One way to become an authorized wedding officiant is to become an ordained minister. You can be ordained online from a church body that is recognized by your state. You need to make sure that the online ordination church you select is recognized by your jurisdiction.
Even though there are many helpful sites on the internet that list all the states and their corresponding laws, ultimately you should visit the actual website for your governing entity. Go directly to the official website of your state/county/parish/municipality or whatever entity governs your area. It is of the upmost importance to find out the current laws and rules for the area/state/county where you will be performing weddings.
Even though there are many helpful sites on the internet that list all the states and their corresponding laws, ultimately you should visit the actual website for your governing entity. Go directly to the official website of your state/county/parish/municipality or whatever entity governs your area. It is of the upmost importance to find out the current laws and rules for the area/state/county where you will be performing weddings.
I recommend that you look up your specific local governing entity’s official website. It may be the county, municipality or parish or even the actual state website. Sometimes it is the County Clerk’s office or the Town’s Vital Statistics office; it varies across the United States. These types of sites are usually .gov sites. You should find out about the marriage laws as well as the requirements of being recognized as a legal wedding minister/officiant for your locale. Some states require you to file your credentials with the county and obtain a Minister’s License. Others make no such requirement. Again it varies widely and you must do thorough research in order to make sure you perform wedding ceremonies while complying with the laws.
After you do some research online and understand the laws of your jurisdiction, you should also contact and visit in person with your county clerk (or whoever handles the marriage license duties in your jurisdiction) to make sure you get all the pertinent information. Then, if necessary, do the required filing or registering so that you are recognized as a legal officiant.
While at the courthouse (or other applicable government office) you should ask the clerk how to fill out the marriage license correctly.
Many states require that witnesses sign the marriage license too. Be sure to find out all the details of the license requirements. It is important to comply with the time limits for submitting the completed marriage license as well. Verify the address for where it is supposed to be mailed to upon completion. The county clerk in my town was very helpful and gave me a copy of a blank marriage certificate and she instructed me as to which parts I was to fill in.
I received my ordination online from Universal Life Church, and ULC was listed amongst the many denominations contained in the database of the program they used at the courthouse when the clerk registered me in the “Minister’s Record Book”. However, all states have different laws so be sure to do your research and make sure you comply with the all applicable laws.
1875 Marriage Certificate
