Who Can Legally Marry Us?

One of the most important parts of planning your wedding is determining who will actually perform the ceremony. There are four primary groups of people that can legally solemnize a marriage in Massachusetts:
 
  • A resident clergy member (and others as defined in MGL Chapter 207, Section 38), provided they are registered with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
  • A non-resident clergy member (and others as defined in MGL Chapter 207, Section 39) can apply to legally perform a marriage in Massachusetts by submitting a Petition to Solemnize Marriage with the Secretary of the Commonwealth no more than six weeks before the ceremony.
  • A Justice of the Peace from a Massachusetts town or city (as outlined in MGL Chapter 207, Section 39)
  • Want a friend or family member to perform the ceremony? If they’re over 18 they can apply for a One Day Marriage Designation from the Secretary of State's Office. The application must be in at least six weeks, but no more than three months, before the ceremony is to take place.
After the wedding ceremony is complete, whomever you chose to perform the ceremony must sign and return your marriage license to the city or town clerk where it was issued so it can be legally recorded. If you need a copy of your marriage certificate, you can get one from the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics.