Legal Definitions - Solemnization of marriage

Solemnization of marriage refers to the formal and legally recognized act of conducting a marriage ceremony. It involves a person authorized by law to officiate, ensuring that the union meets the legal requirements of the jurisdiction where it takes place. The specific individuals permitted to perform a solemnization, such as religious leaders, judges, or civil celebrants, vary significantly depending on local and state laws.

• Example 1: Religious Ceremony

  A couple exchanges vows and rings in a church, with their pastor presiding over the ceremony. The pastor leads the couple through the traditional liturgy, pronounces them married, and signs their marriage license.

  This illustrates the solemnization of marriage because the pastor, as a recognized religious leader, is legally authorized in many jurisdictions to perform marriages. Their act of conducting the ceremony, including the vows and declarations, constitutes the formal and legal solemnization of the marriage, making the union legally binding.

• Example 2: Civil Ceremony at a Courthouse

  A couple opts for a simple, non-religious ceremony at their local courthouse. A judge, who is authorized by the state to perform marriages, conducts a brief civil ceremony in their chambers, witnesses their vows, and then signs their marriage certificate.

  Here, the judge acts as the legally authorized official. Their performance of the ceremony, even a concise one, fulfills the requirement of solemnization, officially recognizing the couple's marriage under state law, demonstrating how civil authorities can perform this function.

• Example 3: Destination Wedding with a Professional Officiant

  A couple travels to a different state for a destination wedding. They hire a professional wedding officiant who is not a religious leader or a judge but is licensed and certified by that particular state to perform marriages. The officiant conducts their personalized ceremony at an outdoor venue, and then completes the necessary legal paperwork.

  This example highlights how the "professional class" authorized to perform solemnization can differ by state. The licensed wedding officiant, despite not being a traditional religious or judicial figure, is legally empowered by the laws of that specific state to solemnize marriages, making the couple's union valid in that jurisdiction.