Were you asked to officiate a wedding, but don’t know how to get ordained? Or is ‘getting ordained’ on your bucket list? It’s on mine! There’s something quite beautiful about formalizing the union of two people in love in front of family and friends. And, if you would like to be the minister at a wedding of your loved ones, you can do it. It’s actually quite simple if you know the steps of how to get ordained online.
5 Easy Steps to Getting Ordained Online
Millions of people have gotten an ordination certificate because many of those getting married prefer the officiant to be a friend or family member. You can also do it has been on your wish list for some time. If you follow all the requirements, getting a certificate as an ordained minister from sites such as the Universal Life Church (ULC) is usually a quick process.
1. Research the Laws in Your State Regarding Officiating a Wedding
It is essential to research state laws before getting ordained especially if your loved ones have asked you to be the minister at their wedding. Each state has different rules and requirements, so it is important to be aware of them before moving forward with ordination.
In the United States, legality of weddings conducted by ministers ordained online may not be accepted as valid in some states. Other states are open to accepting unions of couples carried out by this method. You can check some of the laws at The AMM, but also check with the city clerk’s or county clerk’s office.
Certain states allow a One-Day Marriage Designation where family members or friends can officiate at a wedding ceremony. So you can do both–get ordained online and become a temporary officiant for a day–to conduct the wedding. At some other places, you may be asked for an ordination credential which organizations like the ULC can provide. It is best to contact the marriage officials in the state/city where the wedding will be conducted to ascertain their requirements. Once that’s clarified, the couple is all set to say “I Do”.
2. Find a Website to Get Ordained Online
Just do a web search on how to get ordained online and you will find a few sites. The Universal Life Church is one of the top choices for most people and has ordained millions of people including Lady Gaga and Sir Paul McCartney . Other good options are Universal Ministries, American Fellowship Church, Rose Ministries and the American Marriage Ministries (that’s where I got ordained!).
3. Click to Apply for Ordination
Do all your research about the various sites that offer online ordination. Make sure that you read the information provided about the process for that particular site. Double-check with other sources and read feedback and reviews from people about the organizations. Once you have finalized the site of your choice, move on to the next step: Click to Apply.
Find the section where you can get ordained online, it’s usually a large button on the homepage. Look for buttons that say ‘online ordination request’, ‘become an ordained minister’ or ‘apply for ordination’. And, click on it.
4. Fill the Form
The sites have a form that you need to fill out before you complete your application process. If you thought you would have to fill in a lengthy form with several details, you don’t need to worry. Most sites have a rather short form with basic details for you to fill. It took me under 10 minutes to complete my form.
Some of the things that you need to fill out include your legal name, date of birth and mailing address as well as a working email ID and phone number. Read the policy of the organization if mentioned, pay a fee if applicable (many are free!), and submit your application. It is that simple!
While filling the form, ensure that all the details are correct in terms of spelling, and contain factual information. For example, mention your complete legal name, not a nickname. Double-check all details before you finish the process. Once you have done this, your work is complete.
Wait for your certificate that will be e-mailed to you. The ordination process may be instant or take up to two weeks. You can contact the ministry if you don’t receive it by then. Once everything falls into place, you will become an ordained minister!
Here’s my certificate, I got ordained as part of my birthday bucket list.
5. Use Your Certificate and Officiate a Wedding!
Remember, it’s all about the couple on one of the biggest days of their lives, especially if they are your close friends. It’s natural to be a little nervous especially if it’s your first wedding since becoming ordained.
You can do a couple of things to make sure everything goes smoothly on the wedding day. First, prepare a script of the proceedings so that you know what to say. Then, have a rehearsal to get an actual understanding of the ceremony. With these things, you can iron out any potential issues before the wedding.
At the wedding ceremony, ensure two things to make it legally valid. One is the Declaration of Intent which is basically the part where the “I Dos” are exchanged. The other is the Pronouncement where you proclaim the duo as an officially married couple. Afterwards, complete all the wedding paperwork with signatures.
So–breathe in, breathe out, relax and conduct the wedding. It might be just as easy as getting ordained online!
Don’t know what to say as the wedding officiant? Read The 7 Most Beautiful Wedding Ceremony Scripts…Ever
From my experience, the entire process is smooth and getting ordained is something I easily crossed off my bucket list. It is also an honor to officiate at a wedding of your loved ones. Now that you know all about how to get ordained online, just go ahead and do it.
