Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Kansas?

K.S.A. 23-2504 identifies the people authorized to solemnize a licensed marriage. Its categories include currently ordained clergy or religious authorities, qualifying denominational licensees or appointees, judges or justices of courts of record, Kansas municipal judges, and retired judges or justices of courts of record.

For the usual ceremony before an authorized officiant, the statute requires two competent witnesses over 18 in addition to the officiant. A friend is not automatically authorized just because the couple chooses them. Ask prospective officiants which statutory category they qualify under; resolve doubts with the issuing court before the ceremony.

The statute also provides for marriage by the couple’s mutual declarations under the customs and rules of a religious society to which either belongs. That provision is not a blanket exemption for every self-officiated ceremony.

Questions before booking

• Who will actually conduct the ceremony, and what happens if that person becomes unavailable?
• Who checks the license and coordinates the witnesses?
• Who completes and returns the paperwork?
• What rehearsal, travel and customization charges are included?

Use our license checklist for application steps. The officiant directory includes business and court-resource listings; inclusion does not independently establish legal authority.

Reviewed September 8, 2026. Official sources are linked beside the information they support.