Hey Hoovie, I'm curious and maybe you know
 

I just finished reading yet another book about the Amish people and something occurred to me that I've never thought of before..............

The ministers are chosen by "lot", correct? And I assume they do not get any higher education for this job. So what about licensing? Are their ministers licensed? If not, when they perform a marriage ceremony, are the people truly legally married? Or do the Amish even care if they are "legal" or not in this situation?

I've studied the Amish for many, many years, but never thought of this before. Maybe you'll know, Hoovie. Or perhaps ILG will have some input. Or anybody else - if you know, just jump on in here. Thanks!

Re: Hey Hoovie, I'm curious and maybe you know
 

I have a book-Housecalls and Hitching Posts-a biography about a doctor who has served a Pennsylvania Amish community for years. In it he talks about couples sneaking to his office to do their blood work (for awhile, at least, required in some states previous to marriage license being issued). "Sneaking" because young couples try to keep the wedding a secret until it is announced at church.

At any rate, from this I can say that at least some do get marriage licenses recognized by the state.

In at least some states, I could chose anyone to perform the ceremony, and it would be legal as long as they filled out paperwork in advance, though I'm sure the Amish don't take that route. http://www.brides.com/etiquette/cere...a/detail/3231/

http://www.weddingdialogues.com/Find...officiant.html
http://www.usmarriagelaws.com/search...ts/index.shtml

Re: Hey Hoovie, I'm curious and maybe you know
 

In my state, a minister does not have to be licensed to perform a wedding. Don't know about other states.

Re: Hey Hoovie, I'm curious and maybe you know
 

Interesting info about who can perform weddings:

http://marriage.about.com/cs/marriag...officiants.htm

In Colorado, a couple may marry themselves!

Most states say ordained or licensed clergy. Some states say a recognized minister of an established religion.

Re: Hey Hoovie, I'm curious and maybe you know
 

I am not sure they have an offical minister's license. But I do know they get marriage license from State/county. I don't think anything beyond "witnesses"signatures is required on that form.

Re: Hey Hoovie, I'm curious and maybe you know
 

Ohio Minister License Law

Solemnization of marriage
3101.8 Who May Solemnize
Any ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation within this state, (state) licensed to perform marriages, a judge of a county court anywhere in the state, an authorized judge of a municipal court anywhere in the state, a probate judge in their county, the mayor of a municipal corporation in any county in which such municipal corporation wholly or partially lies, the superintendent of the state school of the deaf, or any religious society, in conformity with the rules and regulations of its church, may join together as husband and wife any persons not prohibited by law.

3101.09 Prohibition
No person, except those legally authorized shall attempt to solemnize a marriage, and no marriage shall be solemnized without the issuance of a license.

3101.10 License to Solemnize Marriages
A minister upon producing to the secretary of state, credentials of his being a regularly ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation, shall be entitled to receive from the secretary of state license authorizing him to solemnize marriages in this state so long as he continues as a regular minister in such society or congregation. A minister shall produce or inspection his license to solemnize marriages upon demand of any party to a marriage t which he officiates or proposes to officiate or upon demand of any probate judge.

Section 3 (effective June 4, 1976)
All ministers who are licensed or authorized to solemnize marriages in any county on the effective date of this act are deemed licensed with the secretary of state as provided in sections 111.16, 3101.10, 3101.11, and 3101.12 of the Revised Code as amended by this act.

3101.11 Recording with the Secretary of State
The secretary of state shall enter the name of a minister licensed to solemnize marriages upon a record kept in the office of the secretary of state.

3101.12 Record and License as evidence of authority
When the name of a minister licensed to solemnize marriages is entered upon the record by the secretary of state, such record and the license issued under section 3101.10 of the Revised Code hall be evidence that such minister is authorized to solemnize marriages in this state.

3101.13 Record of Marriage
A certificate of every marriage solemnized shall be transmitted by the authorized person solemnizing the marriage within 30 days after the solemnization, to the probate judge of the county where the marriage license was issued. All such certificates filled with the judge, shall be consecutively numbered and recorded in the order in which they are received.

Miscellaneous Provisions

3101.99 Penalties
(B) Whoever violates section 3101.09 of the Revised Code shall be fined fie hundred dollars an imprisoned not more than six months.
(C) Whoever violated section 3101.13 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than fifty dollars.

111.6 Fees to be Collected
The secretary of state shall charge and collect, for the benefit of the sate, the following fee;
(K) for a minister's license to solemnize marriages, ten dollars.

Re: Hey Hoovie, I'm curious and maybe you know
 

Sam, Holmes County in Ohio has a huge number of Amish people living there. What does this mean to them? Can you interpret for me, please? Thanks!

Re: Hey Hoovie, I'm curious and maybe you know
 

If I'm not mistaken the only part they need to be concerned with is the bolded. And get a letter stating that their church has selected them as bishop to send to the Secretary of State. Just a guess.

Re: Hey Hoovie, I'm curious and maybe you know
 

Ohio accepts ordination/licensing by a local congregation. If a person sends $10 plus a copy of their license to the Secy of State that should get them a certificate from the state to perform marriages.

Re: Hey Hoovie, I'm curious and maybe you know
 

There is a site at http://www2.sos.state.oh.us/pls/mini...NO:RP:P1_REQ:S
where you can enter a last name (and a first name if you want) to find out if a person is licensed in the state of Ohio

you can also search by city or zip code