No, UPS cannot perform a marriage ceremony for you
UPS is a shipping and logistics company. They do not have the legal authority to conduct weddings, and no UPS location offers marriage services. What UPS can do is notarize documents — which means a notary public working at or through a UPS store can witness your signature on paperwork and verify your identity. A notarized document is not the same as a legal marriage.
If you are looking for a way to get married, you need an officiant — someone legally authorized by your state to perform ceremonies. That person might be a judge, a religious leader, a civil celebrant, or someone who has obtained an ordination or ministerial license. A notary public cannot fill that role, even if they work at UPS.
What a notary can help with is signing and witnessing documents related to your marriage — such as a prenuptial agreement, a marriage license process, or a power of attorney. But the marriage itself must happen elsewhere, with the right person officiating.
Key Takeaways
- UPS stores offer notary services but cannot perform weddings or serve as officiants.
- A notary public can witness your signature on marriage-related documents like prenups or license applications, but cannot legally marry you.
- To get married, you need an officiant authorized by your state — a judge, religious leader, or someone with a ministerial license.
- Marriage requirements vary by state and include obtaining a marriage license, having an authorized officiant present, and following your state's waiting period rules.
What a notary at UPS can and cannot do
A notary public is a witness. Their job is to confirm that the person signing a document is who they say they are, that they are signing of their own free will, and that they understand what they are signing. The notary then stamps and signs the document themselves, creating an official record that the signature was witnessed.
For marriage-related paperwork, a notary can notarize a prenuptial agreement, a postnuptial agreement, a marriage license process (in states that require notarization), or a power of attorney you are creating before or after marriage. They cannot, however, perform the ceremony itself or make the marriage legal.
UPS stores that offer notary services typically have a notary on staff or can connect you with one. You will need to bring a government-issued photo ID and the document you want notarized. The cost is usually between $5 and $15 per signature, though prices vary by location.
How to actually get married: the steps your state requires
Every state has its own rules for marriage, but the basic steps are the same. First, you and your partner obtain a marriage license from your county clerk's office or courthouse. This usually requires both of you to appear in person with photo ID and proof of age. Some states have a waiting period — typically one to five days — between when you receive the license and when you can use it.
Second, you hold a ceremony with an authorized officiant present. The officiant must be someone your state recognizes: a judge, a justice of the peace, a clergy member, a civil celebrant, or someone ordained through a religious organization or ministerial credential service. The officiant witnesses both of you saying your vows (or the equivalent), and then signs the marriage license along with you and any required witnesses.
Third, one of you or the officiant files the signed marriage license with the county clerk. This is what makes the marriage legal and creates an official record. Without this step, you are not legally married, even if you had a ceremony.
Who can legally perform a marriage in your state
The people authorized to perform marriages vary by state. Judges and justices of the peace can marry people in all 50 states. Clergy members — priests, ministers, rabbis, imams, and others — can perform marriages in all states if they are in good standing with their religious organization.
Many states also recognize civil celebrants, who are trained to perform secular ceremonies. Some states allow anyone to become an officiant by obtaining an ordination through an online ministerial credential service; other states do not recognize these ordinations. A few states allow family members or close friends to become temporary officiants for a single ceremony, though this is rare.
To find out who can legally marry you in your state, contact your county clerk's office or check your state's vital records website. They can tell you exactly what your state requires and whether a particular person is authorized.
When you might need a notary for marriage paperwork
Before or after your wedding, you may need to notarize documents. A prenuptial agreement — a contract about how you and your partner will handle finances or property if you divorce — almost always needs to be notarized to be enforceable. The same is true for a postnuptial agreement signed after you are already married.
Some states require the marriage license process itself to be notarized, though most do not. If your state does, the county clerk will tell you when you explore. A few states also require notarization of a marriage license amendment if you need to change something after the license is issued.
If you are creating a power of attorney, a healthcare directive, or other legal document in connection with your marriage, that document may also need notarization depending on your state and the type of document. A UPS notary can handle all of these.
Low-cost and free options for getting married
If cost is a concern, a judge or justice of the peace can perform a marriage ceremony, usually for a small fee or sometimes for free. Contact your local courthouse to ask about their rates and how to schedule. Many judges will perform a straightforward ceremony with just you, your partner, and the required witnesses — no elaborate event needed.
Some religious organizations will perform marriages for free or a small donation if you are a member. If you do not have a religious affiliation, a civil celebrant or online-ordained officiant may charge less than a traditional venue wedding would cost, though you will need to verify that your state recognizes them.
The marriage license itself has a fee set by your county, usually between $20 and $100. This is a required cost in every state. Some counties offer fee waivers for people with very low income; ask your county clerk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a notary public marry me if they are ordained?
No. Being a notary and being an ordained officiant are two separate credentials. A person can hold both, but they must use their officiant credential to marry you, not their notary credential. If a notary at UPS is also ordained, they could potentially marry you, but they would be acting as an officiant, not as a notary — and UPS would not be the place where that happens.
Do I need a witness at my wedding?
Most states require at least one or two witnesses to be present when you exchange vows. The witnesses must be adults (usually 18 or older) and cannot be the officiant. Some states have no witness requirement. Check your state's rules through your county clerk's office or vital records website.
Can I get married online or by mail?
A few states allow remote marriage ceremonies conducted by video, usually for people who cannot be in the same location. You will still need an authorized officiant, and the rules are strict. Most states do not allow this. Contact your county clerk to find out whether your state does.
What if I want to change my name after marriage?
You can change your name through the court system in your state, or in some states through the vital records office. You will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate. A notary cannot perform a name change, but they can notarize documents you file as part of the process.
How long does it take to get a marriage license?
Most states issue a marriage license the same day you explore, though some have a waiting period of one to five days before you can use it. A few states no longer have waiting periods. The time varies by state and county, so contact your local clerk's office for the exact timeline in your area.