1. Become an Ordained Minister in California

Every journey begins with a first step, and yours begins with filling out the ordination form on our website. Once you fill out and submit the form, your application will be processed and you'll be ordained instantly. Congratulations, you're now an ordained minister! To get things started, click the link below:

Start Your Ordination

You might be wondering how something that was previously so complicated can now be so simple. Our philosophy is that anyone who feels the calling should be able to get ordained without barrier, and that's why we've made ordination easier than it's ever been in history. It is our privilege to foster your ordination, and in turn, perhaps assist you in making your own spiritual dreams come true.

2. Put Your Ordination to Use in California

After you've filled out the ordination form and received your confirmation email, you have a variety of options on how to use your newfound ordination, should you so choose. From San Diego to San Francisco, our ministers regularly perform one-of-a-kind ceremonies for friends and loved ones.

As a minister of the Universal Life Church, you can:

• Officiate wedding ceremonies
• Perform baptisms and christenings
• Preside over funerals
• Oversee myriad other spiritual ceremonies

Ministers in California can even open their own ministry or church should they so choose! To take a look at the options you have, we encourage you to take a look at our Minister Training Center for a full rundown.

3. How Ordination Works in California

Ordination has been around for centuries, and is of paramount importance to many religious denominations. The details will of course vary between faiths, but generally, getting ordained is the process by which one is officially recognized as a clergyperson in a particular religious denomination or faith tradition. Ordination establishes one as a leader within the faith, and grants privileges within the faith unavailable to outsiders. One such privilege, for example, is the power to officiate weddings.

In centuries past, ordination was often a long and grueling process, required a significant investment of both money and time. Not to mention the exclusivity; Ordination was often only reserved for men.

We do not subscribe to such an approach. The Universal Life Church believes that those are all simply artificial barriers obscuring those called to ordination from reaching their goals. And it is for that reason that we've made ordination quick, free, and available to all. We believe that anyone in California should be able to get ordained online at no cost, so that they might pursue their ministerial goals unburdened.

Perhaps most exciting, however, is that Universal Life Church ordination grants one the legal rights of clergy of other religious traditions, including fulfilling legal duties like officiating weddings!

4. Ordination Supplies Required in California

As you consider your ordination path, please take stock of the fact that you'll likely need a handful of documents, apparel, and other materials in order to fulfill your role as a minister. What you need might change state to state, but our ministers in California find that the following items are important:

No matter what you use your ordination for, always remember that we have resources online and items available to you to shepard you on your ministerial journey.

5. Use Your Ordination to Perform Weddings in California

There are a lot of reasons one might want to get ordained, but one of the most popular is to officiate legal weddings for friends and family, and ULCM ordination grants everyone the right to legally officiate weddings.

Working with the couple allows the ultimate customization, and can take you to some fantastic locations. For example, you could get lucky and end up enjoying a glamorous Hollywood Hills reception. Other couples might opt for a non-denominational wedding at one of the beautiful scenic vistas along the California coastline of Del Mar Beach.

If officiating weddings is one of the reasons you got ordained, you'll want to make sure you check out the weddings laws where the wedding is taking place. Please note that wedding laws can change state to state and even county to county. To find out more about the legal requirements in your area, take a look at our page on officiating weddings in California.

How California Recognizes ULC Ordinations

Fully legally recognized in California, Universal Life Church Ministries has the legal standing to issue valid religious ordinations. Per state law, ministers in good standing with ULCM can carry out all standard duties one might expect of clergy, including, but not limited to, the power to preside over and officiate fully legal wedding ceremonies.