How to Become a Wedding Officiant
Have you thought about officiating at a marriage? Have close friends or family ever asked you to perform their wedding ceremony? You’ve come to the right place! Below we’ll explain how to become a wedding officiant.
First – Get Ordained
Although there are several avenues for attaining the legal authority to solemnize weddings, one of the most common (and fastest) ways is to become an ordained minister of a recognized church. Although following this path at traditional churches might require years of study, at the ULC getting ordained is as simple as filling out a brief online form. We believe that everyone, regardless of denomination, religious beliefs, or lack thereof, has the right to serve as a minister. To learn more about becoming ordained in your area, and what we believe ordination means, you can view our detailed guide.
Second – Research the Requirements
Every state has its own marriage laws, including what documents are required to legally officiate a wedding. Some states are strict about requiring ministerial registration prior to solemnizing ceremonies, while in other states, officiants are just advised to have ordination paperwork on file at home in case it’s ever needed. The ULC offers concise explanations of differing state laws that you can review for your convenience.
To avoid any confusion, check with local marriage officials where the wedding will take place, and make sure to jump through any administrative hoops long before the big day. The last thing you want is to deal with an unexpected hiccup as the ceremony draws near.
Third – Understand the Ceremony
If you're going to perform a wedding, you'd better know exactly what that entails. Get a copy of the marriage license from the state where the wedding will take place and make sure you understand the language and legality of the document. Be able to explain to the couple the significance of what they are undertaking.
If you need any direction in this effort, look no further. All of this information – and more – is available in the Wedding Training section of our website.
