|
Here is a plain-English summary of the questions I am asked most frequently about, or see incorrectly described on other sites, and they all have to do with concerns about credentialing and legal compliance.
The law says (link below): Marriages may be performed by federal, probate, district, and municipal judges, and district court magistrates, in their court area; mayors, in their city; County clerks; ministers and pastors of the gospel, both resident and non-resident. The Michigan Statutes also have a provision that allows for marriages to "be solemnized in the manner heretofore used and practiced in their respective societies or denominations."
The above (in bold) is exactly what it says, no more, no less. But for a simple rule, people try to complicate it a lot! These are the concerns I see most often...
Method of ordination: Some sites will try to scare you (usually into using their services) with articles about states that have outlawed future marriages those who were ordained online or by specific churches. However, at the risk of stating the obvious, you're not getting married in Pennsylvania. You're getting married in Michigan. To be sure, I wrote to my state respresentative in 2008 to verify. Rep. Jack Hoogendyk assured me in a letter that there is no such legislation in place. However, even if there were, Michigan law protects people who marry in good faith (link below), and declares their marriage valid. This should ease your mind of any concerns.
Active church assignment: Having a church assignment or congregation is not a requirement according to the Michigan state law. Hundreds of retired ministers perform weddings every year in Michigan. Some newly ordained or graduated ministers may be waiting for church assignments. Some have ministries online, or in other nontraditional formats.
Licensing, Incorporation, and the IRS: Some officiants claim to be "licensed". Unless the certification they receive from their ordaining organization is referred to as a license, I would question it. Michigan state's occupational license division (link below) clearly states that Michigan does not issue licenses for ministers. Further, the Michigan state website says: An ordained minister of the gospel recognized by a church may perform marriages whether or not the church has filed a charter with the Corporation Division. (Which would be an official declaration to the state of a church's existence, so to speak. Many small churches choose not to incorporate for their own reasons.) Additionally, IRS 501(c)3 status is not an indication of whether a church is a church... it is an indication of if the church meets criteria to be a non-profit. Tax status is not something that is relevant to the services required in performing a marriage.
Where do I fall in all this?: I have to say, I was procrastinating writing this page for a long time. It stinks to feel like you have to defend yourself! But hey, if my hairdresser has to hang her license where I can see it, why should I feel any less transparent? So, in the interests of perfect clarity: I have studied religion since I was 16 years old. I was originally ordained though an online church, and reordained through a small, currently non-incorporated fledgling church started by myself and my partner. I also teach Sunday School at a different church. I have performed dozens of weddings - all legal - in Michigan and Indiana. I will be delighted to perform your 100% legal and valid wedding as well. I hope that puts your mind at ease!
Links
|
