Wedding Officiant

27/07/2023

23/11/2022

Getting Married in Massachusetts:
After the Wedding.

Congratulations, you tied the knot! You’re probably ready to kick back and enjoy your newlywed bliss, but don't forget there's still some paperwork to take care of.

Getting proof of your marriage
Most orders are filled within 2-3 weeks (expedited options are available).
There are many reasons why you may need to provide proof of your marriage, like changing your health insurance or getting a new license.

After your wedding, the officiant should file your marriage license with the city or town clerk in the place where you got it. You can pick up a copy of the license at the Registry of Vital Records in the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (HHS).

You can order a copy of your marriage certificate online, by phone, by fax, or by mail. Service fees vary depending on how you order it. The original and any certified copy serve as proof of your marriage.

Changing your name and getting a new ID
You can choose to change or keep your name when you get married in Massachusetts. If you’ve chosen to change your name, you should have included the new one when you filled out your marriage license before your wedding. Your name is automatically changed to the one listed on your certificate after your wedding.

After you get a copy of your marriage certificate, you can apply for identification with your new name, including a Social Security card, Massachusetts driver’s license, and U.S. passport. You should get your Social Security card first, because the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) will check your Social Security number when you apply for a new license.

Once you have a new license, you should also update your voter registration with your new name to avoid any issues at your polling place. If you’re taking your honeymoon right away or soon after your wedding, you might want to wait until after you get back to get all of your IDs changed over. The names on all of your documents, including plane tickets, need to match.

Keep in mind that you may also need to change your name with other organizations, including your employer, health insurer, bank, and more.

Filing taxes after you get married
Once you and your spouse are married, you can choose to file your state and federal income taxes as a couple, known as “Married Filing Joint,” or you can continue to file individually, known as “Married Filing Separate.” However you choose to file your taxes, you don’t need to provide proof of your marriage to the Department of Revenue (DOR) or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

If you file separately, there are limitations on the tax deductions and credits you can claim, so you should discuss both options with your spouse to figure out what makes sense for you. You may not be able to file a joint return in Massachusetts right away in certain situations, including if you and your spouse weren’t Massachusetts residents for the same portion of that year or if you weren’t legally married as of the last day of the year.

If you’re a resident of Massachusetts getting married out-of-state or if you move here after you’re married, don’t worry. Ceremonies conducted in other states — as well as by designated people in foreign countries — are recognized as valid in the Bay State. To provide proof of your marriage or get new IDs in Massachusetts, just follow the same process with your out-of-state marriage certificate, as well as any additional steps you may need to take to convert an out-of-state license. Massachusetts doesn’t keep records of out-of-state marriages, so you’ll need to get your certificate from the state where you were married.

By taking care of all your newlywed paperwork up front, you and your spouse can relax and enjoy life as a married couple.

23/11/2022

Getting Married in Massachusetts:
Before the Wedding ( Part 2)

What paperwork do I need to get married in Massachusetts?
There's a 3-day waiting period once you apply for a marriage license. The license is valid for 60 days once you have it.
You need to have a marriage license to get married in the Bay State. You can apply for a license from any city or town in the state — it doesn’t have to be from the town where you live or where your ceremony will be.

You should contact your city or town clerk to find out exactly what you and your future spouse need to do to get a marriage license, but in general, before your wedding you’ll need to:

Fill out a Notice of Intention of Marriage Form — You and your future spouse will need to go in person to your city or town clerk to fill out this form. You’ll need to provide:
Proof of your age, such as a birth certificate or passport
Your Social Security number
Payment for fees, which vary by town
The name you’ll use after the wedding if you’ve decided to change it
Pick up Your Marriage License — There is a required 3-day waiting period before you can pick up your marriage license. In some cases, you can apply for a marriage without delay at the probate or district court in the town where you submitted your notice to waive this period. The license is valid for 60 days. If you’re not married within 60 days of the date the license was granted, you’ll need to apply for it again.
Give Your License to the Person Conducting the Ceremony — After you’re married, your officiant must sign and return the license to the city or town clerk who issued it before the 60-day time period is up.

22/11/2022

Getting Married in Massachusetts:
Before the Wedding ( Part 1)

If you’re planning your dream wedding in the Bay State, congratulations!

Whatever your theme or guest list — should you invite Aunt Edna or your second cousin Joe? — there are a few things you’ll need to do before the big day to make sure your ceremony is official.

What should I know about getting married in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 207 covers many of the legal requirements for getting married in Massachusetts. The Secretary of the Commonwealth also provides some guides to help you get the right paperwork filed on time. For the most detailed information, you should contact your city or town clerk, because each place has its own regulations about marriage licenses.

Can I get married in Massachusetts?
You don’t have to be a state resident to get married in Massachusetts. You cannot get married until you are 18 years or older.

Who can conduct my wedding in Massachusetts?
There are 4 primary groups of people who can officiate at weddings in Massachusetts. Each group needs to meet different requirements to get licensed.

In-state Clergy Member — If you’d like to be married by a member of the clergy who lives in Massachusetts, they are most likely already authorized to perform the ceremony.

In-state Justice of the Peace — Justices of the Peace are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, and some are authorized to perform marriages. Contact your city or town clerk for more information if you’d like to be married by a Justice of the Peace.

Out-of-state Clergy Member or Justice of the Peace — Clergy members or Justices of the Peace who are authorized in other states to perform marriages have to file the non-resident, out-of-state clergy petition to get a certificate to officiate your ceremony. They shouldn’t file the application more than 6 weeks before your wedding day. Once your officiant-to-be gets the certificate — usually 2–4 weeks after applying — they have to file it with the city or town clerk that will issue your marriage license within 10 days of the ceremony.

Anyone with a 1-day Designation — If you want a friend or family member to officiate your wedding, they can apply for a 1-day designation. They must fill out an application online or by mail from 6 months to 1 week before your wedding date. There is no residency requirement for 1-day designations.

Where can I get married in Massachusetts?
If you’d like to have your ceremony here in the Bay State, there are hundreds of beautiful venues to fit every couple’s personality and budget. The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) provides some highlights on their wedding venue ideas page.

In addition, many Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) parks are happy to accommodate small wedding ceremonies, and a limited number of parks can accommodate larger weddings, as long as you get a special use permit for the day. Contact the park you’re interested in for availability and additional information.

22/11/2022

22/11/2022

22/11/2022