The Officiant

Who Can Marry People?

In New Jersey and many states : local, state, and federal judges of the state, retired judges of the state, county surrogates and clerks, mayors and even deputy mayors when their mayors authorize it, chairman of any township committees or village presidents, ministers of every religion and all religious societies, institutions, or organizations according to their rules and customs.

Must there be a ceremony and must I say “I do” for it to be legal?

Generally, yes, you must say something like “I do.” This is considered the “declaration of intent” which confirms that you desire and agree to get married. In some states you might be able to simply sign a marriage contract in front of a judge, have him or her acknowledge it, and have witnesses sign the contract. When you have a ceremony, the marriage certificate, properly signed and filed, replaces the need for a separate marriage contract.

Online ordination.

Sites abound online that will ordain ministers just so they can marry their friends or loved ones. Are these legit? They may be. We can’t confirm as to any particular service but in some states, you just need a “minister of every religion and all religious societies, institutions or organizations according to their rules and customs.”