# Can I really get "ordained" as a marrying minister online? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 28, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138 "2011-06-28T14:34:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/1 "2011-06-28T14:34:08Z")
With gay marriage about to become legal in NYS, a friend & I were joking about getting ordained as ministers online in order to officiate at our friends’ weddings. (I’ve been out of full-time work for a while, and it sounds like a good way to generate money.) I mentioned this to another friend, who has been in a committed relationship for almost two decades. He & his partner had decided a while back that if the law passed, they would officially tie the know. I jokingly suggested that I’d get ordained and marry them. Much to my surprise, he has told me that he liked the idea and, if I did get ordained, he’d actually like me to officiate! I’m still thinking about it, not sure if I really would want to. But…how would I go about it? Anybody know? ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Sensitive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/2 "2011-06-28T14:38:32Z")
I googled “how to become a licensed wedding officiant new york” and the first sponsored link was: Same Sex Marriage NY | [theamm.org](http://theamm.org) Become a Minister to officiate same sex weddings across NY! [www.theamm.org/free-ordination](http://www.theamm.org/free-ordination) Google is scary good. ---
**Author:** ![NOLA\_Cajun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea666f/32.png) [@NOLA\_Cajun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NOLA_Cajun)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/3 "2011-06-28T14:39:24Z")
Yes. All you’re doing is saying some magic words. So why couldn’t anyone be an “ordained minister”? Google “online ordination”. Yes, it’s legal. In Arkansas once you apply for a marriage license, if you don’t get married, you are fined. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/4 "2011-06-28T15:12:26Z")
**NOLA** , its not whether it’s generally legal, but whether it is legal in New York. New York State has fairly arcane laws about who can marry who. Essentially, to marry others in most of the state you must be a religious officiant of a “congregation” OR the Clerk or a Town Mayor OR a sitting judge who’s willing to do it for free. Domestic Relations Law Section 11 (browse NYS laws [here](http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/MENUGETF.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS+&TARGET=VIEW)) Secular officiants such as Justice of the Peace do not exist in NYS. HOWEVER, online ministries are permitted within the boundaries of Manhattan ONLY. (a court case\*, in the Second Department (which encompasses Brooklyn, Queens, and all of Long Island) found the Universal Life Church credentials were invalid to marry in their jurisdiction and the marriage thus performed was void. It is hard to sure if a marriage performed under ULC will be considered valid within New York State, outside of Manhattan where it is permitted, and Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk, where it is definitely not permitted. Offiants in New York City must be registered to officiate in New York City with the office of the City clerk. \*Ranieri v. Ranieri, 146 A.D.2d 34, for those interested ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/5 "2011-06-28T15:19:32Z")
ERROR - After the court case, the City of New York issued a new rule, valid only in New York City, accepting the credentials of ULC. ULC marriages continue to be invalid in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/6 "2011-06-28T15:22:24Z")
Legal in Pennsylvania. I’m a minister in the ULC, have been since my first days online. Don’t have a flock, but I’ve done 4 marriages. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/7 "2011-06-28T16:03:32Z")
A person I know very well started out as a DJ and decided to branch out several years ago, and became an ordained minister of the [Church of Spiritual Humanism](http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/). He has performed dozens of weddings in both NY and NJ. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/8 "2011-06-28T16:38:26Z")
you can get ordained online. in order to officiate at a marriage you need to conform to the laws of your state (in the USA). you may need to register with the state or through other levels of government. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/9 "2011-06-28T16:51:08Z")
I’m ordained through the [Universal Life Church](http://www.themonastery.org/?destination=ordination)- I figured it’d come in handy to be able to bless water, should the vampires attack. Just call me **Reverend Lightnin’**. A friend of mine used her ordainment to marry her two friends a few years ago. ---
**Author:** ![svd678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@svd678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/svd678)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/10 "2011-06-28T17:00:10Z")
Of course its only pretend: ordination is by a church, not by a seller of phony certificates. (Come to me for tax help - I have a copy of Intuit - that ought to be enough, credentials,right?) ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/11 "2011-06-28T17:03:10Z")
It’s legal in California. I have at least two friends who are ordained as ministers merely to perform wedding ceremonies for friends. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/12 "2011-06-28T17:10:42Z")
I just got ordained through the Universal Life Church. Is what kayaker said correct? This is legit in PA? What else is needed to preform marriages in PA? ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/13 "2011-06-28T17:11:03Z")
> [@svd678](#): > > Of course its only pretend: ordination is by a church, not by a seller of phony certificates. (Come to me for tax help - I have a copy of Intuit - that ought to be enough, credentials,right?) You’re begging the question. Who says the certificates are phony? While you’re at it, who are you to say what is a church and what isn’t? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/14 "2011-06-28T17:11:58Z")
> [@svd678](#): > > Of course its only pretend: ordination is by a church, not by a seller of phony certificates. (Come to me for tax help - I have a copy of Intuit - that ought to be enough, credentials,right?) So. . ._you_ do not recognize The Universal Life Church? Funny, California does. My state (Pennsylvania) does. What churches in particular do you recognize? ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/15 "2011-06-28T17:23:10Z")
I personally recommend the [Church of Dudeism](http://dudeism.com/ordination/), where I am ordained. I’m available for marriages taking place in bowling alleys. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/16 "2011-06-28T17:36:38Z")
> [@svd678](#): > > Of course its only pretend: ordination is by a church, not by a seller of phony certificates. (Come to me for tax help - I have a copy of Intuit - that ought to be enough, credentials,right?) Ministry work is a calling from God and people ordained by God (not man), as such some including ULC offer them openly as they should not stand in the way of a person’s callings, nor should place any restrictions on it. Some feel that restrictions and religious training detract from a ministry by mixing rules of men in with teachings of God. Because it is of God, the state has to walk very carefully around it (separation of church and state) ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/17 "2011-06-28T17:43:54Z")
> [@svd678](#): > > Of course its only pretend: ordination is by a church, not by a seller of phony certificates. (Come to me for tax help - I have a copy of Intuit - that ought to be enough, credentials,right?) You’d have the same credentials as most H&R Block tax preparers. ---
**Author:** ![svd678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@svd678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/svd678)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/18 "2011-06-28T18:27:46Z")
One of my professors said two things about ordination: 1. The Holy Spirit may call whoever He wishes to ministry. 2. The Church has an obligation to protect the world against fraud. The Universal Life Church exists only to purvey PHONEY ordination certificates. God has nothing to do with them. The church has an obligation to test a person’s call - what church? I can think of several hundred. Not someone who ordains himself. Paul ordained Timothy and told him to study, not just go out and do it. No US government can decide on a church’s validity except on the most elemental level, so acceptance of a “certificate” is not proof of anything except a minimum pretense. ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/19 "2011-06-28T18:29:07Z")
> [@Anamorphic](#): > > I personally recommend the [Church of Dudeism](http://dudeism.com/ordination/), where I am ordained. I’m available for marriages taking place in bowling alleys. I’m an ordained Dudeist as well - for the price of a good Oriental rug (to tie the room together, man), I’d be happy to join any two consenting adults in marital bliss. So long as the dress code for the wedding is slacker casual (bowling shirt, shorts and jellies, bathrobe optional). ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138/20 "2011-06-28T18:30:29Z")
> [@svd678](#): > > One of my professors said two things about ordination: 1. The Holy Spirit may call whoever He wishes to ministry. 2. The Church has an obligation to protect the world against fraud. The Universal Life Church exists only to purvey PHONEY ordination certificates. God has nothing to do with them. The church has an obligation to test a person’s call - what church? I can think of several hundred. Not someone who ordains himself. Paul ordained Timothy and told him to study, not just go out and do it. No US government can decide on a church’s validity except on the most elemental level, so acceptance of a “certificate” is not proof of anything except a minimum pretense. SERPENT!!! i COMMAND THEE TO HELL!:mad: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-really-get-ordained-as-a-marrying-minister-online/587138.md?page=2)