{"id":32354,"name":"Billings","state_id":35,"county_id":1872,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:41:20.739-07:00","updated_at":"2023-10-23T06:23:25.542-07:00","meta_description":"Learn about planning and officiating weddings in Billings, MT","head_tag":"A guide for officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in Anaheim, a city built on imagination","tagline":"Billings Pride, City Wide","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eIf you are getting married or hope to perform a wedding ceremony in southern Montana, then Billings is a spectacular place to do it. Billings sits on the Yellowstone River, which shaped the nearby sandstone cliffs and helped define the city as \u0026ldquo;Montana\u0026rsquo;s Trailhead.\u0026rdquo;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nWhile it is close to iconic western landmarks like the Little Bighorn Battleground and Pompeys Pillar, it is also a bustling city of 100,000 people chock full of shopping, restaurants and bars.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFirst up, the ordainment process. Montana law states that in order to officiate a wedding, you must be one of the following:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ea judge of a court of record\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ea public official whose powers include solemnization of marriages\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ea mayor, city judge, or justice of the peace\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ea tribal judge\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eor in accordance with any mode of solemnization recognized by any religious denomination, Indian nation or tribe, or native group\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe good news is if you \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eget ordained with AMM\u003c/a\u003e, you will fall under the last category as a licensed minister. We are the only IRS Certified 501c3 Non-Profit that offers free online ordinations. The process is fast and free.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Yellowstone County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you have the official paperwork wrapped up, it\u0026rsquo;s time to prepare for the wedding itself. It\u0026rsquo;s an honor to be asked to officiate, but it can also feel overwhelming. Even if you are a seasoned professional, we recommend you check out our wedding training pages, where you\u0026rsquo;ll find a library of information to help prepare for your ceremony and ensure that everything goes as planned.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nHere you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts and brainstorming prompts to tips for preparation and more.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt is actually the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to obtain and complete the marriage license, but as the officiant, you should make sure it is a valid marriage license before the ceremony. That means checking that the document is still valid, that the names are spelled correctly, and that all the other information is correct.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nIn Yellowstone County, once you have performed the ceremony and notarized the marriage license, you have successfully performed your duties. The newly-married couple will go from there. Good work!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003ch3\u003eFile for the Marriage License from the Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe fastest and easiest method is to fill out the \u003ca href=\"https://mt.accessgov.com/yellowstone/Forms/Page/yellowstone-clerk-court/marriage-license/1\"\u003eonline application\u003c/a\u003e; otherwise, you\u0026rsquo;ll have to request a paper application at the Clerk\u0026rsquo;s office. Once you\u0026rsquo;ve filed your application, you can make an appointment using \u003ca href=\"https://www.yellowstonecountymt.gov/clerk_court/MarriageCalendar.asp\"\u003etheir online scheduler\u003c/a\u003e, or by calling (406) 256-2869. The Clerk\u0026rsquo;s office is located at 217 N. 27th Street in Room 702. When you go for your appointment, the fee will be $53.00, payable by cash, money order, cashier\u0026#39;s check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover. Both applicants will need to provide:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eID\u0026rsquo;s A driver\u0026rsquo;s license, state ID, certified birth certificate or passport\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePlace of birth and social security number\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eFather\u0026rsquo;s first, middle and last name along with current city and state of residence\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eMother\u0026#39;s\u0026nbsp;first, middle and last name along with current city and state of residence\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\t\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe marriage license is valid for 180 days from the date of issuance to the ceremony.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eEverything is within reach around Billings, no matter what style of venue you\u0026rsquo;re considering. If you\u0026rsquo;re looking to get the most out of the big skies and beautiful vistas that the countryside offers, you might want to check out \u003ca href=\"https://www.camelotranchevents.com/events/weddings/\"\u003eCamelot Ranch\u003c/a\u003e, with its picturesque riverside setting and rustic barn and cabin accommodations.\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nOn the other hand, if you\u0026rsquo;re hoping for a more elegant option within the city proper, take a look at \u003ca href=\"https://danwaltgardens.com\"\u003eDanWalt Gardens\u003c/a\u003e, a tranquil garden with a sophisticated indoor pavilion that feels secluded but is close to all the restaurants and nightlife Billings has to offer.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBillings has an airport with car rental kiosks and is also served by buses running within the city operated by Billings Metropolitan Transit. There are several cab services along with the usual ride-share options like Lyft and Uber.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn Billings, Is there a waiting period after you\u0026rsquo;ve completed the marriage license before you can use it?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, there is no waiting period. You can start the wedding right after you obtain the license.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much does a marriage license cost in Billings?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe cost is $53.00.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo both members of the couple need to be present in order to apply for a marriage license in Billings?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Both members must also present an ID (driver\u0026rsquo;s license, state ID, certified birth certificate or passport).\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e 217 N. 27th Street, Room 702\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $53.00\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e 180 days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e by the couple\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":""}