What is a Covenant Marriage? (And Why Would Couples Choose One?)

What is a covenant marriage? Which states have created legal provisions for covenant marriages and why? 

 

Covenant marriage is so uncommon that many people have never even heard of it. In fact, fewer than 5% of couples in the US choose a covenant marriage, and most experts put that number at closer to 1%. 

 

And with so few celebrity covenant marriages (as opposed to, say, celebrity Scientology marriages or confidential marriages), these agreements rarely make it into the spotlight. 

 

It can make them feel downright mysterious, even though, really, it’s just another type of marriage contract. 

 

So, what is this uncommon marriage practice, and why do people choose it? 

 

 

What is a covenant marriage?

 

Covenant marriages are a legally distinct type of marriage contract. They have very limited grounds for divorce, making them more difficult to end, and additional requirements for premarital counseling and couple’s counseling to resolve domestic difficulties. These unions appeal to religiously minded couples and those who want a more binding legal contract. 

 

Covenant marriage licenses are only available in a few states -- Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana -- and are usually entered into for religious reasons. It’s estimated that only 1 - 2% of couples in these states choose covenant marriages. 

 

To learn more about how to apply for a covenant marriage license, or for tips on how to officiate a covenant marriage ceremony, read: 

 

• An Officiant’s Guide to Covenant Marriages

 

 

Pros and Cons of covenant marriage 

 

What are some of the pros and cons of covenant marriage? It depends on who you ask, and what their personal religious beliefs, values, and views on marriage are. Here are some common views of covenant marriage. 

 

Benefits / Pros of Covenant Marriage

 

Couples opposed to divorce or whose religious doctrine doesn’t allow divorce are more likely to choose covenant marriages. For these couples, covenant marriage provides the security and comfort of an (almost) unbreakable promise. Likewise, the emphasis on counseling and effort to resolve conflicts, rather than end the marriage, align with their personal or spiritual values. 

 

Drawbacks / Cons of Covenant Marriage

 

Leaving a covenant marriage is a long and costly process. There are strict requirements for marital counseling and limited reasons for divorce (for example, a partner must prove adultery, ongoing addictions, domestic violence or abuse, abandonment, or other specific reasons to leave). There’s no option for a no-fault divorce in a covenant marriage. Because it can be very difficult to prove domestic violence and abuse in a relationship, covenant marriages can endager some spouses. 

 

Covenant marriage in the spotlight

 

Covenant marriages make up a very small percentage of marriages in the US and are rarely in the media spotlight, until recently.

 

Derick and Jill (Duggar) Dilliard are one of the few celebrity couples known to be in a covenant marriage. When the devout Baptist couple married in Arkansas in 2014, during their time on the reality show 19 Kids and Counting, the term ‘covenant marriage’ started popping up in shiny gossip mag headlines everywhere, possibly for the first time ever. 

 

This lack of celebrity endorsement is not surprising, perhaps, as covenant marriages are often touted by religious organizations as an antidote to the US’ high divorce rate and the supposed evils of frequent ‘failed’ celebrity marriages.

 

 

Which States Allow Covenant Marriage? 

 

Currently, only 3 states offer a covenant marriage license:  Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. 

 

Other states have considered adding provisions for religious marriage contracts to their state laws. In recent years, legislation for covenant marriages has been introduced in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas. 

 

To learn more, please read our continuing coverage on this topic:

 

• (2022) Missouri lawmakers consider codifying same-sex marriage and provisions for covenant marriages 
   
• (2023) Missouri Lawmakers (Still) Want To Bring Covenant Marriage to the State 

 

 

Updated December 31, 2024

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Learn More About Performing Weddings

 

• Scientology Weddings: From Intergalactic Spiritual Beings to Exchanging Rings
   
• What is a Marriage Certificate? (And How to Fill One Out)

 

• How to Officiate a Wedding For the First Time
   
• 12 Christian Wedding Readings That Aren’t Bible Verses

 

 

Christian wedding poems and lyrical hymns for your ceremony! Click the article linked above to read more. (Photo: fotostorm / iStock)

 

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Need a Christian Wedding Ceremony Script to use on the big day? 

 

Choose from over 20 Christian Wedding Ceremony Scripts in AMM's Script Library.

 

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Become a Wedding Officiant with Online Ordination from American Marriage Ministries

Officiating a wedding or elopement ceremony is a wonderful way to show your support for the happy couple, and to give the ultimate wedding gift: an intimate and personal ceremony. When a loved one officiates, every moment means more!

You can officiate a wedding with free online ordination through American Marriage Ministries (AMM). 

|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/ordination-application", "ORDAINED MINISTER ONLINE APPLICATION" *|

Why choose AMM for your ordination? American Marriage Ministries is an inclusive nondenominational internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and help people from all backgrounds and beliefs become ordained ministers for weddings. Our online ordination is free, accessible, and never expires.

 

Officiating weddings is an incredible honor, and a great way to show your love and support for the people getting married. As a wedding officiant, you will help to create memorable ceremonies and memories that last a lifetime.

AMM Ministers can legally officiate weddings in every state* (it's much harder in Virginia, where we're looking into our options). After getting ordained with AMM, you might need to register your ordination with your local county clerk’s office. Click the link above to get started! 

 

 

Become an ordained minister online with American Marriage Ministries and officiate wedding for friends and relatives. (Photo cropped: Biserka Stojanovic / iStock)

 

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