10 States Where Pets Can Officiate Your Wedding
Letting your dog take center stage at your wedding sounds like something made for social media, yet in a handful of U.S. states, it’s actually possible in a roundabout way. Self-solemnization laws let couples handle the ceremony themselves, which means you don’t need an official officiant standing between you and your vows. Your pet won’t be signing the paperwork, but they can absolutely “lead” the moment while you handle the legal part. In these states, your furry companion can step into the spotlight and play the role everyone will remember.
Wisconsin Keeps It Loose On Ceremony Rules
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Wisconsin lets couples marry themselves without a judge, minister, or Elvis impersonator required. It’s one of the few states where you can apply for a self-uniting license, though there’s a disclaimer: you’re on your own legally if someone challenges it. Still, people have turned this freedom into something fun, such as having their Labrador “lead” the vows.
Maine Supports The DIY Wedding Crowd
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In Maine, there’s no need to stress about officiant schedules or county clerks watching over your shoulder. If you and your partner agree to marry and file the correct paperwork, you’re good. That means you can host your ceremony in a backyard with your goat in a flower crown at the center stage.
Pennsylvania Even Lets Pets Join The Paperwork
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Pets get an even bigger role in Pennsylvania, where couples can choose a self-uniting marriage license that leaves space for creativity. In Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, it’s common for people to let their pets “sign” with a paw print right beside their own. As long as the rest of the form is completed properly, the state accepts it, which lets your ceremony feel genuinely pet-led while you take care of the legal details.
Washington, D.C. Keeps It Ceremony-Free
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In D.C., the marriage can be entirely in your hands. You sign the license yourselves, and the city doesn’t dictate who stands up front or guides the moment. If your cat prefers to perch on a cushion and act like they’re running the show, that’s perfectly fine. As long as the paperwork is done correctly, D.C. lets you shape the ceremony however you want.
Montana Offers Space For A Pet-Led Vow Swap
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Montana allows couples to marry without an officiant, so long as the correct documentation is submitted. That hands-off approach means your ceremony can look however you want it to. Many couples get creative by setting up scenes where their pet leads the process.
Colorado Has Been Pet-Forward For Years
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Colorado’s long history of allowing self-solemnization has turned it into a favorite spot for couples who want their animals involved in the moment. There’s no need for witnesses or an officiant, which gives people room to make the ceremony feel personal. Many licenses end up with paw prints, and couples have invited everything from dogs and cats to the occasional llama to stand in as the day’s unofficial leader.
Illinois Leaves Room For Interpretation
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Illinois doesn’t spell it out clearly in law, but self-solemnization is recognized as valid. That technical gray area hasn’t stopped many couples from designing their own pet-involved ceremonies. Since the law doesn’t dictate how vows must be delivered, couples often assign their cat or dog a starring role.
Nevada’s Quaker Clause Opens Up Possibilities
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Nevada limits self-solemnization to Quaker-style weddings, meaning couples need to be part of a religious group that doesn’t use clergy. For those who qualify, the ceremony’s format is completely up to them. That’s made it a quiet haven for pet lovers who want their ceremony led by a tail-wagging “minister.”
Kansas Keeps Things Simple And Officiant-Free
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If they both consent and submit the paperwork, that’s enough. With the legal part handled directly, the ceremony becomes a blank canvas. For pet lovers, that might mean writing a script where their dog “officiates” as a symbolic leader—adding fun without breaking the rules.
California Has A Niche Loophole For Some Couples
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California offers a lesser-known option for couples who belong to faiths without designated clergy, and it removes the need for an officiant entirely. Two human witnesses still have to sign, yet the way you shape the ceremony is entirely yours. That freedom is what lets pets step into the spotlight, whether they’re sitting beside you or taking on a symbolic role while you handle the legal parts.