I'm an ordained minister in the Universal Life church, and would like
to marry my sister and her finace. Would this be a state sanctioned,
in other words "legal", ceremony? If it is, can you cite specific
passages in state doctrine that I may use to validate the legality of
the ceremony?

Dear stoutenburgh-ga;

Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting
question. You must understand (and I?m sure you do but I am compelled
to say this) that we cannot, by policy, provide legal advice in this
forum. On the other hand I will point out clearly published law as you
requested.

The law is published in Maryland State Statutes § 2-406(a)(2)(i):

?(2) A marriage ceremony may be performed in this State by:
(i) any official of a religious order or body authorized by the rules
and customs of that order or body to perform a marriage ceremony??

MARYLAND FAMILY LAWS
http://familylaw.learnwithzac.com/states/Maryland/Marylanddetail-16.htm

Note that the statutes indicates ?ANY OFFICIAL? of a religious order
or body?. The term ?ANY? here extends not only to any official, but
also to any religious order or body.

The only exception is this, found at § 2-406(c)(1):

?(c)(1) An individual may not perform a marriage ceremony unless the
individual is authorized to perform a marriage ceremony under
subsection (a) of this section.?

This of course refers back to § 2-406(a)(2)(i). If you are authorized
to perform such a ceremony by your church, there is no problem.

Therefore, if a person is authorized to solemnize marriages or perform
marriage ceremonies by virtue of his ordination or other appointment
in or by the Universal Life Church, the State of Maryland will
recognize his or her authority as a legal marriage ceremony officiant
according to that state?s law.


I hope you find that my research exceeds your expectations. If you
have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. Otherwise, I welcome your rating
and your final comments and I look forward to working with you again
in the near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad ? Google Answers Researcher


OTHER INFORMATION SOURCES

MARYLAND FAMILY LAWS
http://familylaw.learnwithzac.com/states/Maryland/Marylanddetail-16.htm

LEXIS NEXIS
http://198.187.128.12/maryland/lpext.dll/Infobase/261e8/2623b/262a7/26368?f=templates&fn=document-frame.htm&q=2-406&x=Advanced&2.0




SEARCH STRATEGY


SEARCH ENGINES USED:

Google ://www.google.com




SEARCH TERMS USED:

Marriage

Law

Statute

Maryland

Officiant

Perform

Ceremony

Thank you for your incredibly, quick, and concise answer, and for
citing both Maryland state law, and links to websites to support your
answer. If I need to make use of this site in the future, I will most
definitely keep you in mind.