How to Become an Ordained Minister in Oklahoma
If you haven't yet become ordained with the Universal Life Church, that is the first step. Anyone willing can become a legal minister of the ULC, one of the world's largest religious organizations. Online ordination is fast, easy, and completely free. Once you have your minister license, you'll be eligible to officiate a wedding. To become a minister, start by clicking the button below!
How to Officiate a Wedding in Oklahoma
If you've been asked to solemnize a marriage in Oklahoma, the first thing you should do is reach out to the office that will be issuing the marriage license. To do so, contact the Court Clerk's office in the county where the wedding will take place. Introduce yourself as a minister officiating a wedding, and ask them what documents they will need from you. They may ask to see a number of things, and be aware that these requirements vary from county to county. Any materials or documents you might need are available in the Church Supplies section of our website.
Select your county to view contact information for each office:
Officiant Requirements in Oklahoma
The Oklahoma state flower, the Rose
Once you've determined what you need, simply log in to your account and order the materials from our online catalog. Since the Court Clerk may want to see proof of your ordination, you'll need to be prepared. To ensure successful registration, our ministers in Oklahoma often order the Classic Wedding Kit with the Letter of Good Standing. Please try to place your order well in advance of the wedding to avoid complications.
How to Get an Oklahoma Marriage License
Licenses are issued by the Court 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 Oklahoma and its individual counties. For example, if the couple plans to get an Cherokee County marriage license, you should double-check if there are any rules specific to Cherokee County.
In the state of Oklahoma, the license is valid for 10 days. There is no mandatory waiting period between the time it is picked up, and when the ceremony can be legally performed. Finally, make sure they're aware that the signed marriage license must be returned to the issuing office within 5 days of the ceremony.
How to Perform a Wedding
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!
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!
Video: How to Perform a Wedding in Oklahoma
Now that you've finished this guide, your Oklahoma wedding ceremony awaits! More of a visual learner? Check out this in-depth video guide to performing weddings in Oklahoma! We'll walk you through each step of the process and provide clear action items to ensure you're properly prepared.
Oklahoma Marriage Laws
Marriage laws in Oklahoma are primarily directed by Chapter 7 of Title 43 of the state code. This section defines persons authorized to perform a marriage in the State of Oklahoma, which includes ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church, among other individuals. We've reproduced the relevant portion below:
§43-7. Solemnization of marriages.
A. All marriages must be contracted by a formal ceremony performed or solemnized in the presence of at least two adult, competent persons as witnesses, by a judge or retired judge of any court in this state, or an ordained or authorized preacher or minister of the Gospel, priest or other ecclesiastical dignitary of any denomination who has been duly ordained or authorized by the church to which he or she belongs to preach the Gospel, or a rabbi and who is at least eighteen (18) years of age.
B. 1. The judge shall place his or her order of appointment on file with the office of the court clerk of the county in which he or she resides.
The preacher, minister, priest, rabbi, or ecclesiastical dignitary who is a resident of this state shall have filed, in the office of the court clerk of the county in which he or she resides, a copy of the credentials or authority from his or her church or synagogue authorizing him or her to solemnize marriages.
The preacher, minister, priest, rabbi, or ecclesiastical dignitary who is not a resident of this state, but has complied with the laws of the state of which he or she is a resident, shall have filed once, in the office of the court clerk of the county in which he or she intends to perform or solemnize a marriage, a copy of the credentials or authority from his or her church or synagogue authorizing him or her to solemnize marriages.
The filing by resident or nonresident preachers, ministers, priests, rabbis, ecclesiastical dignitaries or judges shall be effective in and for all counties of this state; provided, no fee shall be charged for such recording.
C. No person herein authorized to perform or solemnize a marriage ceremony shall do so unless the license issued therefor be first delivered into his or her possession nor unless he or she has good reason to believe the persons presenting themselves before him or her for marriage are the identical persons named in the license, and for whose marriage the same was issued, and that there is no legal objection or impediment to such marriage.
D. Marriages between persons belonging to the society called Friends, or Quakers, the spiritual assembly of the Baha'is, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which have no ordained minister, may be solemnized by the persons and in the manner prescribed by and practiced in any such society, church, or assembly.
View the Oklahoma Statutes on the official government state website.
How Do you Legally Perform a Wedding in Oklahoma?
See the OK Marriage CodeAre you Interested in Being an Ordained Minister in Oklahoma?
Learn About OK OrdinationBecome an Ordained Minister Today
Be Ordained Now