The COVID-19 pandemic has left serious impacts on the world, but it's also allowed human beings to demonstrate how resourceful, inventive, and resilient they are. Couples are still getting married, and they need officiants. Maybe you're stepping up to the plate to help so you're thinking about getting ordained online to perform a wedding. But is there really such as thing as no-cost ordination? Absolutely! Keep reading to find out how you can get ordained for free, plus other useful things to know about ULC ordination. 

Why the ULC Offers Free Ordination

Freedom of religion is a right guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. It's one reason our country can welcome people from many faiths all over the world. But it also happens to be part of the Universal Life Church's core tenets: to practice religion as one chooses without violating the rights of others.

The ULC allows people to get ordained online for free as part of its mission. Its online ordination supports the goal of helping people find freedom and autonomy in their spiritual lives. It also aids in larger efforts toward equality and justice. For instance, same-sex couples who can't find a traditional officiant in their area can get married by a ULC minister. Knowing how to get ordained online can make a huge difference in helping others. 

A Fast and Simple Process

Getting ordained for free through the ULC is incredibly easy. There's a short form on Get Ordained's online ordination page — just fill in your full legal name, email address, city, state, and a password of your choice. This submits your ordination request and registers you for a Get Ordained online account. When filling out the form, keep a few things in mind:

• When entering your name, do not include titles.
• Do not include suffixes unless they appear on your birth certificate.
• Make sure you spell everything correctly. 

Watch your email after you've submitted your form. Within a few minutes, you should receive a confirmation message. Once you have this email, your ordination is complete. Be sure to check your spam folder if you don't see the message within a few minutes. If you legally change your name after ordination, contact the ULC to update your records. 

After Your Ordination

Once you're done getting ordained online free, you have access to ULC resources and support. Get Ordained's Minister Training Center offers complete guides on performing weddings. There, you can learn how to officiate a ceremony, write a wedding script, complete a marriage license, and more.

You can also review state marriage laws to ensure you and the couple meet your jurisdiction's requirements. Some states, like Ohio, require officiants to register and get a minister's license. Others, such as California, do not. Either way, it's a good idea to get official proof of your credentials. The ULC offers wedding kits with your ordination certificate plus a ULC wallet card, a helpful weddings guidebook, and more. 

More Useful Resources

Through the Universal Life Church, you can get ordained online to perform weddings free. But maybe your areas of interest aren't limited to weddings. Perhaps you want to perform baptisms and funerals. Or you'd like to start a church or ministry. Whatever your goals, the ULC offers resources and materials that can help. You can explore the Minister Training Center plus the Get Ordained Blog. The Ministry Supply Store also has guidebooks and religious texts you can add to your library. 

Ordination through the ULC also means that you're joining a global community — another reason it's the best place to get ordained online free. Over 20 million people worldwide have joined, as the organization continues to open its door to everyone. After all, we are all children of the same universe.