How to Become an Ordained Minister in Wyoming
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!
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: How to Perform a Wedding in Wyoming
Congrats! You made it through the full guide. You're now fully prepared to officiate a wedding in Wyoming! More of a visual learner? Check out this in-depth video guide to performing weddings in Wyoming! We'll walk you through each step of the process and provide clear action items to ensure you're properly prepared.
Officiant Requirements in Wyoming
The Wyoming state flower, the Indian Paintbrush
Contact the County Clerk's office in the county where the ceremony 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. Rest assured that 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:
How to Get a Wyoming Marriage License
Once you've determined what you need, simply log in to your account and order the materials from our online catalog. We usually advise our ministers in Wyoming to get a Classic Wedding Kit. Although ministers are generally not required to register in the state of Wyoming, 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 Wyoming and its individual counties. For example, if the couple plans to get a Campell County marriage license, you should double-check if there are any rules specific to Campell County.
In the state of Wyoming, the license is valid for 1 year. 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 by the expiration date.
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!
Wyoming Marriage Laws
Marriage laws in Wyoming are primarily directed by Chapter 1 of Title 20 of the state code. This section defines persons authorized to perform a marriage in the State of Wyoming, which includes ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church, among other individuals. We've reproduced the relevant portion below:
20-1-106. Who may solemnize marriage; form of ceremony.
(a) Every district or circuit court judge, district court commissioner, supreme court justice, magistrate and every licensed or ordained minister of the gospel, bishop, priest or rabbi, or other qualified person acting in accordance with the traditions or rites for the solemnization of marriage of any religion, denomination or religious society, may perform the ceremony of marriage in this state.
(b) In the solemnization of marriage no particular form is required, except that the parties shall solemnly declare in the presence of the person performing the ceremony and at least two (2) attending witnesses that they take each other as husband and wife.
View the Wyoming Statutes on the official government state website.
How Do you Legally Perform a Wedding in Wyoming?
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