california
law and quaker marriage
Quaker
couples who plan to marry should consult with the office of the county
clerk several weeks in advance for current
information about the forms, fees and health requirements.
California law [Family Code Section 307] authorizes
traditional Quaker “non-clergy” marriages. A statement
is to
be attached to or endorsed on the marriage license, showing
the marriage is entered into in accordance with the rules and
customs of the Society of Friends, and filed with the county
registrar of marriages.
If
a couple does not elect to meet with a clearness committee as provided
by their Monthly Meeting, and merely wishes to
have a ceremony performed in the manner of Friends,
arrangements should be made for an authorized person to“
solemnize” the marriage and endorse the details of the
ceremony on the license. For a fee, an adult citizen, such as the
Clerk of the Meeting, may apply to be named a temporary
official for purposes of completing the paperwork. Any
wedding ceremony desired by the couple may be used as a
valid solemnization, provided that each person to be married
declares in the presence of the witnesses and the authorized
official that they take each other as husband and wife.
nevada law
Nevada
requires a civil marriage license obtained from a county clerk. In
addition, the state requires that a marriage be“
solemnized” and recorded, and the record filed by an
ordained minister, a civil magistrate, or a civil commissioner.
However,
the state does recognize a Quaker marriage as an exception. A Quaker
marriage is “solemnized” if it follows
Meeting practices. A marriage “under the care of the Meeting” is
recognized by the State of Nevada with the filing of a Meeting’s
marriage certificate prepared in the form of Friends and signed by
the members attending the Meeting for
Marriage, and/or the Clerk or officers of the Meeting. For a
marriage “after the manner of Friends” the state requires
that
it be solemnized, certified, and recorded by an ordained
minister or by a civil magistrate.
Couples
in Hawaii, Mexico, and other places should check their local marriage
requirements.