It is an important step for Universal Life Church ministers to know the basis and legalities of being an ordained minister. We mention the legal status of ordination because it is universal for everyone including Christians and Buddhists, to Wiccans and other Pagans. Some denominations and independent universal churches encourage the view that getting ordained is some special status, anointed or selected by God, set apart, holy or sacred, or anything else they may use to make ordination different from the common man. Being ordained is not even required in some denominations and such status as a rabbi is entitles one to officiate marriages.
All states have laws, which outline who may officiate or perform weddings.
Most states require absolutely nothing other than being ordained or by having special designation from a church or other denomination.
Some states do require that ministers who wish to become wedding officiants register with the state prior to performing the marriage. It is always the minister responsibility for knowing the state law.
Only ministers who wish to officiate weddings need to register in those states which require it. No state requires any minister to register just to be a minister. Such actions would violate state Constitutional law. Read More
