How to Become a Minister in FL
Researched and edited for accuracy by trained team members at GetOrdained™ on
Becoming ordained in Florida is far simpler than you might believe! The process to be a minister was once a hard, time-intensive undertaking (not to mention the cost of something like seminary school). The clear problem: only a select few could achieve the title of “minister.”
Get Ordained™ is dedicated to removing these systemic barriers to participation, allowing anyone who feels so-called to become certified as a minister. As part of this commitment, we’ve pioneered a free online ordination model that takes just a few minutes to complete.
The Sunshine State is one of the most special places on earth, not least because of all the wonderful Floridians who call it home. We're beaming with pride that so many of the great folks who call Florida home have chosen to become ministers of our organization.
In this guide, we'll walk through how the online ordination process works, explain the legal considerations you should know about, and, of course, show you how to get ordained in Florida!
1. How Do You Become a Minister in Florida?
"Getting your minister credentials with Get Ordained™ starts by filling out the ordination application found on our website. It’s a quick and easy form that will ask for just a few basic details in order to create your account. After you tap the submit button, your ordination will be processed and you will be able to view a digital version of your ordination certificate, supplied by the Universal Life Church Ministries. That’s it! To begin, click the link below!
Why do we provide ordination for free? Because our view is that each individual should have the opportunity to chart their own journey in the universe. Faith is by its very nature a personal endeavor, and everyone walks their own path depending on what they believe and how they choose to exercise those beliefs. The ability to make those choices for oneself – not according to arbitrary rules set by a faraway leadership group – is precious.
2. How Can You Use Your Ordination in Florida?
After becoming ordained, you’ll be granted complete freedom to decide how to take advantage of your status as a minister. All across the state, from the Keys to the panhandle, you can put your ordination to use in a variety of exciting ways in Florida. As an ordained minister with Get Ordained™, you can:
- Perform legal weddings
- Lead baptisms and christenings
- Solemnize funerals
- Officiate over many other types of ceremonies
There are some Get Ordained™ ministers in Florida that have even proceeded to start their own churches and ministries! You can read more about the various options available by visiting our Minister Training Center.
3. What Does Ordination in Florida Require?
"After thinking about what activities you plan to pursue, you'll want to make sure you have all the documents and supplies necessary to perform your duties! For our ministers in Florida, these have consistently been the most-recommended items:
No matter how you choose to utilize your new ordination, we’re ready to support you with all the tools and knowledge you need to pursue your goals!
4. What Does Being Ordained Mean?
Ordination is an old religious rite that has been carried out by many different churches – each in their own ways – throughout human history. In a general sense, ordination is the consecration of an individual as a member of the clergy, an honor typically bestowed by church leadership. Each denomination has developed its own methods and processes for this tradition, and these vary widely. Simply put, granting ordination distinguishes a person as having the authority to perform duties of the clergy, like officiating over religious ceremonies.
Traditionally, this path to getting ordained wasn't an easy one. It typically demanded years of dedication and study, and even then, candidates for ordination had to win the approval of their respective faith leaders.
We view these historic paths to ordination as too restrictive and too elitist. That’s why we’ve knocked down the blockades to ordination with our open, online model, making it available to anyone who seeks it. We provide online ordination in Florida because we recognize that Floridians want the freedom to follow their faith how they wish – which might mean becoming ordained!
Ordination through Get Ordained™ includes the same powers and rights that other types of clergy members benefit from. Members are therefore permitted to perform the same activities and duties carried out by ministers of other denominations and faith communities.
5. How to Become Ordained to Officiate a Wedding in Florida
Folks become ordained as ministers for all sorts of reasons and, once they are ordained, become empowered to perform all kinds of ceremonies. One thing that many new ministers particularly look forward to is the opportunity to perform a wedding ceremony. As a matter of fact, Get Ordained™ ministers have successfully officiated thousands of weddings in Florida! A traditional church ceremony in Orlando can be wonderful, but some couples want to mix it up and have a friend or family member officiate a nondenominational Spanish wedding ceremony in Miami. Having that type of flexibility when performing a wedding is a game-changer.
If officiating a wedding is in your future, it’s vital to know the ins and outs of wedding laws in the area where you plan to officiate. The rules can vary from place to place, so you'll want to read up on the specific requirements for your state and county. To learn more about the process looks like in your area, please check out our guide to performing a wedding in Florida.
Are ULC Ordinations Valid in Florida?
The Universal Life Church Ministries is a recognized religious organization in good standing in Florida, and ordinations supplied by the ULCM via Get Ordained™ are fully valid there. In accordance with the laws of Florida, ministers ordained online enjoy the ability to perform the same duties as any other members of the clergy, which includes officiating over official wedding ceremonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our innovative use of the internet may make us look different from other organizations, but the ordinations provided by GetOrdained are as legally valid as those from any other church. We believe, and the law says, that you have the right to practice your faith in Florida how you want, including as a minister of the ULC!
Time requirements associated with becoming an ordained minister are determined by the religious organization performing the ordination. At GetOrdained we choose to provide instant online ordination per our belief that all people in Florida who feel called toward ordination should have easy access to that special role.
We believe that anyone in Florida who feels called to ordination should have access to it, so we make it free! There is no cost associated with online ordination with GetOrdained. Depending on your plans, you may be required by the government in your area to provide proof of ordination, which we offer for a small fee.
At GetOrdained we require that a person be at least 18 years of age in order to apply for online ordination. It’s also important to keep in mind that if you are planning on performing a legal ceremony like a wedding, your town or county in Florida may have a separate age requirement for officiants - be sure to check!
Learn How to Perform a Wedding in Florida
Perform a FL WeddingHow Do you Legally Perform a Wedding in Florida?
See the FL Marriage CodeBecome an Ordained Minister Today
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