Officiant Qualifications

[supernic]

I would like a friend to officiate our wedding.  She was ordained online.  I've called the county clerk (Bay County) twice to find out if an online ordination qualifies her as "any ordained or licensed clergy, notary publics, and justices of the peace" as per the information listed on the county clerk's website.  Unfortunately, no one has called me back.  Can anyone help?  I don't want to find out in 30 years that we aren't legally married. 

[tanikwish]

I'd say your best bet if you'd like your friend to marry you is to have him or her become a notary public. I am one here in South Carolina. You can only officially marry people as a notary public in FL and SC, so you are in luck! It is super easy and fast to become one. Basically register, pay a very small fee and boom that's it! Essentially your friend would be responsible for filing the paperwork but it is absolutely "official", so no worries in 30 years.

 

http://notaries.dos.state.fl.us/ - Information on becoming a notary in FL

[tanikwish]

Oh, wanted to add - just did a cursory search - Florida has an interesting notary education process that you have to go through as a first time notary. So that would require three hours of your friend's time. Still totally worth it!

[MoniqueJ]

My best friend was ordained here in LA, but we're getting married in Key West.  I spoke with someone at the clerk of court's office in Key West and she said as long as they are ordained then they can do the ceremony and don't need any special certifications.