Can a Catholic laywoman officiate at a civil wedding?

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Matt4450

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My wife (Catholic) has been asked by her best friend (non-Catholic) to get certified to officiate her wedding. Assuming my wife would be able to meet the state’s legal requirements, what is the Church’s position on her officiating a wedding?
 
Assuming that both the bride and the groom are not formally bound to observe Catholic marital law (i.e., they’re both non-Catholics), assuming that there are no obvious impediments to the marriage (e.g., previous marriage, close blood relationship), and assuming that your wife is legitimately authorized by her state government to officiate, she is free to do so. She cannot apply for “ordination” from a non-Catholic “minister mill,” of course, but some states do allow ordinary citizens to obtain one-day licenses to serve as a marriage officiant.

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