Wondering how to get a license to marry people? Maybe you’ve been asked to perform a wedding by friends or loved ones. Or you want to help couples who have trouble finding an officiant. Perhaps you have a larger vision or spiritual calling. Whatever your reasons, getting qualified to officiate weddings is a laudable goal. But how do you go about doing so? This short guide provides the details you need to know.

Become Ordained

If you’ve searched “how to get a license to marry couples,” you should know one thing first: You need to be ordained. Most jurisdictions allow judges and magistrates to perform weddings. But the rest of us must become some form of ordained clergy to solemnize marriages. Fortunately, religious organizations like the Universal Life Church offer online ordination for free.

Online ordination with the ULC is a simple process. First, you’ll complete a form on the website. You should enter your personal details—including your valid legal name—and double-check that your info is correct before submitting. During the process, you’ll also create a user ID and password. Your login information gives you access to your ordination record. You can also access minister training resources on relevant topics, including how to officiate a wedding.

Learn Your State’s Minister License Requirements

Ordination is the first step, but you’re not done quite yet. When learning how to get certified to marry someone, you should know that every state has different requirements for licensing ministers. Such licensing grants clergy the authority to solemnize marriages. Licensing is either handled at the state level, by individual counties, or not at all, depending on where you live.

In Ohio, its Secretary of State issues those licenses. If you’re performing a wedding in Minnesota, you must register your credentials with the clerk of courts for the county where the ceremony takes place. But many states such as Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky do not require officiants to register at all.

Most locales in the United States permit online-ordained ministers to solemnize weddings. However, you may run into a few snags in some states or counties. Tennessee attempted to ban ULC and other online-ordained ministers from officiating, but the ULC won an injunction in 2020 preventing the law from taking effect. With all these unique requirements, you need to do your homework.

Get Copies of Your Credentials

The next part of how to get a license to marry someone involves getting your minister’s credentials. Even if you’re in a state that doesn’t mandate minister licensing or registration, the county clerk may still ask to see proof of ordination. Regardless of the laws in your jurisdiction, you should have these documents available. You’ll likely need your ordination certificate and a letter of good standing, but double-check with your jurisdiction to be certain.

Follow Officiant Registration Rules

Once you have your minister’s credentials in your hot little hands, you have what you need to prove that you can solemnize weddings. If you are required to register, make sure you understand the process and follow it faithfully. You also should allow plenty of time for the government agency to complete your registration. This normally takes a few days, depending on your locale, but don’t wait until the last minute. Keep in mind that some governments charge a fee for minister licenses.

By the Power Vested in You

After you’ve followed the proper steps, you’ll have the legal authority to solemnize marriages. And as you’ve now seen, it’s not hard to get registered to marry couples. But it does require timely action and attention to detail on your part—the same skills you’ll need to work with couples and help them create meaningful weddings.