When a couple you care about comes to you to request you officiate their wedding, it is a big honor. Before you can take on this task, however, you need to be sure that you’ve gone through all of the required steps. One of the most important components of the process is obtaining a certificate to marry. If you want to be sure to hit the right marks before the big day arrives, take a look at these tips and learn exactly what you need to do. 

Understand the Laws

Before you can take action, you need to conduct a bit of research. Laws surrounding marriage vary from one state to the next. To be sure you’re following the correct guidelines set forth for officiants, check with the local county clerk and learn more about the law. Note that you need to follow the regulations of the state where the wedding will be conducted. Consult with the couple to learn where they are applying for their marriage license and follow the rules of the same clerk’s office to make the process straightforward. 

One point worth noting is that certain states require an officiant to both obtain a certificate to marry people and register officially with a larger organization. States where this is mandatory include New York, Vermont, Hawaii, and Ohio, among several others. By figuring all of this out in advance, you can start the process of getting your certificate in an informed way. 

Get Ordained

After you understand the state-specific regulations, you’re ready to become ordained and receive certification. Organizations like the Universal Life Church provide online ordination options that can be completed quickly and easily. If you have any questions or concerns, ULC provides comprehensive resources that can offer insight into the intricacies of the ordination process. Once you feel confident, you can take on the fast application process and become an official ordained minister under the Universal Life Church.

All states allow marriages to be officiated by individuals who fall under the category of “religious performers.” This means that you don’t need to study to become a priest to marry your friends. All you need to do is get an official certificate to marry someone from a trusted organization like the ULC, and you’re on your way.  

Understand the Couple’s Wishes

Successfully officiating a marriage is about a lot more than receiving a certificate. You also need to work closely with the couple to make sure you’re on the same page. Typically, it will fall on the officiant to determine the overall flow of the ceremony. If the couple hasn’t informed you how long your introductory speech should be, you could end up putting together a long speech that needs to be heavily edited before the event. A preliminary discussion or phone call is usually enough to get everyone on the same page.

Review Examples

If you have never conducted a wedding before, you might feel a bit nervous. One of the best ways to calm your fears is by looking at a variety of examples of officiant speeches. Reviewing a handful of templates can offer the perfect blueprint to work from when it comes to creating your own text. As you develop your speech, be sure to read it out loud. Hearing the words can help you catch awkward phrasing or glaring errors. Having a friend or family member provide feedback can also be useful to make edits and finalize the copy.

Being asked to officiate a wedding is an honor and a big responsibility. As long as you put in the required amount of preliminary work to obtain a certificate to marry, the rest will be smooth sailing.