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Last Updated: October 5th, 2023

5 Essential Facts to Know Before Officiating a Wedding in Pennsylvania

The facts below cover all the important aspects of what requirements you need to meet to be able to legally officiate a wedding ceremony in Pennsylvania.

1.

Who Can Officiate Weddings in Pennsylvania?

This is the relevant exerpt from the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 1503.


" (a) General rule.--The following are authorized to solemnize marriages between persons that produce a marriage license issued under this part:

...

(6) A minister, priest or rabbi of any regularly established church or congregation.

(b) Religious organizations.--Every religious society, religious institution or religious organization in this Commonwealth may join persons together in marriage when at least one of the persons is a member of the society, institution or organization, according to the rules and customs of the society, institution or organization. "



Basically, this means that as long as you are ordained through any church, you can officiate weddings.

2.

Are Online Ordinations Recognized in Pennsylvania?

Yes. All online ordained ministers, including those ordained through AMM are recognized in Pennsylvania.

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3.

Is Government Registration Required to Officiate a Wedding in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Government does not license, register, or certify ministers or wedding officiants. Officiant registration is not required in Pennsylvania to officiate a wedding.

4.

What Office Do I Register with Before Officiating a Wedding in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Government does not have any office that licenses, registers, or certifies wedding officiants.

5.

What is the Minimum Legal Age to Officiate a Wedding in Pennsylvania?

All Wedding Officiants in Pennsylvania must be at least 18 years old.


Preparing to Officiate a Wedding in Pennsylvania

As there is no officiant registration required in Pennsylvania, once ordained your next step is to start preparing to officiate the wedding. If you have not officiated a wedding before, or it has been a while, check out our Pennsylvania Officiant Ceremony Preparation page.


PREPARE FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA WEDDING CEREMONY

OFFICIANT GOVERNMENT REGISTRATION BY STATE

Professional Wedding Officiant Certification Course

Learn from the Pros to Officiate with Confidence!

Will You Marry Us? Gift Package

Who Will Officiate Your Wedding?

Choose Your Officiant with our "Will You Marry Us?" Gift Package.

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Our premiere package contains everyting you need to officiate like a pro.

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

It's finally here! Timeless scripts and heartfelt vow inspiration to bring life to your ceremony.

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Checkout the AMM Blog

Stay up-to-date with the latest wedding industry trends.

Read our sample wedding ceremony scripts online

Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts

Need inspiration? Check out our free ceremony scripts!

Wedding Officiant Training

Wedding Officiant Training

Everything you need to know to officiate.

Take Our Quiz

Test your understanding of Pennsylvania Marriage Laws.

MORE Pennsylvania OFFICIANT RESOURCES

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