How to Have My Family Member Officiate My Wedding in Utah
Want a family member to officiate your wedding?
Planning a wedding in Utah and want someone close to you to officiate? You’re not alone. One of the most personal touches you can add to your wedding day is having a family member or close friend lead your ceremony. But if you’re wondering how to have my family member officiate my wedding in Utah, here’s a step-by-step guide to walk you through it—legal stuff and all.
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Step 1: Get Ordained (It’s Fast and Easy)
In Utah, your officiant needs to be an ordained minister or authorized by a recognized organization to legally perform a marriage ceremony. The good news? That can happen online, in minutes.
One of the most popular options is the Universal Life Church (ULC). They offer free ordination, but it’s a smart move to purchase their $50 official ordination package, especially since some counties may ask for paperwork or credentials.
Here’s the link to get ordained: Universal Life Church
Once your family member is ordained, they’re legally authorized to perform weddings in Utah.
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Step 2: Know What Utah Requires (It’s Pretty Simple)
Utah is one of the more relaxed states when it comes to wedding officiants. Your officiant does not need to register with the state or county ahead of time.
However, it’s still a good idea to:
• Call the county clerk in the county where your ceremony will take place.
• Confirm that no local requirements apply and ask if they want to see proof of ordination when the marriage license is returned.
Each county might have slightly different preferences for how the paperwork is filled out, so it never hurts to double-check.
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Step 3: Get the Marriage License (and Fill It Out Correctly)
Before your ceremony, you and your partner will need to apply for a marriage license through any Utah County Clerk’s office. You can apply in any county in Utah, but the license must be returned to the same county it was issued from after the wedding.
What your officiant needs to do:
• Conduct the ceremony
• Fill out the officiant section on the marriage license
• Ensure it’s signed by both of you and your 2 witnesses
• Return it to the issuing county within 30 days
After it’s recorded, you’ll be able to request certified copies of your marriage certificate.
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Step 4: Write the Ceremony (Or Use a Script)
Once the legal stuff is covered, your family member can focus on writing a ceremony that reflects your relationship and values. There’s no required script in Utah—the ceremony can be religious, non-religious, simple, funny, heartfelt, or anything in between.
If they’re nervous, there are tons of free wedding officiant scripts online that they can adapt. Just make sure they include the legal declaration (“I now pronounce you…”), and you’re good to go.
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Final Thoughts
Having a family member officiate your Utah wedding is legal, meaningful, and totally doable. Just follow these simple steps:
1. Get them ordained through Universal Life Church (or another organization, this one is just easy)
2. Call your county clerk to confirm any local details
3. Apply for your marriage license and return it on time
4. Write a ceremony that’s true to who you are
That’s it! If you need help figuring out which county you’re getting married in or have questions about Utah-specific paperwork, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m happy to help however I can.
