Become an ordained minister
Online ordination
Yes, in most states you can get ordained online to perform a wedding, and the process usually takes just a few minutes. The bigger challenge isn’t getting ordained. It’s knowing what to say, how to run the rehearsal, and how to lead a ceremony that feels personal, modern, and confident.
How to get ordained to perform weddings
To get ordained online, choose a recognized online ministry, complete their short ordination process, and then check your state or county rules to see whether any registration or credentials are needed where the ceremony will take place. For many people, ordination itself is the easy part. The legal details and the ceremony prep are where most first time officiants need help.
Around half the ceremonies in my town are officiated by people who got ordained online, and that’s not unusual anymore. A lot of couples don’t want a traditionally religious ceremony, so asking a close friend or family member to officiate has become one of the most popular options going.
I got started the same way. My best friend asked me to officiate his wedding, so I got ordained and figured it out from there. Since then, I’ve officiated over 1,000 weddings, and the pattern is always the same. People worry about the ordination step first, but what they really need is a clear process for the ceremony itself.
Where can you get ordained online?
You can get ordained online through one of the better known organizations such as Universal Life Church, American Marriage Ministries, or Get Ordained. I don’t officially endorse one over another, but these are the three names people run into most often and all generally have solid reputations.
In most cases the ordination itself is free. The organizations usually make money on credentials, printed certificates, plaques, and related extras. Some people may want those. Many won’t need them at all. That depends on where the wedding is happening and whether the local office asks for proof.
Is online ordination legal?
Online ordination is legal in most states, but the exact rules can vary by state and sometimes by county. That means you should always verify the local requirements where the marriage license will be filed, not just where you live.
If you want a deeper breakdown, read can anyone officiate a wedding? That page gives more context on who can legally perform a wedding and where people tend to get tripped up.
I live in Arizona, and my state doesn’t require proof of ordination in the typical way some people expect. But laws are old, inconsistent, and sometimes surprisingly specific, so always check before the ceremony rather than assuming everything is fine.
What should you verify before the wedding?
- Check state law first
Look up the rules for the state where the wedding will happen, not where you were ordained and not where you live.
- Check county practice second
Some counties or clerks may have practical expectations that go beyond what people assume from a quick search.
- Ask whether proof is required
You may not need credentials at all, but if you do, it’s better to know early than scramble late.
- Confirm the marriage license process
Make sure you know who signs, when it gets signed, and where it goes afterward.
Why are so many people getting ordained now?
Because it gives couples more freedom. Not every couple is religious, affiliated with a church, or interested in a traditional ceremony voice. A close friend or family member can often create something warmer, more personal, and more relaxed than a stranger reading canned lines.
That’s one of the biggest reasons this question gets searched so much. People aren’t only asking, “How do I get ordained?” They’re really asking, “How do I help my couple have a meaningful ceremony without sounding stiff, overly formal, or out of place?”
What should you do after you get ordained?
After you get ordained, the next steps are to build the ceremony, learn the ceremony flow, and prepare for the rehearsal and wedding day. That’s the part most first time officiants underestimate.
Getting ordained takes minutes. Officiating well takes preparation.
Get the rehearsal guide
Enter your email to receive Matt’s rehearsal guide plus additional wedding readings, tips, and tricks learned over years of officiating.
Download rehearsal guide
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
1. Get solid ceremony material
Most free scripts online sound dated, overly traditional, or too religious for couples today. If you want modern, nonreligious wording that sounds like real people, start with the ceremony material. It gives you over 70 selections for welcomes, readings, vows, unity ceremonies, ring exchanges, and pronouncements that you can mix and match.
2. Learn the common newbie mistakes
New officiants forget simple but important things all the time. One of the most common is forgetting to ask the guests to rise when the bride walks in, then forgetting to invite them to sit back down once everyone is in place. Go through the list of newbie ordained minister mistakes before the wedding so you don’t learn those lessons in front of a crowd.
3. Know how to run the rehearsal
The rehearsal is where a lot of new officiants feel exposed. If you don’t know where people should stand, how to line everyone up, or how to guide the flow, the whole room can feel uncertain. Read how to run a wedding rehearsal so you walk in with a process instead of winging it.
4. Practice your delivery
Confidence isn’t only about the words. It’s about pace, pauses, eye contact, tone, and knowing what comes next without looking rattled. If you want help with that side of officiating too, the bundle includes the scripts plus officiant training so you can hear how the ceremony should actually sound.
Four rehearsal tips new officiants should know
Nonreligious wedding ceremonies don’t have many hard rules, but the rehearsal still matters a lot. Here are four things to do before everyone starts walking around and asking questions.
- Review the couple’s notes before you arrive
Be aware of divorced parents, deceased parents, children, and any strained relationships that may affect the mood or logistics.
- Bring a printed copy of the ceremony
Use the open space on the last page to write down parent names, vendor names, the coordinator’s name, and who has the rings.
- Introduce yourself to everyone
wedding party members are future referrals, parents sometimes tip, and vendors often send business later. It also helps to know everyone’s name when you need them.
- Ask the coordinator how they prefer to run it
Most have a flow they like, and it’s better to work with it than compete with it.
If you want the full breakdown, download the complete rehearsal guide here.
Wedding officiant tips that make you look more prepared
A few little details can make you look far more experienced than you feel. These aren’t glamorous, but they work.
- Coordinate your tie or outfit details with the couple’s colors
People notice, and it makes you look like you belong there.
- Bring mints
Handing them out while everyone is lined up is a small move that feels unexpectedly professional.
- Do a sound check with the DJ
Mic volume that is too loud can be distracting. Find a level that lets you hear yourself without feeling thrown off.
There are more details like that in these extra officiant tips.
A few common questions
Can anyone get ordained online to perform a wedding?
Usually, yes. In most cases, a friend or family member can get ordained online in just a few minutes. The bigger issue isn’t whether you can get ordained, but whether the state or county where the wedding happens requires anything else before you sign the marriage license.
How long does it take to get ordained to officiate a wedding?
The ordination itself usually only takes a few minutes. What takes longer is checking the local rules, getting any documents you might need, and preparing the ceremony so you don’t feel lost on the wedding day.
Is getting ordained online actually legal?
Often yes, but you still need to verify the rules where the wedding will take place. Some states are straightforward, while others may require registration, extra paperwork, or specific proof of ordination before you officiate.
Do you need proof of ordination to officiate a wedding?
Sometimes, but not always. Some places don’t require proof in the way people expect, while others may want documentation or have local procedures. Always check the rules where the wedding will happen.
Can a friend or family member legally officiate a wedding?
Often yes, which is exactly why so many people get ordained online. But legality depends on the state and sometimes the county, so verify the local rules before the ceremony.
What do you do after you get ordained?
Next you need ceremony material, rehearsal guidance, and delivery practice. Getting ordained is step one. Knowing what to say and how to say it is what makes the ceremony go well.
Do I need ceremony scripts after getting ordained?
Yes, unless you already know how to build a complete ceremony from scratch. Most first time officiants need a proven structure, modern wording, and a simple process for customizing the ceremony to the couple.
Getting ordained online is the easy part. The bigger job is leading a ceremony that feels personal, organized, and calm from the first word to the final pronouncement. If this post helped, the best next reads are can anyone officiate a wedding?, how to run a wedding rehearsal, and how to officiate a wedding.
Getting ordained takes five minutes. The hard part is knowing what to say next.
Start with proven, modern ceremony scripts refined over 1,000 weddings. Copy, paste, customize, and lead a ceremony that feels personal instead of generic.
