Rev Joe

I have attached a pdf of the Wisconsin marriage statutes. You don't have to register to perform a marriage. Most counties give out instructions to the officiant as to how to fill out the marriage certificate. Wisconsin has recently changed their forms and now the witnesses have to both sign and print their names. Also some counties don't make the couple sign ahead of time, but they are supposed to sign prior to the ceremony. stat0765.pdf

This is a book published by a facebook friend of mine. He writes about his autism. https://www.facebook.com/TheDoctorIsInbyDrPVSuglia?fref=nf

If the issuing license state is Texas, then it may be allowed as some of the county web sites mention that the wedding can take place anywhere. snipped from dallas county: http://www.dallascounty.org/countyclerk/marriage-license.php Can I use my Texas marriage license to get married in another state? A marriage license issued in the State of Texas can be used for ceremonies in other States. Please contact your out-of-state officiate before applying for a State of Texas marriage license. Please keep in mind your license will only be recorded in the County and State in which you applied. I would check with someone in your state to see if it is legal for you to perform a marriage this way as most states say that a marriage can only be performed with a valid marriage license from the state the marriage is to take place in.

It does look like they forgot to take out this section in 765.002 which is a definition for a term that was deleted in section 765.17. (2) In this chapter “church under his or her ministry” includes any congregation, parish or place of worship at which any member of the clergy is located or assigned and also any administrative, missionary, welfare or educational agency, institution or organization affiliated with any religious denomination or society in this state.

And I would like to thank you for supplying these for me over the past years!

I don't think that would work at it could be considered a 'proxy' wedding and that is not legal in most states. Your safest bet would be to do a 'commitment' ceremony on the 9th and then do a short legal ceremony (in person with witnesses, if your state requires witnesses) on the 12th.

Having done about 200 weddings I have only used contracts about 5 times and only for couples who request them. Maybe that is a bad business practice on my part, but that is how I do it. I am a member of the AAWO Wedding Officiant Yahoo group and some on there have 5 page contracts and some don't use any. I can send you a copy of what I have if you would like but based on what I have heard on the Yahoo group, it is not all-inclusive as far as covering all contingencies.

I think you had a typo in the above. ULCHQ.com is the modesto site and ULCHQ.com is the monastery site.

I tried to PM you but your inbox is full! If you are planning on doing this and doing ordinations in the near future, I would be interested in seeing what requirements you would have to be ordained. Thanks.

Are you planning on doing this and if so would you be ordaining as well?

I agree that practice is needed. Don't just read the ceremony, but read it out loud so you can hear how it is going to come out or have someone listen and give advice. You will be nervous for the first couple of ceremonies so don't worry if you are. Good luck!

That is good news!

Whatever works for the couple (as they have the final say) should work! Ask them.

It looks like a license was required prior to 1996, but that statute has been deleted. http://law.justia.com/codes/kentucky/2011/402-00/

It may depend on the state you are in. Minnesota recently changed its law so that you now have to be 21 to officiate a marriage! Prior to that you could have been any age and officiated.

I do charge for performing weddings, commitment ceremonies and vow renewals as it is a part-time business for me. I also charge extra to perform rehearsals. I do give discounts, depending on circumstances. I also pay taxes on this income (after appropriate deductions). I do require a deposit to hold the date/time for the couple. In a few instances I have charged a mileage fee due to the distance. My fees are here: http://www.idoidos.com/feesandfaqs.html. I have been doing about 20 - 40 ceremonies a year for the last 4 years. Joe

It might work to put it on your web site, as most email inboxes won't take 35 Mb. I had asked for a copy, but am guessing that it did not get accepted. Joe

I agree with the above! Good luck and if you feel yourself weakening, remember you have people here you can give you support!

If he wants to order one himself for his friend, then he can, but should leave you out of it.

Sending prayers to the people of Japan today!

Not too many. Charlie Daniels Band Nazareth Moody Blues Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Bob Dylan

You could also try here: http://www.myheartisyoursministry.com/

Churches Need Not Apply In order to be considered for tax-exempt status by the IRS an organization must fill out and submit IRS Form 1023 and 1024. However, note what the IRS says regarding churches and church ministries, in Publication 557: Some organizations are not required to file Form 1023. These include: Churches, interchurch organizations of local units of a church, conventions or associations of churches, or integrated auxiliaries of a church, such as a men’s or women’s organization, religious school, mission society, or youth group. These organizations are exempt automatically if they meet the requirements of section 501©(3). Churches Are “Automatically Tax-Exempt” According to IRS Code § 508©(1)(A): Special rules with respect to section 501©(3) organizations. (a) New organizations must notify secretary that they are applying for recognition of section 501©(3) status. © Exceptions. (1) Mandatory exceptions. Subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply to— (A) churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and conventions or associations of churches. This is referred to as the "mandatory exception" rule. Thus, we see from the IRS’ own publications, and the tax code, that it is completely unnecessary for any church to apply for tax-exempt status. In the IRS’ own words a church “is automatically tax-exempt.” http://www.trinity-edu.com/page.html?id=41

I thought that churches are tax-exempt by default and that the 501c3 designation was only needed if contributors wanted to deduct charitable contributions or if you wanted to apply for a grant. There are many churches that are not 501c3 and are still considered tax-exempt.