Full question:
My friend became an ordained minister online. His license is from another state; can he legally marry my fiance and me in the state of Illinois? How can I check to make sure he is legal.
- Category: Marriage
- Date:
- State: Illinois
Answer:
In Illinois, a marriage can be solemnized by various officials, including ordained ministers. According to Illinois law, the officiant must be in good standing with their religious denomination, Indian Nation, Tribe, or Native Group (see 750 ILCS 209). If your friend is ordained and meets these requirements, he can legally perform your marriage.
It's important to note that even if the officiant is not legally qualified, the marriage is still valid if either party believed them to be qualified.
To verify your friend's legal status as an officiant, you may want to check with the local county clerk's office or the organization that issued his ordination.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.