How to Become a Minister in WA

Researched and edited for accuracy by trained team members at GetOrdained™ on July 13, 2022

Becoming ordained in Washington is much simpler than you might think! The process to be a minister was once a difficult, time-intensive undertaking (not to mention the financial cost of seminary). 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 certify 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 great people of the Evergreen State are known for being bold and adventurous. We're thrilled that so many folks in Washington state have chosen to stake the next step of their adventure by seeking ordination via 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 Washington!

1. How Do You Become a Minister in Washington?

Getting your minister credentials with Get Ordained™ starts by filling out the ordination application on our website. It’s a short and simple form that will ask for just a few basic details in order to create your account. After you hit submit, your ordination will be processed by our system and you'll be able to view a digital version of your ordination credentials, supplied by the Universal Life Church Ministries. That’s it! To get started, click the link below!

Begin Your Ordination

Why make ordination free and simple to obtain? Because our view is that each individual should have the opportunity to direct their own adventure in the universe. Faith is by its very nature a personal endeavor, and everyone walks a unique 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 distant leadership group – is invaluable.

2. How Can You Use Your Ordination in Washington?

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 Olympics to Spokane Valley, you can put your ordination to use in a variety of exciting ways in Washington. As an ordained minister with Get Ordained™, you can:

• Perform legal weddings
• Lead baptisms and christenings
• Conduct funerals
• Officiate many other types of ceremonies

There are some Get Ordained™ ministers in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington, these have consistently been the most-recommended items:

No matter how you choose to use your 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 a tradition that has been carried out by many different religious bodies – each in their own ways – throughout 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. Every denomination has developed its own methods and processes for this consecration, and these can vary widely. Simply put, granting ordination distinguishes a person as having the authority to perform duties of the clergy such as officiating ceremonies.

Historically, this path to becoming 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 traditional avenues to ordination as needlessly restrictive and elitist. That’s why we’ve knocked down the barriers to ordination with our open, online model, making it available to anyone who seeks it. We provide online ordination in Washington because we recognize that Washingtonians 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 Washington

People become ministers for all sorts of reasons and, once they are ordained, are empowered to perform all sorts of different ceremonies. One thing that many new ministers especially look forward to is the opportunity to perform a wedding ceremony. In fact, Get Ordained™ ministers have successfully solemnized thousands of marriages in Washington! A traditional church ceremony in Olympia can be wonderful, but some couples want to mix it up and have a friend or family member officiate a unique wedding ceremony in Forks. Having that type of flexibility when planning a wedding is a game-changer.

If performing a wedding is on your horizon, 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 what the process looks like in your area, please check out our guide to performing a wedding in Washington.

Are ULC Ordinations Valid in Washington?

The Universal Life Church Ministries is a recognized religious organization in good standing in Washington, and ordinations supplied by the ULCM via Get Ordained™ are fully valid there. In accordance with the laws of Washington, ministers ordained online enjoy the ability to perform the same duties as any other members of the clergy, which includes presiding over official wedding ceremonies.