Becoming a Wedding Officiant: The Notary’s Path to Officiating Weddings
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Four states let a notary solemnize marriages on the strength of the commission alone: Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Montana. Maine allows it too, but only with a separate Marriage Officiant License (required since July 1, 2023). The service pays $100 to $350 per ceremony, needs no ordination anywhere on that list, and fits neatly alongside mobile notary work since most ceremonies happen on evenings and weekends. This guide covers authorization, the ceremony paperwork, and the marketing.
States Where Notaries Can Officiate
Not every state permits notaries to perform marriages. As of 2026, the states where notaries can officiate weddings include:
- Florida (most common, widely used)
- South Carolina
- Tennessee (notaries were added to the solemnization statute in 2021)
- Maine (requires a separate marriage officiant license since July 1, 2023)
- Montana
In Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Montana, your notary commission alone qualifies you to perform marriages, with no ordination or religious affiliation needed. Maine requires the separate Marriage Officiant License described above. In every other state, a notary commission gives you no wedding authority at all.
How to Get Started
The process is simpler than you might think:
- Confirm your state allows it. Check your Secretary of State’s website or the National Notary Association for current rules.
- Review the marriage laws. Each state has different requirements for the marriage license, waiting periods, and who must sign. Florida, for example, requires the couple to obtain a marriage license from the county clerk before the ceremony.
- Understand the ceremony requirements. Most states require specific language during the ceremony. In Florida, you must ask each person to confirm they take the other as their spouse. The exact wording varies but the core requirement is that both parties give verbal consent.
- Complete the marriage certificate. After the ceremony, you sign the marriage license along with the couple and any required witnesses. Return the completed license to the county clerk within the state’s deadline (typically 3-10 days).
What to Charge
Notary wedding officiants typically charge $100-$350 per ceremony. The rate depends on your market, whether you write a custom ceremony script, and how far you travel. Florida notaries doing quick courthouse-style ceremonies at their office often charge $100-$150. A full custom ceremony with a written script, rehearsal, and travel can run $250-$350.
For comparison, couples typically pay $200-$800 for a professional wedding officiant. As a notary-officiant, you can offer a lower price point while still providing a legally valid ceremony. This makes you competitive for courthouse weddings, elopements, and small ceremonies.
Writing the Ceremony Script
Some couples want a short, no-frills ceremony. Others want something personalized with readings, vows, and a narrative about their relationship. Ask the couple what they want before writing anything.
A basic ceremony script includes:
- Welcome and introduction
- A reading or personal remarks (optional)
- The declaration of intent (“Do you take…”)
- The pronouncement (“I now pronounce you…”)
- Signing of the marriage license
You can find templates online. Keep the script under 15 minutes unless the couple requests something longer. Practice reading it aloud a few times before the ceremony.
Day-of Logistics
- Arrive 15 minutes early
- Bring your notary commission and ID
- Verify the marriage license is valid and within the correct date window
- Check that the names on the license match the couple’s IDs
- Confirm the required number of witnesses are present (varies by state)
- Perform the ceremony
- Sign the license and have witnesses sign
- Return the license to the issuing county clerk within the required timeframe
The most common mistake notary officiants make is not returning the marriage license on time. In Florida, you have 10 days. In South Carolina, the officiant must file the license with the probate court. Missing the deadline can create legal problems for the couple and liability for you.
Marketing Your Officiant Services
Add “Wedding Officiant” to your Google Business Profile and website. List your services on wedding vendor directories like The Knot, WeddingWire, and Zola. Include your pricing and a sample ceremony outline.
Instagram and Facebook work well for this market. Post photos from ceremonies (with the couple’s permission) and testimonials. Most couples search for officiants 3-6 months before their wedding date.
Partner with wedding planners, venues, and photographers. They refer officiants regularly and a good referral relationship can keep you booked every weekend during wedding season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any notary officiate a wedding?
No. Only four states let a notary solemnize marriages by virtue of the commission: Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee (since 2021), and Montana. Maine notaries must hold a separate Marriage Officiant License (required since July 1, 2023, free and automatic for Maine-resident notaries). Everywhere else, the commission carries no wedding authority.
Do I need to be ordained?
No. In Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Montana the notary commission itself is the authority, no church or online ordination involved.
Can I officiate a wedding in a state where I am not commissioned?
No. The authority travels only as far as the commissioning state, and Maine officiants likewise perform within Maine.
How much do notary wedding officiants make?
Typically $100 to $350 per ceremony. A Florida notary doing two or three weddings a month adds $3,000 to $10,000 a year.
Updated May 2026.
