Permission to Officiate in Maine

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Last Updated

7-7-26

Instructions for Clergy New to Maine & Clergy Licensing 

Occasional Visitors (e.g., weddings or funerals)

The process for clergy who come to Maine to officiate a single service is simple! 

Please complete this form which is automatically sent to Lauralee Raymond (207) 772-1953 x125), Executive Assistant to the Bishop. If you are registered with a local church for the occasion, Lauralee will speak with the priest in charge to be sure they are aware and approve of the service before issuing permission.

Permission to Officiate Form

In order to fulfill Canon 1:19 of Regulations Respecting Holy Matrimony: Concerning Preservation of Marriage, Dissolution of Marriage and Remarriage, non-canonical priests should complete the request form above at least 30 days before the solemnization (Canon 1.18.2) of a marriage.

Note: if this is a request for permission to officiate after divorce, you must first obtain the permission of your canonical bishop for the marriage and submit that permission along with this form. All required fields are marked with a red asterisk. 

License to Officiate

Regularly Serving in Maine, Not Canonically Resident

Licensing is for non-canonical clergy who serve regularly in Maine (over 18 days per year) and do not wish to become canonically-resident here. 

A license to officiate is not necessary if you are only serving occasionally as supply clergy. Learn more about how you can be added to our list here. 

For details, please refer to Canon 1.2 of the Diocese of Maine below.

  1. No Minister of this Church not canonically resident in the Diocese of Maine shall officiate on more than eighteen (18) days, whether consecutive or not, in any twelve (12) month period by preaching, ministering the Sacraments, or holding any public services within the limits of this Diocese until he or she has applied for and received from the Ecclesiastical Authority a license to so officiate. Such license, if granted, shall remain in effect until December 31 of the year following the year of its issuance, unless earlier revoked.
  2. Licenses shall, at the discretion of the ecclesiastical authority, be renewed from year to year for periods not to exceed one year. The ecclesiastical authority may establish requirements and procedures governing application for the issuance and renewal of licenses.
  3. No Minister not canonically resident or licensed in the Diocese shall be engaged to conduct services of this Church in any congregation during a vacancy therein, or in the absence of its Minister, without permission of the ecclesiastical authority or the authorized representative of the ecclesiastical authority.
  4. Every Minister licensed as provided in this Canon shall at the end of each calendar year report to the ecclesiastical authority services held, and if there have been none, the causes or reasons which have prevented the same. Such licensed clergy shall also make such further reports to the ecclesiastical authority as the ecclesiastical authority may require.

Licensing requires:

Please be in touch with Lauralee Raymond (207) 772-1953 x125), Executive Assistant to the Bishop, with inquiries.