Become a Minister & Officiant in New York

Can you become ordained online and perform weddings in New York? Yes.

New York recognizes ministers ordained online through the Universal Life Church, giving ULC ministers full legal authority to officiate weddings and other ceremonies across the state. New York does require ministers to register with a government office in some areas, so after becoming ordained it's important to review the guidance below before serving as a minister or wedding officiant.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your ministry, the Universal Life Church is your partner every step of the way in New York. Explore the resources below for New York ministers - covering ordination, wedding officiating, state law, and much more.

Officiate Wedding Ceremonies in New York

Your ULC ordination gives you the legal authority to perform wedding ceremonies. In fact, thousands of ULC ministers officiate weddings in New York each year. Here's a straightforward breakdown of how to do it yourself.

How to Officiate a Wedding in New York

Visit Wedding Guide

1. Become a Minister

   The first step is getting ordained through the Universal Life Church. Ordination is what grants you the legal standing to solemnize marriages anywhere in New York.

   Get Ordained

2. Understand New York Officiant Requirements

   ULC ordinations are valid throughout New York, but the specific steps a minister must take to officiate a wedding can differ by county. Be sure to contact the office issuing the marriage license ahead of time to confirm what documentation they require.

3. Order Wedding Supplies

   All the documents and wedding supplies you may need are available through our Minister Store. Plan ahead and order early to make sure everything arrives well before the ceremony date.

4. Perform the Ceremony

   With your paperwork taken care of, it's time to perform the ceremony! Visit our Wedding Training Center for tips and guidance on every part of officiating a marriage.

5. Sign and Review the Marriage License

   Once the wedding is complete, the marriage license must be signed by you, the couple, and their witnesses (if applicable). Look over the document carefully to confirm all details are correct before submitting it to the issuing office.

Review New York Wedding Laws

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Navigating New York Wedding Laws

We've established that ULC ministers have the legal right to perform weddings in New York. But if you're curious about the specific laws that grant online-ordained ministers that authority, here's what the statutes say.

1. Any two consenting adults who are not currently married to someone else are eligible to participate in a legal wedding ceremony.

2. Under New York law, any minister, priest, or religious officiant who is 18 years of age or older may perform a legally binding wedding ceremony. This means ULC-ordained ministers carry the same legal authority to officiate weddings in New York as clergy from any traditional religious institution.

3. New York marriage licenses are valid for 60 days and must be filed with the issuing office before they expire. Note that there is a 1-day waiting period following license issuance before the ceremony may legally occur.

Explore the full New York statutes that dictate who may perform marriages and how the process works below.

New York law expressly authorizes ordained ministers to solemnize marriages. The relevant statute is included here:

N.Y. Dom. Law § 11

No marriage shall be valid unless solemnized by either:

A clergyman or minister of any religion, or by the senior leader, or any of the other leaders, of The Society for Ethical Culture in the city of New York, having its principal office in the borough of Manhattan, or by the leader of The Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, having its principal office in the borough of Brooklyn of the city of New York, or of the Westchester Ethical Society, having its principal office in Westchester county, or of the Ethical Culture Society of Long Island, having its principal office in Nassau county, or of the Riverdale-Yonkers Ethical Society having its principal office in Bronx county, or by the leader of any other Ethical Culture Society affiliated with the American Ethical Union; provided that no clergyman or minister as defined in section two of the religious corporations law, or Society for Ethical Culture leader shall be required to solemnize any marriage when acting in his or her capacity under this subdivision.

1-a. A refusal by a clergyman or minister as defined in section two of the religious corporations law, or Society for Ethical Culture leader to solemnize any marriage under this subdivision shall not create a civil claim or cause of action or result in any state or local government action to penalize, withhold benefits or discriminate against such clergyman or minister.

...

The term "clergyman" or "minister" when used in this article, shall include those defined in section two of the religious corporations law. The word "magistrate," when so used, includes any person referred to in the second or third subdivision.

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