I Was Asked To Perform A Marriage Ceremony But Don't Know I'm Qualified (page 2)

minimus

thanks, sail away..it makes perfect sense. It's been a long time since I married a couple as an elder, over a decade ago. It was always in massach

usetts.

happy@last

"I married my brother" I actually gave the talk and did the vows but it always gets some concerned looks if I say that in a crowded room.

I was aked by my neice to give the marriage talk for them for their wedding. We did exhaustive research on the subject regarding the borg's stance on it. Even tho I wasn't a servant or elder, I was allowed to give the talk but an elder had to do the actual vows. Before you could blink, the elders were at my house to shut the the whole notion down that I should be involved. Their reasoning was that it set a bad precedence. Bulls*&%!

Separation of Powers

check NY state law...you may be able to give a talk and even capable of performing the vows, the person OFFICIATING may have to be a registered clergyman or other

DesirousOfChange

In our State (which doesn't matter, because you're talking about CN), one must be a "minister" associated with a church or denomination and be authorized by the church to perform weddings, thus an Elder can legally marry persons based on the fact that the WTS designates them with this "power". A mere publisher, even though said to be an "ordained minister" (hahahahahahaha), cannot do so because their Church (JWs) does not grant them authority -- only "JW Elders".

If your state is similar, then likely you have no other "authority" giving you the status to qualify to perform a wedding vow.

Just my 2c.

Doc

silent

@ idiotnomore: That's awesome! I wished I had thought of that because I had wanted a family member to give our marriage talk, but he wasn't qualified. If you can go to a Justice of the Peace and have it done, then if you come from a congregation of back biters or where everyone is against you (as I was and am), then how cool would it be to have your relative give the talk (of course not at a Hall because that wouldn't be allowed), and then have the J.P. come along and do the vows? That way you could have it done your way and take the power away from them and all their little stinkin' rules. I like this idea!

-silent

OUTLAW

.

You could get an "on line" License from Mexico..

You`d be qualified for Auto Repair,Marriage Ceremonys and Pharmacy..

...............................OUTLAW

Incognito

It is my understanding that anyone officiating a wedding ceremony must be licensed by the state/province in which the ceremony is to be performed. Even if the officiate is a Minister or Clergyman, he/she must be licensed by the state. Perhaps the requirements differ in each state as to who may be automatically qualified.

minimus, when you said:

It's been a long time since I married a couple as an elder, over a decade ago. It was always in massachusetts.

where you actually recognised (licensed) by the State of Massachusetts or did you proceed only due to being a JW Elder?

I have known very few JW Elders who were licensed to perform weddings.

When you think of weddings, they are actually civil matters with regards to legality and recognition by the government although the ceremony is often performed as a semi religious ceremony. Some people prefer a non-religious ceremony so they utilize a Justice of the Peace or other layperson to marry them.

If weddings were truly religious in nature, much like prior baptism by another denomination, I'm certain that the WT would require all newly converted JW couples to be remarried in a WT dictated ceremony.

Incognito

A Google search on the subject provided this link: http://www.usmarriagelaws.com/search/united_states/officiants_requirements/

Although not relavent to your original question, here is what it says with regard to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. --- Before performing marriages, ministers are required to apply for a certificate from the state. For applications write to: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the Secretary, Supervisor, Commissions Division, State House, Boston, Massachusetts 02133. You must file a copy of your ordination certificate and a statement from the church saying that you are in good standing. Please let us know well in advance if you need a statement from us. --- Ministers must keep records of all marriages they perform. Also, ministers must return a certificate of the marriage to the town clerk or registrar who issued the marriage license and to the town clerk of the town where the marriage was performed. --- For questions see the town clerk or registrar or write to the Secretary of State.

Further down on that site, the specified requirements for New York City differ from the State of NY.

Gregor

You can marry anyone as long as you get the license ($) and return it to the clerk with all signatures after the deed is done.. I have some outlines for the ceremony but they are all JW POV.

I Was Asked To Perform A Marriage Ceremony But Don't Know I'm Qualified

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