How to Become a Minister in DC

Researched and edited for accuracy by trained team members at GetOrdained™ on January 16, 2023

Here's something not many people realize: becoming ordained in the District of Columbia is quite easy! Sure, there was a time when becoming a minister was both time-intensive and expensive (seminary school isn't cheap). This selective process meant that the title of "minister" was reserved only for those fortunate enough to have the time and money to pursue ministerial work as a career.

Get Ordained™ is focused on breaking down such systemic barriers and granting the opportunity to anyone who feels so-called to become an ordained minister. To help pave this path, we have developed an online ordination model that is easy to navigate, takes only minutes to complete, and – best of all – is free to use!

Washington D.C. is a home for leaders striving to make the best decisions for their nation, ideally aiming to make life better for all of humankind. That kindred commitment to universal wellbeing is perhaps why it's no surprise that the ULC counts so many D.C. residents as ordained ministers on its rolls.

In the guide below, we'll explain how the process of online ordination works, talk through the legal aspects that are important to understand, and give you specific steps for how to be ordained in the District of Columbia.

1. Become a Minister in the District of Columbia

Receiving ordination credentials via Get Ordained™ first requires completing the ordination application here on our website. This no-frills form asks you to input some basic information in order to create an account and register your ordination.

After pressing submit, your application will be processed by our system. In just moments, you'll receive confirmation of your ordination and see a digital version of your ordination credential certified by the Universal Life Church Ministries. That's all – you're now an ordained minister! Click the button below to get started!

Begin Your Ordination

You might be thinking: why do we make ordination so simple? Well, the Universal Life Church Ministries was founded on the notion that each individual's faith journey is unique and that fulfilling one's spiritual destiny requires the opportunity to chart one's own path through the universe. In our view, creating barriers and restrictive rules for who can – and cannot – participate in the benefits of clergyhood is antithetical to progress.

We believe that everyone has a right to pursue this path, regardless of what they believe or how they identify. Creating an easy, open process means that anyone can participate in ministry, and they can do so in the way that makes the most sense to them.

2. Using Your Ordination in the District of Columbia

The great part about becoming a minister with Get Ordained™ is that after signing up, you'll have total freedom to choose how to leverage your new status as a member of the clergy. As an ordained minister with the ULC in D.C. you are covered all over the district. Take a trip from Capitol Hill to Petworth, there should be nothing stopping you from fulfilling your ministerial duties.

As an ordained minister, you can:

• Officiate legal weddings
• Carry out vow renewals
• Preside over funerals & baptisms
• Perform many other types of ceremonies

In fact, some inspired Get Ordained™ ministers in the District of Columbia have even taken it upon themselves to form their own ministries and churches! To read more about the wide range of options available to you, visit our Minister Training Center.

3. Ordination in the District of Columbia

Ordination is far more than a piece of paper, it's a tradition that spans across both faiths and centuries. Every religious body has its own process, rules (and even names) for ordination, but the concept remains consistent. In the most basic sense, ordination is the method for consecrating an individual as a member of the clergy in a particular faith system, an honor typically conferred by members of church leadership. Put in simple terms, becoming ordained distinguishes a member of the faith and grants them the authority to perform official clergy duties, such as presiding over weddings and other ceremonies.

Historically, this path was a challenging one to walk. For one, depending on the faith system, becoming ordained also might require years of dedication and study to even qualify. Not to mention that half the population was generally disqualified from the start; in most religious bodies, this opportunity was offered only to men.

As pioneers of an open, online ordination model, Get Ordained™ views such restrictions as unnecessary and elitist. For that reason, we're proud to offer ordination to anyone who feels so-called, free of any barriers or difficult rules. We firmly believe that the people of the District of Columbia deserve the chance to pursue their faith convictions in whatever way they best see fit, including becoming ordained!

The best part? Ordination provided through Get Ordained™ offers all the same powers and rights enjoyed by clergy members of other religious groups. Members of the ULC are therefore granted the ability to perform any duty typically carried out by a minister of a more traditional religious denomination.

4. Ordination Supplies You'll Need in the District of Columbia

Regardless of what ministerial duties you plan to get involved in, it's important to make sure you have all the documents and supplies necessary to pursue your goals! Among our ministers in the District of Columbia, the items below have consistently proven the most popular:

If those items don't seem relevant to your goals, not to worry! Feel free to explore our full catalog of ministry supplies.

5. Become Ordained to Officiate a Wedding in the District of Columbia

People choose to become ministers for all manner of reasons, and once ordained, they have the freedom to choose what directions to move in. One of the most common ways that new ministers look to get involved is by performing ceremonies like weddings.

Why not head to Capitol Hill and officiate a wedding in front of The White House? The Federal triangle is quite popular and would be great for performing a wedding (if you can get the right permits!) Perhaps your services will be required of a couple who wants to do something a little bit different... like having a short wedding ceremony at the National Mall?

If you expect that performing a wedding is in your future, it’s crucial to do your homework to understand the wedding laws in the area where you plan to officiate. Because the rules for officiating a wedding often vary from state to state (and even county to county) learning the process is important to ensure the wedding you perform is legally recognized. Please visit our guide to performing a wedding in the District of Columbia to get started.

Online Ordination in the District of Columbia

The Universal Life Church Ministries is an official religious organization in good standing in the District of Columbia. Therefore, ordinations provided by the ULCM via Get Ordained™ are fully recognized and valid. Ministers ordained online are treated the same as any other clergy member, and as the laws of the District of Columbia explain, certified ministers are granted the ability to perform duties such as officiating legal wedding ceremonies.