Massachusetts

Ordained ministers of the gospel may perform marriages. --- Before performing marriages, ministers are required to apply for a certificate from the state. For applications write to: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the Secretary, Supervisor, Commissions Division, State House, Boston, Massachusetts 02133. You must file a copy of your ordination certificate and a statement from the church saying that you are in good standing. Please let us know well in advance if you need a statement from us. --- Ministers must keep records of all marriages they perform. Also, ministers must return a certificate of the marriage to the town clerk or registrar who issued the marriage license and to the town clerk of the town where the marriage was performed. --- For questions see the town clerk or registrar or write to the Secretary of State.

8-10-2007 Rev. Katia talked to an official at the Secty of State's Office in MA. He told her all that is needed for Mass. ministers to be registered to perform marriages in the State of Mass. (they must also reside within the State) is for them to fax a copy of their Certificate of Ordination to 617-727-2836. He says they should then fax it annually thereafter, the first of the year being a good time to do so.

Massachusetts Title III, Chapter 207, Section 38
A marriage may be solemnized in any place within the commonwealth by the following persons who are residents of the commonwealth: a duly ordained minister of the gospel in good and regular standing with his church or denomination, including an ordained deacon in The United Methodist Church or in the Roman Catholic Church; a commissioned cantor or duly ordained rabbi of the Jewish faith.

Then there is a paragraph about ministers who reside out of MA but want to officiate a wedding within MA. They need to get a one day permit to perform a wedding. And must pay a $25 fee. Call this number for info if you are a non-resident of Mass. who wants to officiate a wedding there: 617-727-2836. Tell them you are out of state clergy and want instructions for getting the one-day permit.

I don't understand. None of those requirements would prevent a ULM Minister from performing a wedding in Ma. And the $25.00 fee seems quite reasonable for the extra paperwork an out-of-state minister would generate. That's way less than the cost of an out-of-state hunting or fishing license. You would simply add that on to your fees. I don't see any restriction here. They simply want a copy of your Ordination (a reasonable request), a Letter Of Good Standing, (easy to obtain and insures that your Ordination is current), and proof of residence, (also reasonable).

I guess I don't understand the complaint.