Prerequisites & documents to check

Domain 1

Baptism

Adult

The candidate has been instructed (baptismal class or individually) on the fundamental beliefs. Examination of the candidate: public before the congregation — or, if impossible, by the church board / the elders' college, which reports to the congregation before the baptism. The candidate affirms the baptismal vow. The congregation votes to receive them as a member (subject to baptism, without undue delay). Verify they are not already baptized / a member elsewhere. If they come from another Adventist church: it's a transfer, not a rebaptism. Officiant: ordained pastor. An elder baptizes only with the written authorization of the conference president. Present the Baptismal Certificate and Commitment, completed.

→ Prepare the ceremony: visit, spiritual side, order of service, reverse timeline · Administrative operations (Church Manual)

Minor — additionally

Sufficient maturity: the child understands the commitment they are making (the Manual sets no age — pastoral discernment). Consent of the parents. If the parents are separated or divorced: agreement of both holders of parental authority (it remains joint after divorce). If one parent disagrees: postpone, do not override. Obtain the consent in writing (dated, signed), and keep it.

To confirm locally: the terms of parental authority (routine act / major act) fall under civil law; have the "both parents' agreement" rule validated by your conference or a lawyer before fixing it.

Domain 2

Marriage

The legal prerequisite

Require proof that the civil marriage has already taken place: a recent civil marriage certificate, or the family record book. The religious blessing follows the civil marriage. You have no civil-registrar role: you sign no civil register, you declare nothing to the administration. Civil marriage celebrated abroad: verify its transcription under French law.

⚠ Criminal risk — never neglect it

Celebrating a religious marriage without a prior civil marriage is an offense: Article 433-21 of the Penal Code — 1 year imprisonment and €7,500 for the minister of religion who does so "habitually" (from the 2nd time). Requiring the civil certificate also indirectly covers legal freedom to marry: the mayor has already verified that neither is already married and that any divorce is final.

The Church side

Officiant: ordained pastor (conference authorization depending on the division). The elder does not officiate marriages, as a rule. Divorced fiancé: establish the facts (request the divorce judgment) to discern whether they are the "faithful spouse" — the only case, with the death of the spouse, in which remarriage is biblically recognized. Otherwise, the remarriage of a divorced person is a reason for discipline. In doubt: see the conference. Unequal yoke: the Church strongly discourages the marriage of an Adventist with a non-Adventist and urges pastors not to officiate. Premarital preparation: pastoral counseling (Sabbath, finances, leisure, raising children).

Documents to gather

Civil marriage certificate or family record book (mandatory, before). For a divorced person: copy of the divorce judgment (doctrinal question of remarriage). Premarital preparation form (optional).

Domain 3

Membership transfer

The member sends their request for a transfer letter to the secretary of the receiving church, who forwards it to the secretary of the church of origin. Double vote: the church of origin votes to grant the letter; the receiving church votes to receive. The committee recommends — it does not grant. The congregation votes. Verify the member is "in regular standing": baptized, on the register, not under censure. The member remains on the origin church's roll until received elsewhere: never remove them immediately. Settle pending matters (offices, commitments) before departure.

Domain 4

Funerals

The civil-registry side — which you don't handle, but must know is done before you officiate.

The death has been declared at the town hall (within 24 h) — by the family or the funeral directors, not by you. The burial permit has been issued by the town hall (on a doctor's death certificate) before the burial. Your religious ceremony comes after these formalities. Unnatural death (accident, suicide, violence): a medico-legal obstacle (police report, sometimes an autopsy) may delay the permit. Don't set the ceremony date before it's granted. Legal deadline: burial or cremation within 14 days (since July 2024; a prefectural exemption is possible). Fit the ceremony within that frame. Coordinate with the funeral directors (who carry the formalities) and the family's steady point person. As with marriage: you have no civil-registry role for the death.

Domain 5

Child dedication (presentation)

Recall the meaning: the dedication is not a baptism — it commits the parents and the congregation, it does not "save" the child. Consent of the parents. If separated or divorced: agreement of both holders of parental authority (as for a minor's baptism). If they disagree: postpone. The Manual sets no condition of the parents' marital status or membership: welcome comes first — pastoral discernment according to your church's context. Prepare a dedication certificate in advance; set the date with the parents.