How Much Does it Cost to Get Ordained

If you’re considering becoming ordained online, you might be wondering: how much does it cost to get ordained?

The answer is simple: with the Universal Life Church, ordination is free. The ordination application is entirely online, and there are no application fees, renewals, or hidden charges – once you sign up, you’re an ordained minister for life.

Whether you’re seeking ordination to serve as a wedding officiant, follow a spiritual calling, or for any other reason, there is no charge for becoming ordained online.

But how does online ordination work, exactly? Let’s explore that question further.

What Does "Ordained Online" Truly Mean?

When you become ordained online, you are typically granted ministerial credentials through a religious organization (such as the Universal Life Church) that operates primarily via the internet. This process usually involves completing a simple application and acknowledging a statement of faith or a set of spiritual principles.

The organization then confers upon you the title of minister, enabling you to perform various religious ceremonies, such as weddings, baptisms, and funerals.

Online ordination provides a convenient and accessible way for people to gain the authority to conduct such services without undergoing lengthy seminary training.

Why Online Ordination is Free

As a nondenominational religious organization, the Universal Life Church believes that ordination should be accessible to everyone – regardless of what faith you follow or how you choose to identify. That’s why we make the process easy and free.

Why offer this option? Because traditional paths to ordination include rules and requirements that unfairly prevent many otherwise-qualified people from following their calling.

For example, an “old school” ordination typically requires putting in years of study, and paying thousands of dollars in education fees. But those aren’t the only exclusionary barriers involved. Traditional ministers must believe the “correct” things within their given religious institution. In many cases, they must also be the “correct” gender.

Without an alternative path to ordination, such restrictions would ensure that many people never have a chance to become ordained.

The Universal Life Church’s free online ordination model provides a simple, inclusive option for those who feel called to become a minister but lack the time, financial resources, or the “acceptable” identity to take more traditional paths to ordination.

If you plan to use your free ordination to officiate a wedding, there are some additional things to consider.

How Much Does It Cost to Be a Wedding Officiant?

Generally, it’s free to become a wedding officiant, because getting ordained with the Universal Life Church costs nothing. There are no recurring fees or “renewal” costs from the ULC associated with being a wedding officiant. Once ordained, your ordination remains in good standing indefinitely.

However, if someone who gets ordained (whether it’s you, a friend, or a family member) plans to officiate a wedding, there can be other expenses due to rules and requirements that individual states have put in place for officiating marriage ceremonies. These come in two forms:

1. Officiant registration or license fees. Some states or jurisdictions require wedding officiants – regardless of where they got ordained – to register with a local or county government or file paperwork before they can legally perform weddings. In those cases, there may be small filing or registration fees. These fees vary, but typically range from $10-20.
2. Official documents and wedding supplies. The ULC offers additional documents and supplies – like printed minister credentials, letters of good standing, and officiant apparel. These items are optional, and not required for your ordination to be recognized by the ULC. However, marriage officials, such as the county clerk, may ask for proof of ordination before giving the green light to solemnize a legal wedding ceremony.

These registration and document requirements vary from state to state (and even county to county), so we always advise ULC ministers to consult our State Wedding Guide for more precise guidance about the rules in their area.

Most states and municipalities also charge a fee for the marriage license. The couple applies for this document and receives it from the issuing office, so the officiant doesn’t typically pay any fees at this stage – but because the marriage license is a required legal document, it’s worth mentioning as a potential expense in the process of officiating a wedding.

What If My State Requires Officiants to Register?

Not a problem! The Universal Life Church has been helping its ministers officiate successful wedding ceremonies across the United States for decades.

If you live in an area that requires officiant registration, the ULC can provide official ordination documents and any additional paperwork or supplies you might need to make sure you’ll be able to officiate a legal wedding.

Our website includes step-by-step guides for how to register in your area, and our support team will be happy to assist you through the process if you have any additional questions.

Does Universal Life Church Ordination Expire?

An ordained minister license issued by the Universal Life Church does not expire and does not need to be renewed. Getting ordained online through the ULC is free, simple, and permanent.

While some ministers who plan to act as wedding officiants may incur registration costs due to state policy or choose to purchase additional materials for officiating, you never need to pay the ULC to become or remain an ordained minister.