{"id":26306,"name":"Springfield","state_id":29,"county_id":1529,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:39:32.618-07:00","updated_at":"2024-09-20T14:12:51.275-07:00","meta_description":null,"head_tag":null,"tagline":null,"intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eSo, you\u0026#39;re tying the knot in the \u0026quot;City of Firsts!\u0026quot; As the fourth largest city in New England and the birthplace of basketball, Springfield has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, from places like the \u003ca href=\"https://springfieldmuseums.org/about/dr-seuss-museum/\"\u003eAmazing World of Dr. Seuss\u003c/a\u003e to the Springfield Armory. Whether it\u0026#39;s for the science and art museums or the tasty cuisine, Springfield is sure to have you coming back to visit long after you exchange your \u0026quot;I do\u0026#39;s.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhatever you have planned, AMM\u0026#39;s job is to help you work through the legal aspects of your wedding. We\u0026#39;ll walk you through ordaining the minister of your choice and help you complete and sign the marriage license.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eStep 1: Get Ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026#39;s begin with the ordainment process. According to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.mass.gov/guides/getting-married-in-massachusetts-before-the-wedding\"\u003eMassachusetts State Website\u003c/a\u003e, the following persons may perform wedding ceremonies in Massachusetts:\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eIn-state clergy members and in-state justices of the peace\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eOut-of-state clergy members and out-of-state justices of the peace\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eAnyone with a 1-day designation\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBy \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/ordination-application\"\u003egetting ordained\u003c/a\u003e with AMM, you can qualify as an in-state or out-of-state clergy member. Ordination is free and takes just a few minutes to complete.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAfter you\u0026#39;ve completed our online ordination process, you\u0026#39;ll qualify as a clergy member, but you\u0026#39;ll still need to file a separate application through the Massachusetts Secretary of State\u0026#39;s \u003ca href=\"http://www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/prepdf/nonresclergyapp.pdf\"\u003ewebsite\u003c/a\u003e. The Massachusetts Secretary recommends filing at least four weeks before the wedding, but no earlier than six weeks prior. Then, once you receive the certificate for the state, you\u0026#39;ll file it with the same city hall or town clerk\u0026#39;s office in which the couple plans to register for their marriage license within ten days of the ceremony.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nStep 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Springfield\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nNow that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor but can feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/officiant-training\"\u003ewedding training pages\u003c/a\u003e, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts to brainstorming prompts, preparation tips, and more.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nStep 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhen it comes time to sign the marriage license, double-check that the couple has a valid Massachusetts marriage license in their possession before the ceremony. It\u0026#39;s the couple\u0026#39;s responsibility to obtain and complete the marriage license, but it\u0026#39;s your job to submit it to the state office after the wedding. In Massachusetts, the license must be turned back in within 60 days of completing the ceremony.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nFor more details on correctly completing forms, please consult our guide on \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/officiant-training/how-to-fill-out-a-marriage-license\"\u003ehow to complete a marriage license\u003c/a\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOnce that\u0026#39;s done, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. You\u0026#39;ve earned yourself a bowl of famous New England chowder, or better yet, make it a full lobster dinner.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003ch3\u003eFile for a Marriage License from the Springfield City Clerk\u0026#39;s Office\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nNow let\u0026#39;s turn to the couple\u0026#39;s responsibilities. First, you can apply for a Massachusetts marriage license from any city or town in the state \u0026mdash; it doesn\u0026#39;t necessarily have to be from the Springfield City Clerk\u0026#39;s office.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOnce you fill out the marriage license form and submit it to the office, there is a three-day waiting period that must occur before the ceremony. The fee for the marriage license in Springfield is $40. You\u0026#39;ll also be required to present a copy of your birth certificate at the clerk\u0026#39;s office.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThere are your everyday golf course weddings, and then there\u0026#39;s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.springfieldccma.org\"\u003eSpringfield Country Club\u003c/a\u003e. This venue is everything you\u0026#39;ve dreamed about, from breathtaking views of the New England countryside to a stately clubhouse that includes a bar, delicious food, and even an indoor swimming pool.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nFor a stunning indoor wedding venue location, check out the \u003ca href=\"https://castleofknights.com/weddings/\"\u003eCastle of Knights\u003c/a\u003e. This lavish venue features fancy dining tables and elaborate decorations and serves complimentary champagne, hors d\u0026#39;oeuvres, and locally sourced, custom-made wedding cakes.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIf you really want to pull out the stops for your big day, \u003ca href=\"https://www.thestartinggate.com/\"\u003eThe Starting Gate\u003c/a\u003e is the place where you want to go. This luxurious stone and cedar venue has the best views combined with plenty of space and expert staff to help you plan the perfect wedding. So it\u0026#39;s not surprising that it was rated \u0026quot;The Best Of Weddings\u0026quot; by the knot in 2019.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe Pioneer Transit Valley Authority or \u003ca href=\"http://www.pvta.com/\"\u003ePVTA\u003c/a\u003e is Springfield\u0026#39;s number one public transportation service. However, if you would rather avoid public transportation, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft should also be available. You can also use the city\u0026#39;s Valley Bike\u0026nbsp;share option for getting quickly from A to B.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nSpringfield offers a humid continental climate typical of New England. Summers are ideal for outdoor weddings, with high temperatures around 70 to 80 degrees for the summer months. Winter will dip into the 20s with average high temperatures barely above 40 degrees, so dress warm if you have not experienced East Coast winters.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Internet ministers legal in Massachusetts?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nYes, ministers that have been ordained through online ministries are accepted in the state.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eCan we get married the same day that we receive our marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIn the state of Massachusetts, there is a three-day waiting period to use your marriage license after the city clerk has issued it to you.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eAfter we get married, what do we do with our marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nYour officiant needs to return the marriage license within 60 days of the issuance date.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre blood tests required in Massachusetts?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nNo. Blood tests are no longer required to get married.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e 36 Court Street, City Hall Room 123\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $40\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e 3 days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e 60 days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn: \u003c/strong\u003eby Officiant\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}