Legal Paperwork For "handfasting Rite" Of Marriage


ManangCam
 Share

Recommended Posts

Just what are the legal requirements for a "Handfasting Rite of Marriage"? Someone posted a Handfasting rite on the forum, and after searching the information within the ULC I found that this has been explained. Since we are a non-denominational church, and I'm from California; just how do I justify a Handfasting Rite in one of the 58 counties of California.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rev. Cam -

Handfasting is merely the ceremony and nothing more be done in California than filing the simple paperwork the County Clerk requires in the county the couple gets their license in.

THIS is the closest ceremony I can find to the one I am familiar with and have performed in Northern California. The only real difference in my ceremony is the holding of hands, crossed between facing bride and groom "X"'d, grooms right hand to brides right and left to left creating the Infinity symbol before "tying the knot"....the ceremony mentioned only has bride hold groom one hand as they stand. This is done prior to the placing of rings and after.

Hope this helps a bit.

Blessings of Peace,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Always keep in mind the distinction between the religious nature of the ritual/rite and the legal objective of the couple. Handfasting is religious rite/ritual, but the objective, most likely, is a legal marriage contract. The state doesn't care what ritual is used, or if there is a ritual. Handfasting, Wedding, Signing papers over coffee and Biscuits.. all the same to the state. They require paperwork and witnesses and timely Bureaucracy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrator

As said, if the ultimate goal is a legal marriage then you must follow the requirements found here. Those fine employees of the county recorders office will help you with the correct flow of paperwork.

The only thing required (found in the link above) is that "the parties shall declare, in the physical presence of the person solemnizing the marriage and necessary witnesses, that they take each other as husband and wife." So, as part of the ceremony you perform make sure that each of them specifically state that they take each other as husband and wife.

Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Rev. Cam -

Handfasting is merely the ceremony and nothing more be done in California than filing the simple paperwork the County Clerk requires in the county the couple gets their license in.

THIS is the closest ceremony I can find to the one I am familiar with and have performed in Northern California. The only real difference in my ceremony is the holding of hands, crossed between facing bride and groom "X"'d, grooms right hand to brides right and left to left creating the Infinity symbol before "tying the knot"....the ceremony mentioned only has bride hold groom one hand as they stand. This is done prior to the placing of rings and after.

Hope this helps a bit.

Blessings of Peace,

Would this be the same ceremony that I can use for a wedding set in the middle ages if called up to do one?

Rev.Cam

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is fairly close to most European/Nordic/Celtic ceremonies. If you researched "Middle Ages Marriage" you should be able to find something to start from and combine into a wonderful ceremony.

Don't forget to add into though what mdtaylor said about the wording above, that is important in our contemporary legal system.

Blessings Be,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share