Pennsylvania is not completely alone; Colorado, a state with basically no Quaker influence, allows self-uniting marriages and makes no reference to religion whatsoever. What we did, I just couldn’t imagine anything more meaningful than that.”. Requirements for a civil wedding include but are not limited to, signed consent forms from both parties, social security numbers, legal names and what they will be changed to, current address, and proof of divorce if applicable. The self-uniting marriage has thus become a very narrow option for atheists as well as people who don’t want to spend a few hundred dollars on an officiant, or those like Ryan and Briana who are rushed for time. Even for couples who decide on an elopement at City Hall, the process is still imbued with religion. This type of marriage doesn’t come without some cause for concern as it may be difficult to prove legally and may not be recognized in other states. Pennsylvania allows self solemnization with two witnesses to sign in place of an officiant. Even if all you want to do is put ink on paper, there has to be some kind of religion involved. Though in some ways the Quaker religion, referred to by Quakers as the Religious Society of Friends, is a cousin of Protestantism, it differs in quite a few pretty major ways. A self-uniting marriage license is a relative rarity, available only in a few states in the U.S., including here in Pennsylvania, where some county clerks are reluctant to issue them to anyone other than Quakers, for whom they were originally intended. This is even a requirement for civilians who get their officiant’s license online to officiate their friends’ weddings (for this, many people opt for the Universal Life Church, a vaguely Christian organization that grants licenses to “ministers”). (This doesn’t stop some of the western counties from giving those seeking self-uniting marriages a hard time, according to. Self Uniting marriage license Legal Problems are not always your fault! From here you’ll send in the required information and then will receive a marriage license that must be picked at city hall. (This doesn’t stop some of the western counties from giving those seeking self-uniting marriages a hard time, according to some messageboards.). Since neither of us belong to a religious affiliation, the woman at the office suggested that we could do a self-uniting ceremony (two witnesses required), or have a judge or magistrate marry us. Briana made a short speech to their slightly confused families. See. There are. You must inform the clerk that you … The Marriage License requirements for applicants to marry vary from state to state. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Whether you want an intimate wedding or to save money, both civil weddings and self-uniting weddings can offer you what you want on your special day. Ryan and Briana didn’t have that kind of time, so Briana went looking for something quicker. Finally Briana’s mother asked when the ceremony would be, and whether they were heading down to City Hall to sign the papers. To see a full list of states that allows this practice, check out our list of states that allow self-uniting marriage. I believe there is no reason today to require parties to go through this ceremony.”, The self-uniting marriage has thus become a very narrow option for atheists as well as people who don’t want to spend a few hundred dollars on an officiant, or those like Ryan and Briana who are rushed for time. Quaker/ Self-Uniting License fee varies by county. Self-uniting licenses are not an option in New Jersey. One of those is that the Quaker services can vary from a a congregation led in prayer by one person, to what’s called an unprogrammed meeting. In Pennsylvania, you can have a self-uniting marriage that will be legally recognized everywhere in the United States by filing out a special marriage license request. There really is nothing more “Colorado” than self solemnizing in the mountains. Does a Real ID Transfer From State to State? (Photo: A marriage certificate from 1906. A self-uniting marriage is one in which a couple are married without the presence of a third-party officiant.Although non-denominational, this method of getting married is sometimes ingredient of reference to as a "Quaker marriage", after the marriage practice of the Religious Society of Friends, for which see Quaker wedding.. By state In New York City, for example, City Hall marriages are performed by a certified officiant in one of two chapels on premises. Most states require that an officiant represent some sort of church or congregation. A stereoscopic view of a Quaker Almshouse in Philadelphia. Although there are differences between the requirements in the various states, a marriage between two spouses performed in one state must be recognized by every other state under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution. It’s a centuries-old tradition that’s found a place in modern Pennsylvania law, and it is, weirdly enough, one of the most progressive marriage laws in the country. A Quaker wedding in Philadelphia, 1947. Then as now, Quakers are tolerant by doctrine of all other religions, and opposed to violence of any kind. I believe there is no reason today to require parties to go through this ceremony.”. (Photo: Even for couples who decide on an elopement at City Hall, the process is still imbued with religion. How to Contact VitalChek – VitalChek Video, How To Correct Or Change A Birth Certificate, The Quickest Way to Obtain a Birth Certificate, Documentation Station: What You Need to Order a Birth Certificate Today, How to Change or Modify Your Birth Certificate, The Facts on How to Get Baby’s Birth Certificate. After this case, many counties in Pennsylvania provide self-uniting marriage licenses, regardless of the couple’s religion. All rights reserved. It is a way to get religion out of your marriage. Instead of a sterile City Hall experience, they brought both families over for dinner. It's very possible that in the future, Pennsylvania will change their minds and accept this, but I would rather have peace of mind and a legal marriage. An 18th century engraving of boats on the Philadelphia waterfront. Wisconsin makes allowances for self-uniting marriages to those whose religions use it, but it’s unclear how this plays out in practice. If you do not want a religious wedding or want to break away from tradition in general, you’ve got plenty of options. This is truly getting married without an officiant as you and your significant other are all that is needed to perform this marriage. A marriage certificate from 1906. The three cubs each had different colors. In other … Hi all, My fiancé and I are getting married soon in Pennsylvania. This is referred to as a self-uniting license. A Self-Uniting Marriage ceremony was what we wanted. Re: PA self-uniting marriages. King Charles named it Pennsylvania, and by all accounts Penn, who wanted to name it New Wales, was embarrassed at having a whole colony named after himself. (Marriage laws vary state by state, and emergency modifications vary by county. “Now we’re putting together this reception, for all the family and friends, and it’s such a big ordeal, and it’s all about showing off and consumption and stuff,” says Boswell. Back in 2007, a couple in Allegheny County, an area which includes Pittsburgh and is about a five-hour drive from the more Quaker eastern part of the state, ran into a problem. Traditionally, a wedding officiant is a member of a religious group who is also legally recognized by a state to perform weddings. You can have a civil wedding or have a self-uniting marriage. The biggest of those is, of course, gay marriage, but it’s far from the only one. Most states don’t let you have a self uniting marriage ceremony, and Colorado is one of the few that does. The solicitor for the statewide Association of Registers of Wills and Clerks of Orphans Court (the professional organization for those who issue marriage licenses in PA) has advised member registers/clerks that the state's abolition of common law marriage in 2005 also affects self-uniting marriage. Despite being a transplant from a religious law in the 17th century, self-uniting marriage is right at the forefront of one of the many marriage debates going on in this country. Planning a wedding is a brutal slog that takes months of work: booking venues, figuring out everything from officiants to clothing to invite lists to hotels to staff to food. More conservative Quakers are also well-known for “plain dress,” use of the word “thee,” teetotalism, opposition to abortion, and, sometimes, opposition to same-sex marriage. While Pennsylvania is often thought of as the only state to allow self-uniting marriages or the like, Colorado also offers what is referred to as self-solemnized, or self-officiated, marriages. Marriage license fees in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vary from county to county. A 2007 Federal judge ruling that allows Pennsylvania couples a self-uniting marriage without showing proof of membership with a Quaker or Bahai religion. The judge that performs the marriage acts as a officiant, but you won’t have to pay any more for them to marry you outside of what you paid when you submit for a civil marriage license. “We need to do this now,” Boswell says he felt at the time. Indeed, the self-uniting marriage is a weapon against the existence of religion in marriage altogether. If you want this type of license, you need to inform the clerk before you begin the application process. © 2021 Atlas Obscura. It turns out that Pennsylvania is not just home to its own all-purpose noun and its own ancient tiny house design: it’s also the only state that allows all of its residents to become married via what’s legally called a self-uniting marriage, or informally a Quaker marriage (or, depending how you look at it, one of two states). But Boswell’s father, though he’d been ill for a few years, began deteriorating quickly, and suddenly the wedding preparations took on a more manic tone. You’ll want to make sure that your local city hall doesn’t have any other requirements or special forms to fill out too. “It seemed to really touch him, and that was really worth something to me.”, The fact that he and Briana grew up in Pennsylvania wasn’t really a factor in his deciding to opt for such a Pennsylvanian marriage. Colorado is one of just a few states, including Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, that has legalized the act of self-uniting a marriage without the presence of a third-party officiant. It is important to note that not all towns in Pennsylvania will allow this type of marriage to be performed, so you must ask your local city hall about their regulations. It is, frankly, kind of bizarre. Hear "Mediation Board" and meet A.L. What You Need to Travel to the Olympics 2016, Divorce and Social Security: What You Should Know. 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So Quakers have for centuries conducted a different kind of marriage ceremony: the two people getting married give a short pledge to each other, then their marriage document is signed by witnesses. “I really want him to see this.”. Pennsylvania is not completely alone; Colorado, a state with basically no Quaker influence, allows self-uniting marriages and makes no reference to religion whatsoever. At a Quaker wedding. Colorado is the one state to use the term self-solemnization to allow a couple to marry themselves. It is where couples may perform their own ceremony and sign as both the officiant and the couple. Wisconsin similarly allows self solemnization without question – but, does require a form to be signed acknowledging the government cannot guarantee a self-uniting marriage will be acknowledged in all contexts. family law professor Erez Aloni, of Whittier Law School. (Photo: Mike Goren/CC BY 2.0), That’s not really why Ryan and Briana opted for it. Any marriage solemnized under this statute is and will be valid as long as it was authorized by statute. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The state’s laws have long been an improbable mix of conservatism and liberalism, much of which can be traced back to its Quaker heritage. You see the state we live, Pennsylvania, honors this marriage thanks to its Quaker origins. In other states, the … Self- Solemnizing states also do not require witnesses, … Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. For help obtaining your vital records like a birth certificate or divorce certificate, you can visit VitalChek.com. all those who have witnessed the ceremony sign the wedding certificate. No purchase necessary. Getting married without an officiant is possible in two different ways. A stereoscopic view of a Quaker Almshouse in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania is not completely alone; Colorado, a state with basically no Quaker influence, allows self-uniting marriages and makes no reference to religion whatsoever. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. This is it,” the couple told her. “She went on the Philly [county] website and it says on there, marriage certificate, 80 dollars, Quaker certificate, 90 dollars, and she was like, well, what does that mean?” says Boswell. If a civil wedding still sounds too formal for you, there are a few states in which you can have a self-uniting marriage. (Photo: Named Faces from the Past/CC BY-SA 2.0). “Now we’re putting together this reception, for all the family and friends, and it’s such a big ordeal, and it’s all about showing off and consumption and stuff,” says Boswell. All rights reserved. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world’s hidden wonders. Offer subject to change without notice. What we did, I just couldn’t imagine anything more meaningful than that.”, Rare Bengal Tiger Cubs Born to Exiled Circus in Nicaragua, The Underground Magazine That Sparked the Longest Obscenity Trial in British History, The Schmaltzy Reality Radio Dramas That Heralded Courtroom Television, Found: A Cuneiform Marriage Contract That Addresses Infertility and Surrogacy. Dick Boswell, Ryan’s father, passed away shortly after the ceremony, but he was able to see his son get married. Next you’ll have to schedule the date for the wedding itself and in most cases you’ll have 60 days from the day you received your marriage license to get married. Pennsylvania has a provision in the Marriage Act that recognizes a marriage performed without officiating clergy. At a Quaker wedding. Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. (Photo: Library of Congress/LC-USZ62-22392). all those who have witnessed the ceremony sign the wedding certificate. 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And whether you are eloping or having a traditional wedding ceremony, stationery can play a big part of honoring your relationship and sharing your joy with your family and friends. They applied for a self-uniting license, but were denied because they identified as non-Quaker. (“Meeting” is the Quaker term for a religious service.) Not long after, the police showed up. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. It is a way to get religion out of your marriage. “That is, why isn’t a marriage license enough? Many states, including conservative states like Alabama and Florida, already have laws on the books stating that, even though they may not issue self-uniting marriages, they’ll respect them. This is a rather new concept and has been untested but the concept is sound. A traditional marriage license requires an officiant to solemnize the marriage as defined under Pennsylvania law Title 23, Section 1503 (see above). (Procession begins with music) We are gathered here today in this beautiful historic park setting to witness Rebekah and Scott pledge their love to … Dick Boswell, Ryan’s father, passed away shortly after the ceremony, but he was able to see his son get married. There are many long threads about self-uniting marriage on the atheist sub-forums of Reddit, probably the internet’s most vocal group of atheists. These weddings are great for anyone who wants to have a budget friendly wedding, typically costing between $50 and $200. Civil weddings are typically held at the local city hall in front of a judge and do require at least two witnesses to be present. Did you know that you are able to get married without an officiant? An engraving of William Penn. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. The Nuccios, of Phoenixville, came up with a commonly used solution: They had their friend preside over their August 2016 marriage, but they got a self-uniting marriage license, instead. in one of two chapels on premises. Whether you want an intimate wedding or to save money, both civil weddings and self-uniting weddings can offer you what you want on your special day. Each of these states offer iterations of a self-uniting marriage: Pennsylvania Illinois Wisconsin Colorado District of Columbia California Maine Nevada Kansas 9. With Quaker teachings in mind, Penn made his new domain a place open to any religion, and his fellow Quakers settled in the eastern part of the state, helping to construct Philadelphia. In 1681, King Charles II of England gave the colony of Pennsylvania to William Penn, a British Quaker, to repay a debt. Birth Certificates: Short Form vs. Long Form – What’s the Difference? [In the United States, self-uniting marriage or Quaker marriage is legal only in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wisconsin, and DC. One photo suggests that rampant rumors of submarine smuggling were true. YES! Marriage in America, though it is a legal condition, almost always requires religion of some sort. Although often referred to as “Quaker licenses,” self-uniting licenses do not require applicants to practice a specific — or any — religion. Meaning that as it … Winner will be selected at random on 02/01/2021. In the District of Columbia and Colorado, any couple can elect to “officiate” their own marriage, without being asked about their religion. Since Quakers were so influential in the state, Pennsylvania created a loophole for non-officiated marriages, sometimes either called Quaker marriages or self-uniting marriages, which has existed in the state as long as there were marriage laws. You asked about self-uniting marriage license. How do I get a self-uniting license? Pennsylvania honors this marriage thanks to its Quaker origins. “And, I don’t know. (Photo: Leonard Mccombe/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images), He and his fiance, Briana, who grew up in the western suburbs of Philadelphia and now live in the city, were casually planning their wedding. Self-uniting or “marrying yourself” can be a really heartfelt way to begin your journey as a married couple. (Photo: Both the bride’s and groom’s fathers signed their self-uniting marriage license as witnesses. California allows "non-clergy marriage" by "members of a particular religious society or denomination not having clergy for the purpose of solemnizing marriage or entering the marriage relation," provided that specified forms, including the signatures of two witnesses, are properly completed and filed. The ceremony is about to begin. Will you consider a self-united marriage in the time of Coronavirus? Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Quakers were so vital to early Pennsylvania that they managed to get some laws passed that wouldn’t fly elsewhere in the colonies (or, later, the States). The custom is rooted in the Quaker faith … Two witnesses are required. I know PA is one of the only states where you can do a self uniting marriage, but I want to make sure this is just as legal for USCIS as a court house wedding where we could be married by a … Pennsylvania is one of the few states that offers couples the option of a self-uniting marriage license. It was set up for specific religious purposes, but it is illegal to deny a couple a self-uniting license because of their religion. “I got to see my dad tear up a little bit, and God, I never saw that before,” says Boswell. Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. Colorado is the only state that currently allows couples to legally marry themselves, without any caveats or the need for any witnesses or officiants whatsoever. An atheist couple in San Francisco reportedly were allowed to have a non-clergy marriage under this provision of California law, by entering "atheist" in the box for "religious society or denomination" on the non-clergy … YES!!!! In New York City, for example, City Hall marriages are performed. LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Women are encouraged to be as central in the religion as men. Self-Uniting Marriage License The Wedding of Rebekah and Scott. “I got to see my dad tear up a little bit, and God, I never saw that before,” says Boswell. It just felt right. Please call the Centre County Register of Wills office for their fees and other requirements. No. They had two years to procreate, or a hierodule would be hired. DC Self Uniting Marriages Colorado Pennsylvania (some counties may not accept applications for self-uniting marriages) Washington DC Wisconsin “That is, why isn’t a marriage license enough? A self-uniting marriage license does not require an officiant to solemnize the marriage. Shortly after, the couple, with the help of the ACLU, filed a discrimination lawsuit against the county, and won: it is now decreed that in the state of Pennsylvania, a county may not deny Pennsylvania marriage rights to a Pennsylvanian, or Quaker marriages to a non-Quaker. Many states, including conservative states like Alabama and Florida, already have laws on the books stating that, even though they may not issue self-uniting marriages, they’ll respect them. Even if all you want to do is put ink on paper, there has to be some kind of religion involved. In 1970, the editors of OZ magazine handed over the reins to a group of teens. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Did German U-Boats Smuggle Alcohol Into the U.S. During Prohibition? There are a few other states that have a form of self-uniting marriage, but there are caveats. “This is the ceremony.”, Both the bride’s and groom’s fathers signed their self-uniting marriage license as witnesses. “Why, and for what purpose, do we still require that parties solemnize—at all?” wonders family law professor Erez Aloni, of Whittier Law School. Thanks to a 2007 Federal judge ruling that allows Pennsylvania couples a self-uniting marriage without showing proof of membership with a Quaker or Bahai religion. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin also allow you to self-solemnize your marriage, they just call it something else. Wisconsin makes allowances for self-uniting marriages to those whose religions use it, but it’s unclear how this plays out in practice. An 18th century engraving of boats on the Philadelphia waterfront. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). about self-uniting marriage on the atheist sub-forums of Reddit, probably the internet’s most vocal group of atheists. United States Marriage Laws. (Photo: New York Public Library). “It seemed to really touch him, and that was really worth something to me.” The fact that he and Briana grew up in Pennsylvania wasn’t really a factor in his deciding to opt for such a Pennsylvanian marriage. Thanks to a reader comment, we now know that Wisconsin offers self-uniting marriages in much the same way Pennsylvania does. There's Only One State Where You Can Marry Without God as a Witness. More than 330 years later, Quakers are still major parts of the population and culture of Philadelphia and its surrounding areas, but in 2007, a federal lawsuit opened up the self-uniting marriage to all Pennsylvanians. Whether you want an intimate wedding or to save money, both civil weddings and self-uniting weddings can offer you what you want on your special day. Former D.C. council member Tommy Wells, who sponsored the Marriage Officiant Amendment Act in 2013, said he has had friends ask whether legalizing self-uniting weddings might lead to … They needed something fast, and wanted something small, quiet, comfortable, and intimate. It’s a centuries-old tradition that’s found a place in modern Pennsylvania law, and it is, weirdly enough, one of the most progressive marriage laws in the country. “Why, and for what purpose, do we still require that parties solemnize—at all?” wonders. Self Solemnization or a self-uniting marriage is a form of marriage that does not require an officiant. Please take your seats. “Nope! Margaret: Good afternoon, everyone. “And, I don’t know. This isn’t like becoming a notary, though, where you just get a license from the government. (Photo: Shortly after, the couple, with the help of the ACLU, filed a discrimination lawsuit against the county, and won: it is now decreed that in the state of Pennsylvania, a county may not deny Pennsylvania marriage rights to a Pennsylvanian, or Quaker marriages to a non-Quaker. Because of the disdain for ministers or priests, the idea of an approved member of the clergy serving as an officiant for a marriage is pretty much a no-go. For help obtaining your vital records like a birth certificate or divorce certificate, you can visit. (Photo: Library of Congress/LC-USZ62-12218). Unprogrammed meetings are a representation of the church’s classless dictum; sometimes conducted in silence, the town hall-like events see congregation members speaking to the rest of the group as they feel the urge, allowing the voice of God to channel through them. Other states that allow some form of self-uniting marriage are Wisconsin, Colorado, The District of Columbia, California, Maine and Nevada. It just felt right. Private Trip: Immersive Art and Otherworldly Landscapes of Santa Fe, Culinary Naples: Producers, Purveyors, and Pizzaioli, Writing a Personal History With Hadley Meares and Jessica Leigh Hester, Seeing America Through Its Roadside Signs, Why 1920s L.A. Vary from county to county Pennsylvania does sign the wedding of Rebekah and Scott is a way to religion. The wedding of Rebekah and Scott, you can visit “ Meeting ” is the one state to state giving..., where you can have a self-uniting license because of their religion Briana opted for it the couple religion... Those who have witnessed the ceremony sign the wedding certificate all other religions, and.! And enter to win the second edition of our book not require an officiant just. City, for example, City Hall marriages are performed by a state to the... Uniting marriage ceremony, and wanted something small, quiet, comfortable, wanted! 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