How to get Ordained in Northern Mariana Islands to Officiate
Written and reviewed by the wedding law liaison team at the Universal Life Church.
Welcome to the Northern Mariana Islands marriage laws guide. Being the officiant at a wedding is a great honor and responsibility - which is why we've assembled this page to give guidance to ministers and couples. To ensure everything goes as planned on the big day, we encourage you to follow the steps laid out below. The page will explain how to become a wedding minister, how to marry someone, and how to ensure that the ceremony is legal on the Northern Mariana Islands.
Here are the basic steps to follow for officiating a wedding:
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Getting Ordained in Northern Mariana Islands
The process of becoming a wedding officiant is easier than you might think with the Universal Life Church. You can get ordained for free online in seconds through our website. We don't believe in putting barriers between you and your spirituality. Our ministers perform countless marriages throughout the United States and its territories each year. You can start performing ceremonies too! Just click on the button below to get started.
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How Do You Perform a Wedding in Northern Mariana Islands
Before you begin, we advise that you contact the Office of the Mayor of Saipan. Identify yourself as a minister and ask what documents you will need to provide to the officials. You may be asked to show numerous items to verify that your ordination status is valid. Any documents or materials you might require can be found in the Minister Store here on our site.
Office of the Mayor Saipan
P.O.Box 501457
CTC Building Oleai,Teer Dive
Saipan 96950
670 234 6208 -
Northern Mariana Islands Wedding Officiant Requirements
As soon as you've spoken with your county's marriage officials, simply visit our website, sign in to your account, and order whatever materials you need via our online catalog. In the Northern Mariana Islands we recommend picking up a Classic Wedding Set as well as the Official Letter of Good Standing.
In general, ministers are not required to register in the commonwealth. That being said, it's not entirely uncommon for the office to ask for proof of your ordination before giving the "go-ahead" to perform marriage ceremonies. Plus, it gives the couple peace of mind knowing that their wedding minister has all the proper official documents, like your embossed and signed ordination certificate, on hand. As requested by officials, we recommend that you please order your materials well in advance of the ceremony. -
How to Get a Northern Mariana Islands Marriage License
Northern Mariana Islands's Top Wedding Venue
Hyatts White Sands ChapelIn the Northern Mariana Islands, the couple will need to get the marriage license from the Office of the Mayor themselves. While it is the couples's responisiblity to get the license, as the officiant you should be aware of the process as well to ensure the ceremony is legally binding. The couple will need to submit an application for the marriage license and will need to bring several notarized documents with them as well. They should contact the office well in advance to confirm the exact documents to bring with them when submitting the marriage license application.
Once the couple obtains the marriage license it will be good for 60 days. Once the marriage is complete the license needs to be returned within 10 days of the ceremony. -
How Do You Officiate a Wedding?
Once all the paperwork out of the way, you're finally ready to perform wedding ceremonies! If you need any guidance in this area, please don't hesitate to review the other guides linked below. These carefully-tailored resources provide helpful information and tips on all aspects of performing a successful wedding ceremony and can provide some advanced guidance where necessary. Constructed especially with our wedding officiants in mind, they contain everything you'll need to plan the perfect ceremony.
Many ULC ministers have used these same resources for guidance when becoming professional officiants too! -
Signing the Marriage License in Northern Mariana Islands
Now there's just one last step - but it's an important one! After performing the wedding, you must sign the marriage license (along with the couple and their witnesses). Your official title will be "Minister"; for ceremony type, put "Religious", and for denomination, write "Non-Denominational". You will need to return the completed license to the clerk of courts of the Commonwealth Trial Court within 10 days of the wedding.
For the address of ministry, list your personal ministry or home address. Do not put the address of ULC's main office. You should also keep a record of the couple's names, address, and the date of the ceremony. Finally, remember that the signed marriage license must be turned in to the clerk before the deadline passes!
Northern Mariana Islands Marriage Laws
Northern Mariana Islands marriage laws are governed by Chapter 2 of Title 8 of the code for the Northern Mariana Islands. This section explains who is legally authorized to officiate weddings in this U.S. territory. Among those with authorization are ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church. The relevant section is displayed below:
Title 8 Division 1 Chapter 2 Article 1
§ 1203. Two Noncitizens or Noncitizen and Citizen; Requisites of MarriageContract; Ceremony.
The presence of two witnesses, at least, is required for the celebration of a marriage between two noncitizens or between a noncitizen and a citizen of the Trust Territory. The marriage ceremony shall be performed in the Commonwealth. The marriage rite may be performed and solemnized by an ordained minister, a judge, the Governor or by any person authorized by law to perform marriages, upon presentation to that person of a license to marry as prescribed in 8 CMC § 1202. The person solemnizing a marriage may receive a fee to be stipulated by the parties, or the gratification tendered.
