When most people imagine a civil wedding, they picture a quick ceremony at a county clerk’s office or a city hall. However, in an increasing number of jurisdictions, a more flexible and personalized option is available: marrying under the authority of a Notary Public.
The Notary Public, traditionally known for verifying signatures and documents, is now authorized in several states and regions to legally solemnize a marriage, transforming them into official, state-recognized wedding officiants. This blending of legal expertise and ceremonial duty offers couples a streamlined, often budget-friendly, and highly customizable alternative to traditional civil ceremonies.
The Notary’s Authority: Where and How It Works
The ability of a Notary Public to officiate a wedding is not universal; it is granted by specific state or regional laws. Currently, in the United States, only a handful of states—including Florida, South Carolina, Nevada, Maine, Montana, and Tennessee—expressly authorize commissioned Notaries to solemnize a marriage.
In these jurisdictions, the civil wedding Notary acts in an official governmental capacity to perform two critical functions:
- Solemnizing the Marriage: The Notary conducts the actual civil ceremony. This can be as simple as an exchange of verbal consent (the ”I Do’s”) or a fully personalized ceremony written by the couple and the Notary.
- Certifying the Legal Document: The Notary officially signs the marriage license and ensures all other required fields are completed accurately. They then take responsibility for filing the license with the issuing county clerk’s office within the legally mandated timeframe (often within 10 days of the ceremony). This legal final step is what officially records the marriage.
This combination of roles is a major draw for couples seeking legal compliance and peace of mind, knowing their critical paperwork is handled by a state-licensed official.
Why Choose a Notary for Your Civil Ceremony?
Opting for a Notary Public as your wedding officiant provides several distinct advantages over a typical courthouse appointment or a more expensive professional minister.
1. Unmatched Flexibility and Location
Unlike a court official who is tied to the courthouse, a Notary Public is typically mobile. This means the ceremony can take place almost anywhere: in the couple’s backyard, at a favorite park, in a restaurant, or even a simple, quick signing in the Notary’s home office. This location flexibility allows couples to have a meaningful and intimate ceremony without the logistical headaches or costs of securing a formal venue.
2. Streamlined and Affordable
Notary fees for officiating a marriage ceremony are often more budget-friendly than those charged by traditional wedding officiants. For couples who prioritize the legal contract over a grand celebration, a Notary provides a cost-effective route to legally tying the knot. The process is also streamlined: you handle the paperwork to get the license, and the Notary handles the ceremony and the final filing.
3. Customization and Personal Touch
While the legal requirements are simple—a clear declaration of intent to marry—the ceremony itself is highly adaptable. Many Notaries who offer this service are happy to work with the couple to write personalized vows, select specific readings, and tailor the experience to their relationship, all while ensuring the mandatory legal component is met.
The Notary Wedding Process: Key Steps
To successfully get married by a Notary Public, a couple must adhere to the standard licensing procedure for their location:
- Obtain the Marriage License: Both partners must apply for and receive a valid marriage license from the appropriate county or city clerk. This license has a clear expiration date and may have a waiting period before it becomes effective. The civil wedding Notary cannot proceed without this license.
- Hire the Notary: Select a Notary Public who is actively commissioned in the state where the ceremony will take place and is specifically authorized to solemnize marriages. Confirm their fees, their availability, and the scope of the ceremony they will perform.
- The Ceremony: On the chosen date, the Notary verifies the couple’s identity (with government-issued ID), confirms their verbal consent to marry, and pronounces them officially wed.
- The Filing: Immediately following the ceremony, the Notary completes, signs, and seals the marriage license. Their final, and most crucial, duty is ensuring the signed document is correctly returned to the county office for official recording.
The ”civil wedding Notary” provides a perfect solution for couples who want to blend the simplicity of a civil union with the warmth and personalization of a private ceremony, all under the legal guidance of a trusted public official.