How to Become a Wedding Officiant in Kentucky

Congratulations, you're ready to officiate the wedding! If you need any assistance in this important task, we encourage you to utilize the tools below. Together these exclusive resources include everything you'll need to craft the perfect wedding ceremony for any couple. Created with our ministers in mind, they offer tips and helpful information for all aspects of performing a ceremony. Fun fact: many ULC ministers have become professional officiants using these tools as a guide!

Video Guide to Officiating a Wedding in Kentucky

All right, you've made it! Thanks for reading our Kentucky wedding guide. Prefer video to text? Below you'll find a video walkthrough for performing a wedding in Kentucky! In this video, we'll explain step-by-step how the process of officiating a wedding works and what you'll need to do to prepare.

How to Get a Kentucky Marriage License

Once you've determined what you need, simply log in to your account and order the materials from our online catalog. Based on feedback from our ministers in Kentucky, we recommend ordering an Ordination Kit. Although ministers are generally not required to register in the state of Wisconsin, it's not uncommon for the county clerk to ask for proof of your ordination. Thus, it's always a good idea to have a hard copy of your credentials on hand. Keep in mind that the couple may like to see them as well. Please place your order well in advance of the wedding to avoid complications.

How to Perform a Wedding

Licenses are issued by the County Clerk's office, and will be picked up by the couple. As a minister, it's your responsibility to understand how marriage licenses work in Kentucky and its individual counties. For example, if the couple plans to get a Jefferson County marriage license, you should double-check if there are any rules specific to Jefferson County.

In the state of Kentucky, the license is valid for 30 days. There is no waiting period between the time it is picked up, and when the ceremony can be legally performed. Finally, the signed marriage license must be returned to the issuing office before it expires.

Finalizing the Marriage

After you perform the ceremony, you will sign the marriage license along with the couple and their two witnesses. Your title is 'minister', the ceremony type is 'religious', and the denomination is 'non-denominational'. You will not be required to provide a license number. You may also wish to give the couple a commemorative gift, like a marriage certificate to mark their special day. Last thing: make sure the signed license gets resubmitted to the marriage office before the deadline!