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Lincoln, Nebraska Wedding Guide

Become a Wedding Officiant in Lincoln as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in Nebraska, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.

How to Officiate a Wedding in Lincoln, Nebraska

Is it the dirt cheap dive bars filled with chummy locals? Is it the all-unifying fan force of the Lincolnites’ Huskers during football season? Is it people-watching with a cup of hot tea while sitting on a park bench in the historic Haymarket district? Lady Gaga’s heart wrenching ballad “You and I,” about falling in love in Nebraska says it all. It’s hard to put your finger on, but there really is just “something, something about this place.”

 

If you’re getting married in Lincoln, Nebraska, first off -- congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! You’ve come to the right place. We have all the need-to-know legal info, plus some other useful tips about getting married in Lancaster County. Our first recommendation? Crack open a bottle of Mélange A Trois and play You and I on repeat while you read our guide to really get in the spirit.




Nebraska Wedding Tips and Tricks

Become a Wedding Officiant

For The
Wedding Officiant

STEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

 

Let’s start by getting your wedding officiant of choice legally ordained. According to Lancaster County Clerk’s website, the following persons may perform wedding ceremonies: 

 

“Every judge, retired judge, clerk magistrate or retired clerk magistrate, and every preacher of the gospel authorized by the usages of the church to which he or she belongs to solemnize marriages, may perform the marriage ceremony in this State.”

 

If you’ve been asked to officiate the ceremony, you can get ordained with AMM to fall within the priest or minister category. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.

 

When it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Lancaster 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.)

 

STEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Lancaster County

 

Now 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 wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly. 

 

Here you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.

 

STEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

 

When it comes time to complete the marriage license, you should sit down with the couple to help them fill it out, after they pick it up from the county clerk’s office. Lancaster County has some rules that you’ll want to take note of.

 

First off, use only black ink when completing the license and certificate of marriage, and do not write outside of the license’s designated boxes. You, the officiant, must fill in box numbers 21a through 21f. Remember to sign and print your name in box 21d and fill in your full mailing address, including city, state, and zip code in box 21f. You must also include your title (i.e., “minister”) in box 21e.

 

If an error is made below the signature lines, just cross it out and print the correction above or to the side. Resist the urge to use whiteout -- the Lancaster county clerk’s office won’t accept it.

 

Once you have performed the ceremony and the marriage licensed is fully completed and notarized by you, it is also your responsibility to return the original (not photocopied) license to the county clerk’s office within 15 days of the ceremony. A self-addressed envelope will be provided to you if you prefer to mail it in.



Nebraska Wedding

How To Get Married in Lincoln

For The
Couple

To get your marriage license, both members of the couple will need to visit one of the state county clerk’s offices or courthouses together. Download a printable marriage license application here and fill it out before you go down to the office at 555 S. 10th Street in room 108.

 

To schedule an appointment, you can contact the office at 402-441-7484, but an appointment is not necessary. 

 

When you go, just remember to bring:

 

  • Marriage license application worksheet (One per couple)
  • A non-expired driver's license, State ID or passport

 

There is no waiting period in Lincoln, so you can technically get married the same day that you apply for the marriage license. 

Lancaster County Marriage License Info

Important Facts to know before filing for a marriage license in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Issuance Office: 555 S. 10th Street in room 108.
Fee: $25 
Waiting Period: None
Expiration: 1 year
Return: by Couple

Lincoln Wedding Tips and Tricks

Wedding Venue and Planning Tips

For The Couple
& Officiant

The Basics

 

Lincoln is a major economic and cultural hub in the region, not only because it’s the capital of Nebraska, but also because it’s part of the “Silicon Prairie” (the Midwest’s Silicon Valley) and a college town. That being said, only about 300,000 people live here, so you’re not going to face extreme competition for venues and sky-high prices as you would in larger cities. (Another reason to love Lincoln.)

 

For the couple looking for a classic venue, you’ll want to check out both the Marriott Cornhusker Hotel and the Embassy Suites Lincoln, both of which have ample capacity for large receptions and are located right downtown. For a more modern, industrial setting with a warm ambiance, check out the Talon Room. You can take a virtual tour on their website to explore every corner of their concrete dance floor and get up close and personal with their full-service bar. Or if you really want to do something different, rent out the Rococo Theater! You can host both your ceremony and reception in this charming old landmark building.

 

Transportation

 

You can rely on Lyft and Uber pretty much year-round, rain, snow, or shine. Public transportation within the city limits is decent but it stops running after 9 pm. However, if you’re from out of town, the best bet is to rent a car, regardless of the season, especially if you’ll be spending time in multiple towns as they are quite spread out.

 

Weather

 

The most pleasant months in Lincoln are between May and September. July is the peak of the heat with daily highs hitting in the mid-80s and sometimes 90s. However, the spring and summer months are also subject to tornadoes and thunderstorms. So, if you’re planning a wedding anytime after April or before September, make sure to come up with a backup plan in the case that your wedding day brings some inclement weather.

 

December and January are the height of winter in this region. If you’re planning a Nebraska wedding in the winter, kudos on your bravery. Most would steer clear of these months because of the intense cold and snow, but you may be able to find amazing deals on venue rentals during this time.




Lincoln Officiant FAQ

Lincoln Officiant & Couples FAQ

For The Couple
& Officiant


Must an officiant be a resident of or certified in Lincoln Nebraska?

No, Nebraska certification and/or residence is not required as long as the officiant is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies as outlined in Nebraska Revised Statute Section 42-108. (If you register with AMM, you’re covered.)
 

Who returns the marriage license once it’s complete -- the officiant or the couple?

In Lincoln, it’s the officiant’s responsibility to return the completed marriage license to the Lancaster county clerk’s office within 15 days of the wedding ceremony. This can also be done by mail.
 

Can we make an appointment to avoid wait time in Lincoln Nebraska?

Yes, just call or email the Lancaster county clerk’s office 24 hours or more in advance.
 

Do we need to bring our birth certificates and social security cards in Lincoln Nebraska?

No, you only need to bring a government issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport -- but the marriage license will ask you to write down your social security number.
 

If we’re planning to get married outside of Nebraska, can we still use a Nebraska-issued marriage license?

No, the couple should obtain their marriage license from the state or country where their ceremony will be performed.

OFFICIANT CEREMONY
PREPARATION IN

Nebraska City Guides

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  2. Omaha

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