| In today's world, couples are taking charge of | | | | say they are legal in all states (regarding |
| their wedding ceremony. Religiosity is shrinking and | | | | solemnizing weddings) or that they can customize |
| many couples are looking outside of the church or | | | | a package for each state, beware. For example: |
| synagogue to find a wedding officiant. Couples are | | | | Virginia will not authorize clergy to perform |
| saving money while making their ceremony more | | | | weddings unless the clergy member has an active |
| meaningful by asking a family member or good | | | | ministry and a congregation. Simply obtaining an |
| friend to officiate their wedding ceremony. I'm not | | | | online ordination certificate will not fly in Virginia. |
| here to decide if that is right or wrong. However, | | | | Other states that have similar requirements |
| when it comes to who can solemnize a marriage, | | | | include New York City, Connecticut, and Alabama. |
| it is important to know the facts. | | | | Las Vegas requires ministers to have an active |
| If you are thinking about performing a wedding, | | | | congregation while some states will accept online |
| remember that you are facilitating a legal contract | | | | certificates as long as they are accompanied by |
| between the couple. It is your responsibility to | | | | an authorization letter from the organization |
| make sure that you adhere to the requirements | | | | where you obtain your certificate. Do your |
| and laws of the state in which you are going to | | | | homework and call the county clerk. |
| perform the ceremony. In many states, any | | | | 5 - Make sure your beliefs are in alignment with |
| ordained clergy can solemnize a wedding. As such, | | | | the organization through which you obtain your |
| it is easy to go through any of the many online | | | | certificate. Are they interfaith in nature, Christian, |
| churches and seminaries to obtain an ordination | | | | dogmatic or secular? Which organization feels right |
| certificate. But, is it legal? | | | | to you? Remember, you will be in their data base, |
| How do you find out if it is legal? Don't rely on | | | | so be careful who you choose. |
| information that you obtain online as offered by | | | | 6 - Are there hidden costs - such as, they will |
| online ordination services. They may or may not | | | | send you a letter of authenticity, but for an extra |
| be accurate. Go to the source and call the clerk in | | | | charge? |
| the county in which you wish to perform the | | | | 7. No church can give you authority "from the |
| service. Ask them what the requirements are for | | | | state" to perform a ceremony. If they say that |
| an ordained clergy to solemnize marriages within | | | | they can grant state authority, beware. They can |
| their county. Done. | | | | authorize you through their organization, but the |
| If you find out that it is legal to perform a service | | | | state is a separate issue. |
| if you are an ordained minister, then pick an online | | | | 8. Look for a simple site that is not cluttered with |
| organization that you feel is valid. The following | | | | so much information that you get sidetracked into |
| are pointers to help you determine the validity of | | | | ordering something that you cannot use due to |
| any specific organization. | | | | misinterpretation. |
| 1 - Exclude organizations that advise you to get | | | | Once you have made it through the hoops -- (1) |
| ordained first and find out the laws later. Why | | | | reviewed the laws (2) ordered and received your |
| would you purchase something before you knew | | | | certificate (3) registered with the county (if |
| if you could use it? | | | | required), you can perform the ceremony. Most |
| 2 - See if the organization has a contact number | | | | counties issue three copies of the marriage |
| and call it. If someone picks up the phone and is | | | | license--one for your records, one for the couples |
| willing to talk to you, then you can feel good | | | | records and one to send back to the county. If |
| about the organization. | | | | the county does not issue three copies, make |
| 3 - Ask if the organization has a physical address. | | | | two xerox copies--one for your records and one |
| While it is not necessary to have one to be a | | | | for the couple to keep. |
| legal entity, it indicates further authenticity of the | | | | If you do perform a wedding ceremony for a |
| organization. | | | | friend or family member, know that you have |
| 4 - Make sure they are upfront about the laws | | | | been honored to minister in this way. You will be |
| regarding solemnizing marriages by state. If they | | | | remembered in this way for a long, long time. |