Dear Colleagues,

I have received the following information from Heather Kimmel, our General Counsel, regarding weddings during Covid. I do not know if it will apply to any of you, but it’s an important heads-up in these days.
 
From General Counsel:
Please know that one of your colleagues contacted me today regarding the legality of a clergy person officiating a marriage remotely. After some research into that state’s law, I recommended that clergy not do this because of a “presence” requirement for a solemnizing officiant. While there are a few states that have issued COVID-era exceptions to officiants solemnizing marriages in person, it is only a few. And so I would encourage any clergy person who is considering doing this to proceed with extreme caution and consult a domestic relations attorney for a legal opinion in their state. The risk is that the couple’s marriage could be invalid, and also that the clergy person may be charged with a likely misdemeanor level offense for officiating an invalid marriage.
 
If you have any further questions, please let me know.

Peace,
Carrie
Rev. Carrie Call, PhD
Conference Minister
Penn Central Conference
United Church of Christ
Penn Central Conference | Website