In California, a notary with special training from a county clerk can issue confidential marriage licenses but is not authorized to solemnize marriages.
Some notaries there are going the next step performing the ceremony not as a notary but as a minister.
If you'd like to try, check with the country clerk and make sure this won't be seen as a conflict of interest. (The clerk's office probably does both--issuing licenses and performing the ceremony--but it's better to ask up front about you doing the same.)
The second step for a California notary public will be qualifying as a minister. Family Code 400(a) reads "Marriages may be solemnized by any of the following who is of 18 years or older ... a minister ... of any religious denomination." This isn't as hard as it sounds.
The Monastery (Universal Life Church) will make you a minister online for free in seconds. You can print out your credential. (If anyone requires more documentation, the Monastery will supply that for a fee. A Letter of Good Standing, for example, costs $18.)
They claim if you get static from the local clerk's office, they will provide legal counsel: "Legal Counsel is available to all ULC Monastery Ministers experiencing problems with registration." (Doesn't say anything about being free though!)
I don't get any kickbacks if you use them. I have tried their online system and it works easily. It's the quickest, least expensive way I know to get the credential to perform weddings so am passing it along in case you need this.
Update: 4-22-11: In Armenia, notaries perform weddings. Rampant overcharging for these services (one might call it "bribes") has the Prime Minister promising to crack down.
Lots more tips available in 12 Tips to Make More Money as a Notary Public
99 cents (probably tax deductible as business expense--ask your accountant)
Available for
Kindle or Nook or as an instant PDF download:
Image courtesy of Sharron Goodyear
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