The Universal Life Church occasionally receives questions about its legal standing and the legitimacy of its online ordinations. Our responses to the most commonly-posed queries about online ordination and the legal status of the ULC are listed below – please read on to allay any concerns you may have about whether your ULC ordination will be legally recognized.
Is the Universal Life Church Legitimate?
It is legitimate. The Universal Life Church is the world’s largest online religious organization and we have over 20 million members around the globe. The ULC is registered as a non-profit corporation in the State of Washington, and as a foreign corporation in eight other states, like all conventional churches must do. Therefore, it enjoys identical standing to all other churches, including the legal ability to confer ordination upon anyone who feels so-called and who completes our online application process.
What Makes Universal Life Church Ordination Legit?
Courts have consistently ruled that Universal Life Church ordinations are legitimate and should be legally recognized.
This legal history began with a 1974 case, in which the Universal Life Church sued the government of the United States after the church's tax-exempt designation was challenged. In addition to ruling on the main questions posed by the lawsuit, the judge also weighed in on the topics of the status of independent church entities and mail-order (and by extension online) ordination.
The ULC greatly furthered the interests of non-traditional religious organizations by litigating, and ultimately winning, this case.
Why Is Online Ordination Legal?
The decision in the 1974 case included several key findings. Perhaps the most important part of the decision is the portion that provides assurance to those who get ordained remotely that their credentials enjoy full legitimacy under the law.
The court stated that neither it nor any other arm of government would "consider the merits or fallacies of a religion" or engage in a comparison between newer religions and older ones. This meant that no government body or agent has the right to say what constitutes a religion and what does not.
The court also declined to "praise or condemn a religion, however excellent or fanatical or preposterous it may seem." The opinion went on to state that for the court to engage in such activities would to "impinge upon the guarantees of the First Amendment."
The ruling set a precedent that anyone who decides to become ordained through the church remotely (via mail back then, and via the internet today) can have full confidence in the legitimacy of their ordination under the law.
What Is the Legal Status of the ULC Today?
The Universal Life Church has only continued to expand and evolve as it entered into the 21st century. Today, the ULC has ordained over 20 million ministers around the globe, and has successfully defended its ministers in numerous legal cases in which their constitutional rights and freedoms were being violated.
In recent years we’ve gone to bat for our ministers in places like Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Clark County, NV, where government officials sought to discourage (or outright block) ULC ministers from exercising their rights as members of the clergy to solemnize marriages. We were proud to secure victories in each case, ensuring that ULC ministers remain empowered to perform legal marriage ceremonies.
Today, ULC ordinations are fully recognized and accepted in the vast majority of the United States and, increasingly, around the world.
We remain fully committed to ensuring that one day ULC ministers will be fully accepted and recognized in every jurisdiction. If you hear from any government official that your ordination will not be accepted by them for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact us so that our legal team can determine how we might best assist you.
What Documents are Required to Prove ULC Ordination?
It really depends on the location, as rules and requirements vary from state to state (and even county to county) across the United States. The most common types of documents you’ll be asked to provide are your ordination credentials and a Letter of Good Standing in order to receive approval to preside over a marriage ceremony. These items – and any other supplies you might need – are available through our Minister Store.
For those planning to perform a marriage ceremony, we recommend contacting the relevant county or town clerk to ask what documentation they require from you. For more information about the process for officiating a wedding in your area, please visit our state wedding laws guide.
Have questions about the legality of the ULC ordination that aren't answered in this blog? Contact us with your queries and a member of our team will be happy to answer them.
