Are there any laws about who can officiate a wedding?

In Maryland, there are laws regarding who can officiate a wedding. According to the Maryland Department of Health, anyone who is an ordained minister, priest, or rabbi of any religious denomination, as well as any religious leader authorized by a religious denomination or organisation to conduct a marriage ceremony, may officiate a wedding. Furthermore, judges and magistrates of the District Court of Maryland, as well as justices of the peace, are authorised to perform marriage ceremonies. In addition, under Maryland’s Marriage Equality Act of 2012, a signed, notarized endorsement must be provided by the officiant to the Register of Wills office of the county where the marriage is to take place. The endorsement must state that the person officiating the marriage is authorised to do so by the governing body of the religious denomination or organisation. The Marriage Equality Act also created the position of a civil celebrant for marriages. A civil celebrant is an individual who is appointed by a county court and who may officiate a civil marriage ceremony in any county of Maryland, provided that the registrar’s office of the particular county is notified in writing. Finally, any two individuals, 18 years of age or older, may officiate a wedding. Both individuals must complete and sign an application form and return it to the Register of Wills office of the county in which the wedding will take place, along with a $20 bond. The bond must be approved by the county court, and the form must be signed by two witnesses. In conclusion, there are various laws in Maryland governing who is authorised to officiate a wedding. Ordained ministers, priests, and rabbis, as well as judges and magistrates of the District Court, justices of the peace, and civil celebrants, may officiate a wedding. Two individuals aged 18 or older may also apply to officiate a wedding, provided they complete the required forms and bond.

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Are there any laws about who can officiate a wedding?

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