance with a specific denominational rite, which you should specify.
By performing marriage as an AMM minister, you are acting as a representative of American Marriage
Ministries, a non-denominational and interfaith church. For this reason "Non-Denominational" is usually
the most appropriate response. If your ceremony was celebrated with the tradition of a specific
denomination, you should specify this (eg. Baptist). Additionally, there are a few counties that will not
allow ministers to specify "Non-Denominational", if you are informed of this by your local county clerk,
write "American Marriage Ministries".

Ceremony Type
The license may ask whether the wedding was Civil or Religious. Unless otherwise specified, you should
mark: Religious
Even if you perform a ceremony that is secular in nature, you will be doing so in your capacity as a
minister, a Religious official. In general, a wedding is only registered as Civil when it has been performed
by a judge or other officer of the court.

Witness Requirements
Many states require that 1 - 2 witnesses also sign the marriage license.
It is a requirement in many states that a witness, or pair of witnesses, also sign the marriage license. The
witness(es) must complete their required fields on the license and sign the document. Traditionally this is
done by the maid of honor and/or best man.

Marriage License Return

The marriage license must be returned by the state-mandated deadline.
Depending on the state, it can be the responsibility of the couple or the minister to return the completed
marriage license. The license must be returned to the office from which it was issued, or to another
approved government office, in person or via the mail. The marriage will not be legally binding until the
license has been recorded by the state.

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How to Complete a Marriage License

Sample Marriage License

This is a California Marriage License. Marriage licenses vary across the

country; the license you complete will vary slightly from this one.

How it Works
FAQ

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How to Complete a Marriage License

State Requirements
US Marriage Laws
Ceremony Format
Sample Ceremony
Ceremony Scripts
How to Complete a Marriage License
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