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How to get ordained online to officiate a wedding

Becoming an ordained minister online takes about ten minutes and is free at the main organizations. The part that takes time is checking what your county and state require. Here’s the whole path.

By Jon Horton · Updated

If a friend asked you to marry them, you probably want to know how to become an ordained minister online, whether it’s legal and what it costs. The short version: you apply to an online ordination organization, you’re ordained within minutes, and you check your county’s rules before the wedding. Most of the work is the checking.

What online ordination is

Online ordination is a quick, no-cost way to become a minister in an organization that ordains anyone who asks. Most of these groups were founded for exactly this purpose: to let people perform weddings, funerals and other ceremonies without years of seminary. They typically describe themselves as non-denominational or interfaith, and they ask you to agree to their basic terms rather than a statement of belief.

That’s very different from ordination in a church, where a congregation or a denomination examines your calling and sends you. If you want to lead a religious wedding that is also a sacrament in your tradition, as with a Catholic wedding, you need a priest or deacon of that church. For many weddings, though, a friend ordained online is exactly what the couple wants.

In most places, ministers ordained online are able to perform weddings. The couple’s marriage is legal when the couple has a valid marriage license, the officiant is authorized under the law where the wedding takes place, and the signed license is filed on time. You are responsible for the middle part.

The details vary. A few states and some counties add steps or restrict online ordination, and clerks sometimes ask for proof. Because the rule that matters is the one in the county where the wedding will happen, the best first step is a two-minute call to that county clerk. Ask:

  • Do you accept ordination from an online organization, and specifically the one I’m considering, for performing weddings?
  • Do I need to register with your office or the state before the wedding? How long does it take?
  • What proof of ordination do you want me to carry?
  • How many witnesses are required, and who returns the signed license?

The main online ordination organizations

These three are among the best known. We list them neutrally, in no particular order, and we have no sponsorship relationship with any of them today. Descriptions are summaries, so check each site for current offerings.

Universal Life Church

Free to be ordained online

One of the oldest and best-known online ordination organizations, founded in the 1960s. It ordains anyone who applies, without asking about belief, and sells optional paper credentials.

Good for
Couples who want the most widely recognized name on the paperwork.
Keep in mind
Certificates, wallet cards and letters of good standing are paid extras. Ordination is the free part, so you only buy what your county actually asks for.
Visit Universal Life Church →

American Marriage Ministries

Free to be ordained online

A nonprofit focused specifically on weddings. Its site walks officiants through the requirements state by state and county by county, and it supports officiants who run into trouble with a clerk.

Good for
First-time officiants who want clear, state-specific guidance.
Keep in mind
As with any service, buy only the credentials your county asks for.
Visit American Marriage Ministries →

Universal Life Church Monastery

Free to be ordained online

A separate organization from the Universal Life Church that uses a similar model: free online ordination and a store for printed credentials and officiant supplies.

Good for
People who want a quick ordination and an easy shop for a certificate.
Keep in mind
It is easy to confuse with the Universal Life Church. Check which name your county clerk is willing to accept before you apply.
Visit Universal Life Church Monastery →

Disclosure: we mark these as sponsored links in case that changes. If pastor.care earns a commission from a link here, we’ll say so on this page. It won’t change the order or what we say about each organization.

What it costs

Ordination itself is free at the major organizations. What costs money is what you add:

  • A printed certificate or credential. Some clerks want to see it. Many don’t.
  • A letter of good standing. Sometimes required by a county or a venue, and usually a few dollars.
  • Expedited shipping. Worth it if the wedding is close.
  • Officiant extras. Apparel, ceremony books and registration help. You don’t need them to officiate.
  • State or local fees. Places that require registration or a one-time authorization may charge a fee. The clerk will tell you.

A good rule: apply for the free ordination first, ask the clerk what they require, and then order only the paperwork they name.

How to get ordained online, step by step

  1. Check what the county clerk accepts. Call or visit the website of the county clerk where the wedding will take place and ask whether ordination from an online organization is accepted and whether you must register.
  2. Choose an ordination organization. Pick an established organization. Ordination itself is free at the best-known ones. Read what each one provides before you buy anything.
  3. Complete the ordination form. Enter your legal name, address and email, and agree to the organization's terms. Ordination usually takes a few minutes and you receive confirmation by email.
  4. Order only the credentials you need. Some counties or states want a certificate, a letter of good standing or a wallet card. Order those only if the clerk asks for them, and allow time for delivery.
  5. Register if your location requires it. Some states and cities require you to register or obtain authorization before officiating. Allow weeks, not days.
  6. Keep your proof with you on the day. Bring your ordination confirmation and any certificate or registration to the ceremony, along with the couple's marriage license.

Allow at least a month before the wedding. If a state registration is involved, allow two. Once you’re ordained, read how to officiate a wedding for the rest of the path, and start your script with our example ceremony scripts.

States and cities that need extra steps

Most weddings need no more than ordination and the marriage license. A few places add requirements. These are the best-known cases. Rules change, so treat this list as a prompt to ask the clerk, not as the rule itself.

  • New York City: Outside New York City, county rules apply. Inside New York City, officiants are asked to register with the City Clerk before performing a ceremony. Check the City Clerk's current requirements well ahead.
  • Virginia: Virginia generally expects ministers to be authorized by a circuit court before performing a marriage. Ask the circuit court clerk early whether a one-time authorization is available for your situation.
  • Hawaii: Hawaii licenses marriage officiants through its Department of Health. The process takes time, and online ordination alone may not be enough, so check eligibility before you commit.
  • Nevada: Nevada officiants hold a certificate of permission from the county or state. Ask the county clerk about a one-time certificate if you are officiating for a friend.
  • Massachusetts: Massachusetts has a one-day designation process for a friend who is not a regular officiant, handled through the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Apply well before the wedding.

If your wedding is anywhere else, you still need to check. Some counties ask for proof of ordination or have their own forms. Our Officiant Script Builder includes a legal checklist for your state, and the questions in the “Is it legal?” section above work in every county.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting until the last week. Ordination is instant. Mailed paperwork and registration aren’t.
  • Checking the wrong county. The county where the wedding happens matters, not where you or the couple live.
  • Buying everything in the store. You rarely need more than a certificate and perhaps a letter.
  • Forgetting the license. The couple must have it before the ceremony.
  • Making a mistake on the license. Don’t cross anything out. Ask the clerk what to do.

After you’re ordained

Now the rewarding part begins. A good path from here:

  1. Meet the couple and ask about their story.
  2. Write the ceremony, or build it in minutes with the Officiant Script Builder.
  3. Hold a rehearsal, and bring the run-sheet.
  4. Sign the license and return it on time.

Common questions

Is online ordination legal for performing weddings?

In most places, yes. Ministers ordained online perform weddings in many states every day. But marriage law is set by each state and sometimes each county, and a few places restrict or add steps for online-ordained officiants. Confirm with the county clerk where the wedding will take place.

How long does it take to get ordained online?

The ordination itself takes about five to ten minutes online. Certificates or credentials you order by mail take longer, so order early. Any state registration can take weeks.

How much does it cost to get ordained online?

Ordination is free at the major organizations. The cost comes from optional extras such as a printed certificate, a letter of good standing, a wallet card or officiant supplies. Prices change, so check each site.

Which online ordination is best for officiating a wedding?

There isn't one best option. Universal Life Church, American Marriage Ministries and the Universal Life Church Monastery are the best-known. The deciding factor is what your county clerk accepts, so ask before you apply.

Do I need to be religious to get ordained online?

The major organizations don't ask about your beliefs. They state that ordination is open to anyone. Whether you lead a religious or a secular ceremony is up to you and the couple.

Which states require extra steps?

Rules change, and this is not legal advice, but well-known cases include New York City (registration with the City Clerk), Virginia (court authorization), Hawaii (a license from the Department of Health), Nevada (a certificate of permission) and Massachusetts (a one-day designation for a friend). Always verify with the clerk.

Can I officiate a wedding in another state?

Your authority depends on the law where the wedding takes place, not where you live. If you were ordained in one state and the wedding is in another, check the rules in the wedding's county.

Do I have to file anything after the wedding?

Yes. The officiant signs the marriage license and it must be returned within a deadline set by the state. In some places the officiant returns it. Ask the clerk who files it and by when, and take a photo before it leaves your hands.

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