Initial application for certificate: Form; required information. [Effective on the date of the repeal of the federal law requiring each state to establish procedures for withholding, suspending and restricting the professional, occupational and recreational licenses for child support arrearages and for noncompliance with certain processes relating to paternity or child support proceedings.]
1. A certificate of permission may be obtained only from the county clerk of the county in which the minister resides, after the filing of a proper application. The initial application shall:
(a) Be in writing and verified by the applicant or his superior.
(b) Show the date of licensure or ordination, or both, of the minister, and the name of the denomination, governing body and church, or any of them, with which he is affiliated.
(c) Be accompanied by two copies of the denominational standing of the applicant, one of which the county clerk shall file with the Secretary of State.
2. For the purpose of determining the qualifications of any minister who has filed an application for a certificate, the county clerk with whom such application has been filed may require that:
(a) The congregation of such minister furnish any evidence which the county clerk considers necessary or helpful.
(b) The district attorney and the sheriff to conduct an investigation of the background and present activities of the minister.
3. In addition to the requirement of good standing, the county clerk shall, before approving an initial application satisfy himself that:
(a) The applicant’s ministry is primarily one of service to his congregation or denomination, and that his performance of marriages will be incidental to such service, or, in the case of a retired minister, that his active ministry was of such a nature.
(b) No certificate previously issued to the applicant has been cancelled for a knowing violation of the laws of this state or of the United States.
(c) The applicant has not been convicted of a felony, released from confinement or completed his parole or probation, whichever occurs later, within 10 years before the date of the application.
4. The county clerk may require any applicant to submit information in addition to that required by this section.
Last modified: February 25, 2006