Case Name: JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 2001-1
Court: Oklahoma Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel
Jurisdiction: Oklahoma
Decision Date: 2001-03-30
Citations: 86 P.3d 666
Docket Number: No. 2001-1
Parties: JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 2001-1.
Judges: 
Reporter: Pacific Reporter 3d
Volume: 86
Pages: 666–666

Head Matter:
2001 OK JUD ETH 1
JUDICIAL ETHICS OPINION 2001-1.
No. 2001-1.
Oklahoma Judicial Ethics Advisory Panel.
March 30, 2001.

Opinion:
QUESTION 1: May a sitting judge or an active retired judge charge and/or accept a fee/honorarium for conducting a marriage outside of the Courthouse when the ceremony is on the judge's personal time, i.e., evenings or weekends?
WE ANSWER: NO.
Canon 2A: "A judge should respect and comply with the law...."
Oklahoma Constitution, Article XV, § 1:
"All public officers, before entering upon the duties of their offices, shall take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation: T, ., do solemnly swear (or affirm) . that I will not knowingly, receive, directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing, for the performance or non-performance of any act or duty pertaining to my office, other than the compensation allowed by law....' "
43 O.S. § 7:
"A. All marriages must be contracted by a formal ceremony performed or solemnized . by a judge or retired judge-"
The performance or solemnization of a marriage is an official act of a judge. A judge may not charge a fee nor accept a gratuity for the performance of any official act.
/s/ Robert L. Bailey, Chairman
/s/ Robert A. Layden, Vice Chairman
/s/ Milton C. Craig, Secretary