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Frequently Asked
Questions
 The
procedure for obtaining your Marriage License through
First Nation Church is simple, but it involves several
important steps that must be followed carefully in order
for your marriage to be legally registered.
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Complete the Marriage
License application online. Please note that
there are specific criteria that must be met,
including the current age and marital status of the
spouse applicants; this information can be reviewed
as part of the application process.
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Arrange for your marriage to be solemnized.
This is the actual wedding ceremony, and it may be
as simple or lavish as you wish. However, it must
follow certain guidelines established by First
Nation Church, the most important of which is that your marriage must be solemnized by a ceremonial Officiant authorized by First Nation Church. You may designate the
Officiant of your choice, and First Nation Church will
authorize that person, at your request. (For
additional information on the ceremonial minister
ordination
process,
please click here.)
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Complete the printed Marriage License forms
("hard copies"). These are the legal documents
that are mailed to you by First Nation Church.
Following your wedding ceremony, each copy must be
signed by you and your spouse, by two adult
witnesses of your choice who were in attendance
during the ceremony, and by the Officiant who
solemnized the marriage. It is not legally
required to have the documents notarized.
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Return the Marriage License administrative file
copy to church headquarters. The signed document
marked "Administrative File Copy" must be returned
to church headquarters within thirty (30) business
days after the marriage is solemnized. The married
couple should retain the copy marked "Spouse Copy."
And that's all that is required!
OBTAIN YOUR
MARRIAGE LICENSE ONLINE NOW!
We passionately believe that marriage is
an act of love, not an act of law. First Nation Church invites all persons,
regardless of their gender, race or sexual orientation
to celebrate the joyous covenant of marriage within the
bounds of our church. As long as you are at least
eighteen years of age, not currently married to another
person, and capable of entering into a binding marriage
contract, we will proudly issue a marriage license to
you and your spouse! To obtain your Marriage License,
please complete the online
application.
First Nation Church is a
traditions-based Native American religious organization.
Our faith is based upon respect for one another and for Nature. We do not believe in pushing specific political,
religious or social beliefs or doctrines upon anyone.
We welcome each and every person to worship, respect and
be in awe of the remarkable world that surrounds us. To become a member of our church,
you are not required to undergo any religious training,
be subjected to any rituals, swear any oaths or
allegiances, or claim any beliefs other than those you
feel in your own heart and soul.
Due to the nature of marriage as a legal
contract, you may not be entitled to any additional
benefits, including (but not limited to) health care,
insurance, alimony or child support. As such, you should
consider your Marriage License from First Nation Church
to be symbolic of your commitment and love for each
other, rather than an instrument for obtaining financial
or social benefits.
Due to political agendas, fundamentalist
beliefs or unenlightened thinking, many states do not
recognize church-based marriages. Several states,
however, now legally allow same-sex marriages (or civil
unions). If this is the case in the state where you
reside, it is in your best interest to obtain a marriage
license or civil union registration from your local
authority. (Generally, your local County Clerk issues
such documents.) If your state does not recognize
marriage between two consenting adults as something that
is based on love, not law, then we encourage you to
obtain your marriage license
through the church.
While we are a religious organization
headquartered in the United States, we do offer to
sanction marriages between adults residing anywhere in
the world. As noted elsewhere on
this page, your marriage may not be legally
recognized in the nation you reside in, and you
may not be entitled to any specific
benefits that other married couples may receive.
However, your marriage is considered to be a sacred and
consecrated covenant between you and your spouse, and
your marriage license, issued by the church, is a
lasting symbol of your commitment to each other.
The act of renewing your wedding vows
does not generally involve the re-issuing of a marriage
license; it is traditionally a way for you and your
spouse to publicly reaffirm your love and commitment to
each other. If you and your spouse are planning to renew
your wedding vows and wish to acquire a symbolic
marriage document to commemorate the occasion, you may
obtain one for a nominal fee through FirstNationMinistry.org/cert.
There is no specific, standardized
wedding ceremony within the church and, in fact, we
encourage you to design your own ceremony and write your
own vows. Remember: your wedding ceremony is a
celebration of your love, and the public declaration of
your commitment to each other! It can be as fun,
dignified, solemn or wild as you wish -- as long as each
of you announce your intention to accept the other as
your married spouse in the presence of a
licensed
Officiant and at least two adult witnesses.
Wedding ministers and ceremonial Officiants
licensed by
First Nation
Ministry (or via
www.ACWO.net) are given basic samples of vows that
may be used to solemnize your marriage. You may also
search the Internet (using, for example,
Google or
Yahoo!) to find variations on the term "wedding
vows."
A proxy marriage is one where someone
stands in for the absent party, or where the absent
party participates via telephone or video conference
(including Skype). Under the bylaws of First Nation
Church, if one of the parties to the marriage is unable
to attend for any reason, including military service,
incarceration in jail or prison or inability to travel,
the couple may designate another person to stand in for
the absent person. The standard
Marriage License is
acceptable for proxy marriages.
For a proxy marriage to be legally
recognized, the signature of each party to the marriage
must be witnessed by two adults who must be present. The
proxy (person standing in for the absent party) and the
Officiant may not sign as witnesses.
I'm Not A Cherokee. Can I Join?
The overwhelming majority of our members are either not Native American, or they do not carry a
sufficient bloodline to be considered a member of a federally-recognized tribe. You do not have to be born Cherokee (or
any other tribe) to become a member of our community, to be married under our laws, or to be recognized as a ceremonial
Officiant.
Always remember that you can convert to Judaism, Catholicism or Buddhism, and you can convert to the traditions
of Cherokee spiritualism as well.
Many of our brothers and sisters from Texas, Oklahoma and the southwestern United States broke away from
their original tribes during the forced "Trail of Tears" relocation, and so cannot today claim tribal
membership. Others have been denied tribal recognition despite family or community ties to tribes, including the
descendants of former slaves who accompanied Cherokees during relocation. We warmly and openly welcome each of you into
our community!
First Nation Church welcomes to its
congregations all people regardless of age, gender,
race, sexual preference or nationality. We include many
members who are gay, lesbian and transgender, and we
acknowledge the validity of same-sex marriages between
gay or lesbian couples, but the great majority of our
membership is considered "straight."
I Believe In Jesus Christ. Will This Violate My Beliefs?
We have countless members who also follow the teachings of Jesus, or of Buddha or other spiritual
guides. Your belief in other teachings are not compromised or violated in any way. There is an old Cherokee saying:
"Two things can be equally true." You can believe in Jesus and his philosophy, and also respect the Native
American traditions and culture.
Do you have a question that wasn't
answered here? Please contact
us!
OBTAIN YOUR
MARRIAGE LICENSE ONLINE NOW!
Copyright © 2000-2010 by
First Nation Church. All rights reserved.
Affiliated with the
United Red River Cherokee Nation of Texas.
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