How Long Does It Take To Get Ordained Online?
One of the most common questions we hear is, "How long does it take to get ordained?"" Here’s the good news: unlike many traditional religious institutions that require years of formal training and thousands of dollars in tuition, getting ordained online through the Universal Life Church is completely free and takes just a few minutes.
Our ordination process is designed to be fast, simple, and accessible. Why? Because we believe everyone who feels so-called should have the ability to get ordained without barriers or red tape – whether they seek to perform marriage ceremonies, preside over baptisms, conduct funerals, or perform any other type of clergy duty.
If you’re curious about our mission, we encourage you to read more about the Universal Life Church and the ULC’s nondenominational religious philosophy.
But in short: we offer fast and free ordination to help anyone become an ordained minister – regardless of their station in life, immutable characteristics, or individual belief system.
What Happens After You Apply to Get Ordained?
Once your application is submitted and approved, you will officially be an ordained minister of the ULC. Your ordination will be recorded in the Church’s record system, and a digital preview of your ordination certificate will be available to view in your online account.
If you intend to use your ordination to officiate a legal ceremony, such as a wedding, your next step will be to understand the rules for performing weddings in your area.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Wedding Officiant?
This brings us to a related question: "How long does it take to become a legal wedding officiant?" The answer depends on where you live – or more accurately, where you’ll be performing the ceremony.
While simply following the Universal Life Church online ordination process is sufficient in many states to solemnize weddings, each state and county has its own rules governing wedding officiants. Some may ask for additional documentation or require minister registration with a local clerk’s office.
For example, in California, ULC ministers can typically be ready to officiate weddings in less than a day. But in Ohio it may take longer, and ministers there must first register with the Secretary of State’s office before performing a wedding.
That’s why it’s so important to check the rules ahead of time.
We recommend visiting our State Wedding Guide to learn about any local requirements before you step up to the altar for a wedding ceremony. This will ensure everything is legally valid – and stress-free – for both you and the couple.