Hi, I am new here.I live in Illinois and hope to do weddings there.Anyone else in Illinois? Any problems with performing wedding ceremonies?

Thanks a lot

I am new here too. I'm going to contact my local county clerks office to see what needs to be done.

That would be a start.

Yes,you are correct that is a good start.I did call my local county office and from what I was told,I do not have to have anything on file at the county or state level.Makes it simple enough.
I wish you well with your ventures.

I am here also. I'm also from Illinois and I'm also interested in eventually performing weddings although I have no immediate plans to do so. When you successfully conduct a ceremony would you please post a message indicating whether or not they accepted your credentials? Also, did you find out whether a letter of good standing is required? Did they say whether or not they would accept credentials from this church?

Thanks,

Mike

I live in the Springfield,Il area and from what I was told I do not have to show my credentials to anyone other than the couple requesting my services,if thay want to see them.We do not have to have a letter of good standing or credentials on file at the county building.I was told that there is nothing in the state statute that mandates anything on file either.The key thing is to actually be ordained,which we are.I suggest you double check in your area,but this is what I was told.I even sent an e-mail to the Sangamon county office (plus I made 2 phone calls) my e-mail was actually responded to by a fellow ULC ordained minister! He wrote that ULC ordination is accepted.

Good Luck

I am from Illinois as well. Like stated above, the person I talked to at the Woodford County Clerk's Office said there is no registering or anything like that. Just that you have to be ordained or have another qualification (judges) to marry people and would only have to prove it if someone contested you marrying the couple. Then she continued to tell me the consequences of it if you are not legally able to marry people. It's a class X felony punishable up to 25 yrs in prison. WOW Serious offense.!!

Also, if you don't mind me "stealing" your post. Could I get in trouble legally if I perform a same sex ceremony like if I use the Affirmation of Love Certificate for them. I know its not registered with the state like typical marriages but didn't know if there were any consequences just for me doing it.

I performed a same-gender union in June of '07 in Rockford. Since there is no same sex marriage in the state of Illinois, it is only a formality and celebration and is not even recognized by the state. The ceremony I performed was multi-faith in the way of Native American, Jewish, Episcopalian, pagan, and Wiccan. It is not illegal to express your devotion and love to one another through symbolic celebrations....God's Peace....To`na Wanagi

Thanks for the info