How to get Ordained in Massachusetts to Officiate

Written and reviewed by the wedding law liaison team at the Universal Life Church.

Welcome to the marriage laws guide for Massachusetts. Officiating a wedding is an incredible honor, but as one might expect, presiding over this important ceremony also comes with plenty of responsibility. That's why we've created this page - to give both couples and ministers an idea of what will need to happen to make the big day a success. Below we'll cover how to become a wedding minister, how to marry someone, and how to make sure the ceremony is legal in Massachusetts.

Here are the five basic steps to officiate a wedding:

State Seal Of Massachusetts

  1. Getting Ordained in Massachusetts

    Getting ordained as a marriage officiant is a surprisingly simple process. Online ordination with the Universal Life Church is not only fast - it's completely free! Once you obtain your minister license, officiating a wedding is easy. In fact legally licensed ministers of the ULC perform tons of marriages in Massachusetts each year. Just click the button below to get started.

  2. How Do You Perform a Wedding in Massachusetts

    Massachusetts requires all ministers to register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth in order to officiate marriages, and there are different registration processes for resident ministers and out-of-state ministers.

    Below, you will find copies of the applications both for in-state and out-of-state ministers. Please be sure to select the correct application, then complete and send it in to the address listed on the document.

    Massachusetts Resident Clergy Form
    Massachusetts Out of State Clergy Form

    You are also advised, per these applications, to include copies of your ministerial credentials and a Letter of Good Standing. These items are available in our minister store, and you can learn more about requesting those important documents by continuing on to the next section of this page.

  3. Massachusetts Wedding Officiant Requirements

    As you prepare your application to the Secretary of the Commonwealth and determine which documents you need, simply place an order for those items here on our website. Most of our ministers in Massachusetts decide to order a Classic Wedding Set and an Official Letter of Good Standing.

    The primary reason for obtaining these documents is to provide proof of ordination to state marriage officials. However, having a certified copy of your ordination certificate on hand will also give some much-deserved peace of mind to the couple. We recommend you order your materials well in advance of the ceremony to ensure sure that they arrive on time.

    Classic Wedding Set

    Classic Wedding Set

    Ceremonial Minister Stole

    Ceremonial Minister Stole

    Short Sleeve Minister Shirt

    Short Sleeve Minister Shirt

  4. How to Get a Massachusetts Marriage License

    Willowdale Estate

    Massachusetts's Top Wedding Venue
    Willowdale Estate

    In Massachusetts, marriage licenses are issued at the town/city level. These are obtained by the couple in advance of the wedding ceremony, and then signed and returned by the minister after the marriage has been solemnized. It is important to note there are strict timelines that must be observed in requesting and returning these important documents, and that different areas may have slightly varying processes.

    Typically, Massachusetts marriage licenses are valid for up to 60 days. However, the couple must wait a minimum of 3 days after receiving the license before a ceremony can legally be performed. After the wedding, the signed marriage license must be returned before the listed expiration date.

    To get contact information for the government office that issues marriage licenses in your area, or to learn more about performing weddings in your specific Massachusetts town or city, please select a location from the dropdown menu below.

  5. How Do You Officiate a Wedding?

    Once the paperwork has been squared away, you're ready to perform the wedding! We realize this can be a daunting task, so don't hesitate to utilize the tools linked below. These specially-tailored resources provide information and tips on all aspects of performing a wedding ceremony. Created especially for ULC wedding officiants, they contain everything you'll need to craft the perfect ceremony.

  6. Signing the Marriage License in Massachusetts

    Now for the final and most important step! After performing the wedding, you and the couple must sign the marriage license. Some licenses have an "officiant" section; if this is the case, follow these pointers when filling it out: Your official title will be "Minister"; for ceremony type, list "Religious"; under denomination, write "Non-Denominational". If it ask for an address of ministry, list your personal ministry or home address. Do not put the address of ULC. Lastly, don't forget that the signed license must be turned in to the marriage office before the deadline!

Massachusetts Marriage Laws

Marriage laws are governed by Chapter 207 of Title III of the state code. This section explains who is legally authorized to officiate weddings in the State of Massachusetts; among those with authorization are ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church. The relevant excerpt is displayed below:

State Flag Of Massachusetts

Universal Citation: MA Gen L ch 207 § 19 (2019) Section 19. Persons intending to be joined in marriage in the commonwealth shall, not less than three days before their marriage, jointly cause notice of their intention to be filed in the office of the clerk or registrar of any city or town in the commonwealth, and pay the fee provided by clause (42) of section thirty-four of chapter two hundred and sixty-two. In computing the three day period specified in this section and in determining the third day referred to in section twenty-eight, Sundays and holidays shall be counted.

View the Massachusetts Statutes on the official government state website.

Is it Legal For You to Perform a Massachusetts Wedding?

Review the Marriage Law

Want to Learn More about Ministry in Massachusetts?

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