Self-uniting marriage
Encyclopedia
A self-uniting marriage is one in which the couple are married
without the presence of a third-party officiant
. Although non-denominational, this method of getting married is sometimes referred to as a "Quaker Marriage".
Although most states do not offer self-uniting marriage as an official option, Pennsylvania
has recognized such marriages for centuries (due to its Quaker origins and history of religious tolerance) and has offered licenses for these marriages for decades. These marriages only require the signatures of two witnesses in place of an officiant.
The issuance of self-uniting marriage licenses is controversial, however. Some Pennsylvania counties do not offer this form of license at all. Others only allowed such marriages when license applicants could prove they were members of a recognized religion without clergy, such as Quakers, the Amish
, and the Bahá'í
faith; however, in 2007, a Federal judge ruled that a Pennsylvania couple which was denied a self-uniting marriage on the basis of their secular beliefs must be allowed such a license.
Wisconsin also allows self-uniting marriages, without asking questions, but a form must be signed which states that the government issuing the marriage license cannot guarantee that the marriage will be recognized in all contexts.
Colorado allows self-solemnization without requiring a special form of application or witnesses.
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
without the presence of a third-party officiant
Officiant
An officiant is someone who officiates at a service or ceremony, such as marriage, burial, or namegiving/baptism. Officiants may be ordained by any denomination as members of their clergy, or by secular/Humanist or interfaith/interspiritual religious bodies...
. Although non-denominational, this method of getting married is sometimes referred to as a "Quaker Marriage".
Although most states do not offer self-uniting marriage as an official option, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
has recognized such marriages for centuries (due to its Quaker origins and history of religious tolerance) and has offered licenses for these marriages for decades. These marriages only require the signatures of two witnesses in place of an officiant.
The issuance of self-uniting marriage licenses is controversial, however. Some Pennsylvania counties do not offer this form of license at all. Others only allowed such marriages when license applicants could prove they were members of a recognized religion without clergy, such as Quakers, the Amish
Amish
The Amish , sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches...
, and the Bahá'í
Bahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
faith; however, in 2007, a Federal judge ruled that a Pennsylvania couple which was denied a self-uniting marriage on the basis of their secular beliefs must be allowed such a license.
Wisconsin also allows self-uniting marriages, without asking questions, but a form must be signed which states that the government issuing the marriage license cannot guarantee that the marriage will be recognized in all contexts.
Colorado allows self-solemnization without requiring a special form of application or witnesses.