PA Marriage Loophole?

[bitterlogic]

What is the name of your state? PA

Hi, I am currently going through a divorce... before you say this belongs in a different section, read on..

Under PA marriage law it states that: Any ordained minister, priest or rabbi of any regularly established church or congregation, Judges, Justices of Peace, and County Clerks or their appointed Deputies may perform wedding ceremonies. Mayors of cities and boroughs are also authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.

The rev. that married my ex and I was retired at the time of the ceremony and does not have a congregation. I have read elsewhere that past congregations do not count as a "regularly established church or congregation", but then again I am no lawyer.

I am wondering if this statute voids my marriage and if so, what do I do to start getting it nullified? Any advice will be greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state? PA

Hi, I am currently going through a divorce... before you say this belongs in a different section, read on..

Under PA marriage law it states that: Any ordained minister, priest or rabbi of any regularly established church or congregation, Judges, Justices of Peace, and County Clerks or their appointed Deputies may perform wedding ceremonies. Mayors of cities and boroughs are also authorized to perform marriage ceremonies.

The rev. that married my ex and I was retired at the time of the ceremony and does not have a congregation. I have read elsewhere that past congregations do not count as a "regularly established church or congregation", but then again I am no lawyer.

I am wondering if this statute voids my marriage and if so, what do I do to start getting it nullified? Any advice will be greatly appreciated, thank you!

The or, in "regularly established church or congregation", is critical here. The or indicates that he does not have to have a congregation. So no, your marriage is not void because the rev. who married you is retired.

 

[Ohiogal]

The regularly established church means a church recognized -- i.e. if he is an Episcopalian minister -- the Episcopalian church is recognized as a church.