Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-22 • No State Pre-Filing Primary-Source Reviewed (2026-10-31)

How to officiate a wedding in Connecticut

Covers all 8 Local Marriage Recording Jurisdictions in Connecticut under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46b-22 & 46b-24.

Jurisdiction Summary • Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46b-22 & 46b-24 No State-Level Officiant Registry

Officiating in All 8 Jurisdictions in Connecticut: Under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46b-22 & 46b-24, Connecticut recognizes ordained ministers in active standing without maintaining a statewide officiant registration office. Ecclesiastical ordination with Agape Church International is free ($0). Typical couple marriage-license fees at the Municipal Vital Records Registrar (Town or City Where Ceremony Occurs) are $50.00 (waiting period: None (Immediate); return window: 30 days—confirm exact local clerk procedures before ceremony day).

Check CT eligibility & apply free ($0) Build ceremony script

Primary-Source Reviewed (2026-10-31) • Connecticut General Assembly — Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-22 (Who May Join Persons in Marriage) ↗

Interactive Ceremony Deadline Calculator

Calculate your exact filing & ceremony dates

Wedding State or D.C.

Ceremony Date

Step 1 • Church Ordination ($0)
Complete Agape Ecclesiastical Ordination for Connecticut
Obtain your permanent Agape Registry Credential ID and printable digital Certificate of Ordination ($0, zero renewal fees).
Sun, Nov 15, 2026
30 Days Before Ceremony
Confirm Local Clerk Ink & Return Rules (Municipal Vital Records Registrar (Town or City Where Ceremony Occurs))
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-22(a), all ordained or licensed members of the clergy belonging to Connecticut or any other state (continuing in the work of the ministry, as well as Connecticut Justices of the Peace and judges) may solemnize marriages without pre-registering with a state clergy office. IMPORTANT TOWN RULE: Under § 46b-24, the couple must obtain their marriage license from the Town or City Vital Records Registrar in the exact Connecticut municipality where the wedding ceremony will take place (valid for 65 days, no waiting period). Confirm current license fee schedules and return deadlines directly with that Town Clerk.
Mon, Nov 30, 2026
21 Days Before Ceremony
Complete Couple Questionnaire & Finalize Ceremony Script
Send the 10-question Couple Interview Link, confirm personal vows vs. repeat-after-me vows, and print your script in large altar type.
Wed, Dec 9, 2026
Waiting Period Buffer (None (Immediate))
Couple Secures Connecticut Marriage License
Ensure the couple obtains their Connecticut Marriage License early enough to clear Connecticut’s waiting period (None (Immediate)) without expiring before ceremony day.
Wed, Dec 23, 2026
Within 30 Days After Ceremony
Return Signed Connecticut Marriage License to Municipal Vital Records Registrar (Town or City Where Ceremony Occurs)
Witness Rule: Connecticut statutes do not require independent witness signatures on the official marriage license; only the authorized officiant completes and signs the solemnization certification.. Deliver in person or via tracked mail before Fri, Jan 29, 2027.
Fri, Jan 29, 2027

Ceremony countdown: 60 days from today • Always confirm holiday/office closures with Municipal Vital Records Registrar (Town or City Where Ceremony Occurs).Open Couple Interview Questionnaire →

Three separate parts of a Connecticut wedding (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46b-22 & 46b-24)

Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-22(a), all ordained or licensed members of the clergy belonging to Connecticut or any other state (continuing in the work of the ministry, as well as Connecticut Justices of the Peace and judges) may solemnize marriages without pre-registering with a state clergy office. IMPORTANT TOWN RULE: Under § 46b-24, the couple must obtain their marriage license from the Town or City Vital Records Registrar in the exact Connecticut municipality where the wedding ceremony will take place (valid for 65 days, no waiting period). Confirm current license fee schedules and return deadlines directly with that Town Clerk.

Couple’s Civil Marriage Document

Connecticut Marriage License

Recording / Issuing Office: Municipal Vital Records Registrar (Town or City Where Ceremony Occurs)

Ceremony Witness Requirement

Connecticut statutes do not require independent witness signatures on the official marriage license; only the authorized officiant completes and signs the solemnization certification.

Spoken Ceremony Wording Rule

Both spouses must appear in the physical presence of the authorized officiant and declare their mutual consent to marry before being pronounced spouses under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46b-22 & 46b-24.

Ordination Cost vs. Physical Documents

Ordination: $0. Optional physical ordination certificate & ceremony binder—Connecticut does not maintain a state minister pre-registration office.

4 clear steps before ceremony day in Connecticut

Complete free ecclesiastical ordination ($0): Apply online in under a minute to receive your Agape Registry Credential ID and printable digital certificate—with no annual renewal fees.
Complete any required local clerk registration early: Confirm with the issuing Municipal Vital Records Registrar (Town or City Where Ceremony Occurs) whether they request to inspect a printed credential or have county-specific signing instructions.
Prepare and rehearse the ceremony: Take our free 6-lesson first-time officiant course and customize a word-for-word script at /ceremony-scripts.
Execute & return the couple’s marriage license on time: Follow Connecticut’s witness rule (connecticut statutes do not require independent witness signatures on the official marriage license; only the authorized officiant completes and signs the solemnization certification.) and return the signed license to the issuing Municipal Vital Records Registrar (Town or City Where Ceremony Occurs) within the statutory deadline (typically 30 days—confirm exact deadline printed on the couple’s license packet).