Who officiates a secular or non-religious wedding ceremony? You've got options!

 

 

Weddings performed in churches or temples are officiated by clergy belonging to specific faith denominations, but who officiates civil weddings for nonreligious, agnostic, or atheist couples? 

 

If you’re not religious and want to have a civil or secular marriage ceremony, you have several great options for officiants. Consider the three suggestions below to get started and choose the best officiant for you and your wedding. 

 

3 Types of Officiants for Non-religious Weddings & Elopements

 

 

1. Ask a friend or family member to officiate

 

Friends and relatives can get ordained online through American Marriage Ministries (AMM) for free to officiate your wedding as an AMM minister. They don’t have to hold any specific religious beliefs, or have any spiritual beliefs at all, to become ordained with AMM. (Atheists and agnostics are welcome!) 

 

All that’s required for ordination is belief in AMM’s three tenets, which are founded in marriage equality for all people: 

 

1. All people, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, have the right to marry.
2. It is the right of every couple to choose who will solemnize their marriage.
3. All people have the right to solemnize marriage.

 

• Get Ordained Online with American Marriage Ministries 

 

Your loved one can perform any type of wedding ceremony you want – in almost any location, and including any wording, special readings, or unique traditions you want. They may need to register with the clerk’s office ahead of time, but this only applies in some states. After the ceremony is complete, they have the legal authority as a minister to sign your marriage license.  

 

• To find out more, start here: Weddings By State

 

 

Photo: Anchiy / iStock

Ask a close friend or relative to get ordained online to officiate your wedding exactly how and where you want it to be.

 

 

2. Get married by a judge or clerk at the courthouse

 

Many courthouses and county clerk’s offices offer marriage ceremony services. A courthouse wedding is usually officiated by a judge, county clerk, or city clerk, who is familiar with the legal requirements. 

 

During the ceremony, they’ll read from a simple script, ask if you wish to marry (the declaration of intent, or the familiar ‘I do’s of weddings), and pronounce you married. After the ceremony, they’ll sign your marriage license. 

 

Contact a location directly to find out if marriage services are offered there, and ask about civil ceremony fees. 

 

3. Hire a professional wedding officiant

 

You can also hire a professional wedding officiant to perform your ceremony. Professional wedding officiants often specialize in specific types of ceremonies, including secular and civil weddings. 

 

If you decide to go this route, interview a few potential officiants to determine how well they’ll fit your needs. Ask if they’re comfortable performing a non-religious wedding, and discuss any phrases or words you want to avoid during the ceremony (such as ‘holy matrimony’ or ‘sacred union, which have a religious connotation).

 

Related: Are there legal wording requirements in a wedding ceremony?

 

You can search for professional officiants online using Google Business Profiles (just type in “wedding officiant near me”) or on vendor websites like The Knot, Wedding Wire, The Officiant Directory. Wedding planning forums on FaceBook, Discord, and others can also be a good place to start; talk to other soon-to-be-weds and newlyweds for recommendations.  

 

Consider these resources to get started: 

 

• 12 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Officiant Before Signing a Contract
• Choosing a Wedding Officiant: What (or Who) Are Your Options?

 

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You might also like: 

 

• Your Religion, My Religion, or No Religion - Make Sure Your Officiant Knows!
   
• AMM ordains people of all faiths -- from pagans to monotheists, atheists to agnostics!
   
• Are the Words, “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace...” Really Necessary?

 

Browse Non-Religious Wedding Ceremony Scripts

 

 

Use one of our sample wedding ceremony scripts to get started planning the perfect wedding.

 

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