My friend got ordained through an online site, is this acceptable for him to perform a marriage or does he need to do something else?
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My friend got ordained through an online site, is this acceptable for him to perform a marriage or does he need to do something else?
Asked on September 5, 2012 under Family Law, Wisconsin
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
It is my understanding that Wisconsin no longer requires registering with the county clerk in order for the party ordained to legally perform marriages. According to Wisconsin state statute 765.16, an officiant is "any ordained member of the clergy of any religious denomination or society who continues to be an ordained member of the clergy," and "any licentiate of a denominational body or an appointee of any bishop serving as the regular member of the clergy of any church of the denomination to which the member of the clergy belongs, if not restrained from so doing by the discipline of the church or denomination." I would have your friend carry what ever they have received to prove that they are an Officiant of the Church that ordained them when performing a ceremony. Good luck.
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