Is my online ordination recognized in Arkansas? YES!
What are the Wedding Officiant Registration Requirements in Arkansas? OFFICIANT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED Registration Office: County Clerk
Approximate Cost: $50
Processing Time: Up To 30 Days
According to Arkansas Code ยง 9-11-213, all wedding officiants must register with a County Clerk’s office before performing marriages.
Successful registration with any County Clerk grants you the authority to officiate weddings anywhere in Arkansas. This means you don’t necessarily have to register with the same County Clerk’s office that issues the marriage license to the couple. This flexibility is useful if you need to travel across Arkansas to officiate the wedding.
The County Clerk is also where the couple goes to file for their marriage license. You can find contact information for all 75 County Clerk’s Offices in Arkansas on this website.
How to Register as a Wedding Officiant in Arkansas The officiant registration process in Arkansas is managed on a county-by-county basis. This means the application process and required documents may vary from county to county. However, all County Clerk’s offices will typically ask for one or more of the following documents:
A Completed County Application (if required by the county) Your Ordination Certificate Your Letter of Good Standing
The county may provide a simple form for you to complete, or they may not require one at all. Once you’ve decided which County Clerk’s Office to register with, you’ll know if there’s a government-issued form for you to fill out.
STEP 1 ORDER YOUR REQUIRED MINISTRY CREDENTIALS All Arkansas County Clerks will require official documentation of your ministry credentials, which may include your Ordination Certificate, Letter of Good Standing, or both.
If the Clerk requires a document with a live signature, you’ll need to order and submit your Letter of Good Standing.
The easiest way to register with an Arkansas County Clerk is to order your Arkansas Minister Ordination Package or Signature Wedding Officiant Package. Both packages contain all the required ministry credentials you need to register with any County Clerk in Arkansas, including your Ordination Certificate and Letter of Good Standing, along with officiant training materials like our AMM Minister’s Manual.
STEP 2 CONTACT A COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE While waiting for your package to arrive, determine which County Clerk’s office you want to register with. For most people, this will be the same office that issues marriage licenses to couples. With 75 County Clerk’s Offices in Arkansas, you have options.
Call or email them to find out exactly what documents you need to submit to register as a wedding officiant.
STEP 3 SUBMIT YOUR PAPERWORK TO THE COUNTY CLERK After receiving your Ministry Credentials, submit them to the appropriate County Clerk. Do this well in advance of the wedding to account for any potential complications with your paperwork.
It should take no more than a day or two for the County Clerk’s office to process your application. Once approved, you’ll have the authority to officiate weddings anywhere in Arkansas!
Select the Credential Package that are right for you!
