Can a notary marry a family member in Florida?

Answer 1

in short... YES Here is what it says on http://www.flgov.com/pdfs/ref_manual11-22.pdf page 16: Solemnizing Marriage Florida is one of only three states which authorize notaries public to perform marriage ceremonies. The following guidelines should be helpful. Procedure The couple must obtain a valid Florida marriage license from a county court judge or clerk of the circuit court and present it to the notary public before the marriage ceremony. The notary public performs the marriage ceremony. An example of a simple, civil ceremony is printed below. It may be personalized, and the bride and groom may even exchange their own vows. But, the couple's vows must reflect their intentions to make a legally binding commitment to each other. The notary public is responsible for making a certificate on the appropriate portion of the marriage license and returning it to the office of the county court judge or clerk of the circuit court which issued the license within 10 days after solemnizing the marriage. § 741.08, Fla. Stat. General Information A Florida notary public may perform a marriage ceremony only within the geographical boundaries of this state. A notary public may charge up to $20 for solemnizing the rites of matrimony. §§ 117.045 & 28.24 (29), Fla. Stat. A notary public may perform a marriage ceremony for a person who is related to him or her by blood or marriage. The prohibition against notarizing the signature of a spouse, son, daughter, mother, or father does not apply because the notary is not notarizing the signature of the bride and groom, but is only certifying that the couple have been joined in marriage by the notary according to the laws of the State of Florida. Op. Att'y Gen. Fla. 91-70 (1991). The notary should check the expiration date of the license to ensure that the license is still valid. The notary should also require identification if the bride and groom are not personally known. It is recommended that two witnesses, other than the notary, sign the marriage certificate in the event that proof of the marriage ceremony is necessary in the future.Additional information about solemnizing marriage is located in the Q&A section on pages 52-53.

Answer 2

There are no proscriptions or laws that would stop a Notary Public from becoming married if they chose to do so and also had a partner that was so inclined. Can a Notary Public performsuch an act for two people that have the correct license is a far different question. And the answer is:

No a Notary Public may not perform the rites of marriage. That right or privilege is restricted in Mayland to a minister, official or other member of a religious group so athorized by the rules and customs of that group ORfor a fee they may be married by any clerk or designated deputy clerk of any Circuit Court of any county or of Baltimore City. A marriage performed by anyone else is considered unlawful but not void. If the couple getting married are married by someone without authority to perform the ceremony without their knowledge the marriage is still unlawful but not void.

Same sex marriage is prohibited in Maryland and no person is permitted to marry their:

• Parent or grandparent.
• Child or grandchild.
• Aunt or Unclle.
• Their spouses children or a brother or sister of their children.
• Stepparent or step-child.
• Spouse's parent, grandparent or spouse's grandchild.

Answer 3

Yes. Even though notaries can not notarize the signature of a family member, the Attorney General's office has given an official opinion that notaries may solemnize the marriage of a relative.

Answer 4

Yes. See the Florida Governor's Reference Manual for Notaries at www.flgov.com/notary_ref_manual.

Answer 5

Yes, a Florida notary can perform a wedding in Florida.

Answer 6

Only in Florida, South Carolina, and Maine.

Answer 7

No.