How to Officiate a Wedding in Topeka, Kansas

The state capital of Kansas, Topeka, has been integral to the course of American history - from the abolition of slavery to the integration of public schools. For a look into modern-day American heroes, check out the thrilling life of Evel Knievel by setting aside some time to go to the museum dedicated to honoring this daredevil. You’ll also like to know that Topeka has some great outdoor wedding venues well within your budget.

AMM is here to guide you through the logistics and paperwork of getting married in Topeka from filling out the marriage license to ordaining your chosen wedding officiant. So without further ado, let’s get started with the ordination process.
 

Step 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries

In Kansas you can perform marriages if you are:

• A licentiate of a denominational body.
• A judge or justice of a court of record.
• Or an ordained clergyman of any religious denomination.

 
If you do not yet fall into any of these categories, don’t worry. You can get ordained as an AMM minister by simply signing up on our website! The process is free and should only take you a few minutes to complete. 
  
When it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Shawnee County may ask you to present documentation (which AMM provides for a fee). You can call the county clerk’s office before you perform the ceremony to ask if they will require you to bring the certificate in person, or you can order your credentials from our store in advance, just to be safe.

Step 2: Prepare for the Wedding Ceremony in Topeka
 
Now that the easy part is out of the way, you can focus on planning for the wedding ceremony. Officiating a wedding is an honor, but can also be a challenge. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, where we give you access to a library of information to help you plan and write your speech. Here, we cover everything from brainstorming for your speech to providing you with sample wedding ceremony scripts and so much more.

Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

When it comes time to sign the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain and complete the marriage license. But, just be sure to double-check that they have a valid marriage license before the ceremony.

Once the ceremony is complete you (as the officiant) are responsible for returning the license to the County Clerk’s office within the 10 days ensuing the marriage. Once this is done, you have completed your legal functions and you can now sit back and relax in a job well done!

File for the Marriage License in Shawnee County
 
Both applicants must apply together in person for the marriage license. You can start this process online on the Kansas Judicial Branche's website. On the application form, you must fill out your parents’ full names as well as their date and place of birth. You will also need to provide your social security number or driver's license number, along with valid state-issued identification. A fee of $85.50, only payable in cash, is required for the marriage license. 
 
When you go, just don’t forget to bring
 

• Valid State ID
• Social Security/Driver’s License Number
• $85.50 Cash

 
On completion of the application, Kansas requires a 3 day waiting period, after which you can pick up your marriage license from the county clerk’s office.
 

Wedding Venue and Planning Tips

If you have always dreamed of a rustic barn wedding, you came to the right town. Topeka has plenty of options ranging from traditional country barn venues like at the Schwinn Produce Farm to more upscale, but authentic venues like Just The Place. Maybe you and your beloved came to Topeka looking for a cute little church wedding. If that’s the case, AMM has found the perfect place for you. At the Meade Park Botanical Gardens, you can say your “I do’s” in the quaint little church, and have your reception in the beautiful lush garden. Topeka is not a massive metropolis, so if you plan well enough in advance, you should be able to book the venue of your desire. Just make sure to accommodate the number of guests and possible alterations in the weather. 

Transportation

The Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority provides regular bus services to stops within the city limits. Otherwise, if you don’t have your own vehicle, consider using a taxi or rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft. 

Weather

Topeka gets typical Midwest weather consisting of hot, humid summers, and cold, dry winters. Be prepared for regular severe thunderstorms in summer, as these tend to hit quite often. As we are reminded in the Wizard of Oz, Kansas is a hotspot for tornadoes, so be sure to factor this into your planning. At least winters are relatively short - with an average snowfall of only sixteen inches per year.