There are couples who choose to get married while one partner incarcerated. This does not mean that the wedding day cannot be special. Taking steps to bond your partnership demostrates your love and commitment to each other. It's the building block that two spirits seek to help each other unfold, grow, and develop into beautiful people.

I will provide wedding officiant services for weddings when the bride or groom is incarcerated. I understand that there are many different reasons for a couple to get married while one is incarcerated (insurance reasons, to legitimatize the children, money reasons, family visits, true love, wishing to keep the prisoner incarcerated locally, etc.).

Within the limits of the correctional system, I will work with you to create a uniquely special wedding ceremony that reflects your feelings, beliefs, and hopes for a successful future. It will be my job, as a minister, to help those who participate and attend the ceremony to transform present reality into an illusion. While creating a space that is sacred, blessed, and prepared for the ceremony of marriage; your marriage will start off in the light of love and God.

So think creatively and let your imagination run wild until you find something that both of you shared and enjoyed together that can be symbolized through words, song, body language, or touch.

Marrying someone in jail takes time, patience and effort. You can not just go to the courthouse and purchase a marriage license so marrying an inmate is more costly. I will officiate your wedding in jail. Call me at 602.218.0886 or email me at theofficiant@gmail.com and lets make it happen.


No bars of any jail can separate you from your loved one. We have assisted many brides throughout Arizona

Thumbtack Wedding Officiant

Arizona Law-Chapter: 900-INMATE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
DEPARTMENT ORDER MANUAL DEPARTMENT ORDER: 904
INMATE RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES/ MARRIAGE REQUESTS


904.07 MARRIAGE - An inmate may marry a person of the opposite sex, provided that the marriage is legal, does not pose a risk to the safe, secure and orderly operation of the Department or jeopardize public safety.

1.1 Permission to marry does not supersede or change any instructions governing visitation, release procedures, mail and property or phone calls. Refer to the appropriate Department Order for complete rules and regulations.

1.2 If not in the best interests of the community, a marriage does not guarantee or mandate that an inmate will be approved to reside with a new spouse upon transfer from an institution to any release under community supervision.

1.3 The following requirements apply to both an inmate requesting approval to marry and to the prospective spouse:

1.3.1 Neither person shall be currently married, mentally incapacitated, of a blood relation of first cousins or closer or of the same sex.

1.3.2 The inmate has no major disciplinary charges pending and is not confined in a detention unit, disciplinary isolation or investigative "lock up" detention.

1.3.3 The inmate is eligible to have visitors at the time of the application and remains so qualified until the marriage.

1.4 The inmate making the marriage application, whether indigent or not, accepts responsibility for all expenses related to the marriage process including the marriage license fee and ceremony expenses.

1.5 The necessary procedures for the issuance of a license and performance of the ceremony shall not present a threat to the safe, secure and orderly operation of the institution or jeopardize public safety.

1.6 The inmate shall obtain a Marriage Application, Form 904-2, from the assigned Unit Correctional Chaplain. The inmate shall complete Sections I and II of the Marriage Application and return it to the Chaplain who shall:

1.6.1 Review the application to determine if it is complete.

1.6.2 Return incomplete applications with instructions for proper completion.

1.6.3 Accept and review completed applications to determine if the applying inmate and the prospective spouse meet the eligibility requirements listed above.

1.6.4 Complete Section III of the Marriage Application.

1.6.4.1 The Chaplain shall document in the appropriate comments section if the applying inmate or the prospective spouse fail to meet any of the eligibility requirements.

1.6.4.2 For those applications where the inmate or prospective spouse has failed to meet eligibility requirements, the Chaplain shall forward the packet to the Warden or Deputy Warden.

1.7 Approved Marriage Applications shall remain valid for one year. Approval may be withdrawn by the Warden or Deputy Warden if an inmate becomes ineligible.

1.8 If a Marriage Application is disapproved, applicants may appeal in writing, to the appropriate Regional Operations Director within ten work days after being notified of the disapproval. Inmates assigned to Private Prisons shall appeal to the Division Director for Offender Operations. Decisions made by the Division Director or Regional Operations Director shall be final.

1.8.1 Pursuant to ARS §25-125, a valid marriage ceremony is conducted in the presence of a person who is authorized to solemnize marriages; therefore, the Department shall not authorize telephonic marriages. An application to marry another inmate shall not be accepted and no appeal shall be permitted.

1.8.2 If circumstances have changed, the inmate may reapply 60 calendar days from the date the first application was disapproved.

1.9 The Chaplain shall coordinate obtaining a marriage license with all parties involved including the Clerk of the Superior Court, security staff, the inmate and the prospective spouse. A copy of the marriage license shall be attached to the Marriage Application packet.

1.10 The Chaplain shall coordinate arrangements for the marriage ceremony when an application has been approved. Coordination shall include arrangements for approved clergy, or a Justice of the Peace to perform the ceremony, who shall ensure that the ceremony meets legal requirements. The Chaplain shall ensure that:

1.10.1 The inmate, the prospective spouse and two witnesses of lawful age are present for the ceremony.

1.10.2 Inmates are not permitted special clothing for a marriage ceremony.

1.10.3 Photographs are not taken and no other publicity arrangements are made.

1.10.4 A copy of the marriage certificate shall be placed in the inmate's Master Record and Institutional Files.

1.11 Any inmate who marries in violation of this section may be charged with disobeying a direct order and disciplined for such activity.

DEFINITIONS

ACCREDITED MINISTER/RELIGIOUS LEADER - An individual representative of a religious group who visits an inmate and is approved to visit by the Senior Chaplain/Chaplain.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY - Any group service, meeting, study group or other group gathering for approved religious purposes.

RELIGIOUS VISIT - A meeting between an accredited minister or religious leader and a specific inmate.

SENIOR CHAPLAIN - Designation given to one chaplain who functions as the supervisor of other chaplains in the same institution or private prison, or a chaplain who functions as the only chaplain in an institution or private prison. In accordance with contract requirements, a private prison may employ a volunteer as a chaplain.