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FAQs

Common Marriage Questions

A wedding officiant owns a degree allowing him to officiate. An ordained minister is ordained by a church, officiates at weddings, and can do other church activities. A person can be both an officiant and a minister. A Justice of the Peace (JP) is a public official authorized to perform various legal functions, one of which is officiating at weddings. 

To be married in Massachusetts: there is a 3-day waiting period from the date you apply to when you can pick up the license. Both people must be present to apply. Your license must be obtained in Massachusetts for use in MA and valid for 60 days. 

If you need to get your license in less than three days, you must appear before a judge. For specific information, contact a City or town Clerk. 

After the ceremony, your license, signed by both of you and the Officiant, must be promptly filed with a Town/ City Clerk in Massachusetts. If it is not filed within 60 days of issuance, your marriage may be deemed invalid.

Although you can choose to have one or two people act in the traditional role of witnesses ( a best man or woman, maid of honor, or similar title ) at your wedding ceremony, witnesses are not required in Massachusetts. 

Every state has very specific requirements about who can officiate at a wedding, as well as an application and approval process. Caution is urged to follow the rules as not doing so can result in severely disrupting your big day and the validity of your marriage.

Please check with both the state you live in and the state that you are being married in for details

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