Have you been asked to perform a wedding in Boston? If you're planning to officiate a marriage ceremony, congratulations! Presiding over a wedding is a serious honor. That said, it's not one that comes without some considerable responsibility. With this in mind, we'll delve into the process in detail to make sure you’re up to speed on everything you need to know. Below, we’ll cover how to get in touch with the relevant officials before the ceremony, how to prepare for the wedding ceremony itself, and how to ensure the union is legally recognized in Boston.
1 How to Get Ordained as a Minister in Boston
Your first step will be to get ordained as a ULC minister (if you haven’t already). Ordination with the ULC is available online, free of charge, and provides the authority to perform legal wedding ceremonies! The process is simple and requires just a couple minutes to complete. To get started, click the button below!
Key Info for Ministers in Boston
- ULC Ordination Accepted:
- Yes
- Minister Registration Required:
- Yes
- Documents Required:
- N/A
- Minister's Residency:
- Relevant
- Minister's Minimum Age:
- 18
2 How to Officiate a Wedding in Boston
With your ordination officially registered, you'll next need to get in touch with the authority in charge of marriages in your area. Please refer to the next section to find contact information for the office in Boston.
When reaching out, politely explain that you’re an ordained minister wanting to know what types of documentation you will need to show them in order to perform a wedding in their district.
- Office Address:
-
1 City Hall Square Room 213
Boston, MA 2201 - Office Phone Number:
- (617) 635-4175
- Office Website:
- Boston Office Website
3 What You'll Need to Officiate in Boston
With that information in hand, you can head over to our online catalog to order any documents or supplies required to officiate in your area. For Boston, we typically advise ministers pick up an Ordination Package, but what you end up ordering will ultimately depend on the guidance you receive from local officials.
4 How Boston Marriage Licenses Work
With all of that taken care of, it's time to focus on the fun part: the wedding! If this will be your first time stepping up to the altar (or even if you have some officiant experience under your belt) be sure to visit our wedding training center for some helpful tips and tools.
After the ceremony is over, your final key task it to ensure the marriage license gets filled out correctly and returned to the issuing office. In Boston, a marriage license is valid for 60 days, there is a mandatory 3-day waiting period, and the completed license must be returned before its listed expiration date. To read more about how to fill out the license, please visit our marriage license training guide.
- Marriage License Waiting Period:
- 3 Days
- Marriage License Valid For:
- 60 Days
- Return Within:
- Expiration date
5 What to Know About Boston Weddings
Boston is one of the most popular places to get married in all of New England, and it's easy to see why. Whether you're on the wharf, a country club just outside of town, or one of the many hotels with waterfront views, you simply cannot go wrong. And as the biggest city in Massachusetts, you'll have no shortage of vendors to pick from!
