State Laws for Ministers
Pennsylvania

SECTION 1503(A) OF TITLE 23 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA Code. Revised November 2004

The following are authorized to solemnize marriages between persons that produce a marriage license issued under this part: A minister, priest or rabbi of any regularly established church or congregation. (b) Religious organizations.--Every religious society, religious institution or religious organization in this Commonwealth may join persons together in marriage when at least one of the persons is a member of the society, institution or organization, according to the rules and customs of the society, institution or organization.

Marriage license needed to officiate.--No person or religious organization qualified to perform marriages shall officiate at a marriage ceremony without the parties having obtained a marriage license issued under this part. Marriage does require words uttered to establish at that precise time the relationship of husband and wife.

Recently clerks have referred to a legal opinion of the PA. States Attorney General as to authority of marriage officiants. An opinion of an elected or appointed official has not bearing in law and is just that, an opinion. You may not be denied right to perform or register a marriage license based in a person's opinion as the law provides the correct authority. Pennsylvania is not a registry State and no clerk has the right to deny your authority to perform weddings or register the license after the fact as you are legal ministers of the Universal Ministries which qualifies as well under:

Title 23 section1503, Article 1 sections 3 and 4 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, Public law 99-514, 26 USC 501,a,c,1-4, 26 USC 508