Frequently Asked Questions

Church of Pride ordains ministers under our Statement of Beliefs to officiate marriages and ceremonies. Online ordination has been broadly upheld by U.S. courts, including in Universal Life Church v. Utah (2002). That said, marriage laws vary by state and county — some jurisdictions require ministers to register locally or obtain additional documentation before officiating. We strongly encourage you to check with your local county clerk's office to understand the specific requirements in your area before performing a ceremony.

Not at all. Church of Pride welcomes everyone — LGBTQIA2+ individuals and allies alike. The only requirement is that you affirm our values of love, inclusion, and dignity for all people. Many of our ministers are straight allies who got ordained because they wanted to support their friends, family, or community.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Fill out the form, complete the one-time $20 payment, and your ordination certificate will be emailed to you instantly. There's no coursework, no waiting period, no interview, and no follow-up fees or upsells. What you see is what you get.

No. Your ordination with the Church of Pride is valid for life. There are no annual fees, renewal requirements, or recurring charges of any kind. Many ordination providers charge for renewals, "letters of good standing," or premium credential packages — we don't. Pay once, and you're ordained forever.

Yes. As an ordained minister of the Church of Pride, you can officiate weddings for any couple — regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, or background. There are no restrictions on who you can marry.

You'll receive a personalized PDF certificate of ordination emailed to the address you provide. This certificate includes your full legal name, the date of your ordination, and your unique ordination number. You can print it, frame it, or present it to local authorities as needed. That's everything — there are no add-on packages or extra fees to unlock additional credentials.

It depends on where you plan to officiate. Some states and counties require ordained ministers to register before performing marriages, while others do not. For example, New York City requires online-ordained ministers to register with the NYC Clerk Marriage Bureau. Virginia requires court approval before officiating. It is your responsibility to research and comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. We recommend contacting your county clerk's office as a first step.

The overwhelming majority of states recognize online ordination for performing marriages. However, a few states have restrictions or legal challenges, which is why we do not offer ordination in those states. North Carolina courts have ruled against certain online ordination organizations. Virginia requires additional court approval. Some individual counties in Pennsylvania may request additional proof of credentials. The single most important step for any ordained minister is to contact the county clerk's office where the specific wedding will take place, as local officials are the final authority on documentation and procedures.

Church of Pride is a religious organization with a formal Statement of Beliefs centered on the sanctity of love, the right to officiate marriage, the inherent dignity of all people, and spiritual autonomy. We don't prescribe a specific theology or require traditional worship — instead, we ask that every minister affirm our core tenets. We exist to provide an affirming, accessible path to ordination for those who don't feel represented by traditional religious institutions. When you get ordained through Church of Pride, you're making a statement about what you believe in.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the right of religious organizations to ordain ministers free from government interference. Courts have consistently held that the government cannot evaluate whether a religion is 'real enough' or give preference to established churches over newer ones. Church of Pride operates as a registered business entity with a formal Statement of Beliefs, a defined ordination process, and corporate governance documents. Every minister makes a deliberate, considered choice to affirm our tenets before being ordained — which is the standard courts look for. We are transparent about being a for-profit organization and about the fact that we are new. We believe our legal standing is built on sincerely held beliefs, a formal structure, and constitutional protections — not on age or tradition.

Yes, and in most cases, online ordination has been upheld. In Universal Life Church v. Utah (2002), a U.S. District Court ruled that barring online ordinations was unconstitutional — holding that online ordinations are no different legally than those performed by phone, fax, or in person. Tennessee passed a law in 2019 specifically targeting online-ordained ministers; it was enjoined by a federal court and officials settled in 2023, acknowledging enforcement could violate the Constitution. A small number of marriages officiated by online-ordained ministers have been challenged, primarily in New York divorce cases, while Mississippi's Supreme Court upheld a ULC-officiated marriage. The legal trend strongly favors recognition of online ordination, but laws vary by jurisdiction. We always recommend checking with your county clerk before officiating.

Marriage laws vary significantly by country. While our ordination is recognized within the United States, international recognition depends on the laws of the specific country where the ceremony takes place. If you plan to officiate abroad, we recommend consulting with local legal authorities in that country well in advance of the wedding.

No problem. Just visit our certificate retrieval page at churchofpride.com/retrieve and enter the email address you used when you were ordained. You'll be able to download your certificate again instantly — no password needed, no waiting, and no charge.

Absolutely. Many of our ministers officiate weddings professionally and charge for their services. Your ordination through Church of Pride is your credential — how you use it is entirely up to you. Whether you officiate for free for friends or build a business around it, that's your call.

Yes. We process all payments through Stripe, one of the world's most trusted payment platforms. We never see or store your credit card information. Stripe handles all payment security and is PCI-DSS compliant.

Because ordination is delivered digitally and instantly, we generally do not offer refunds once the certificate has been issued. If you experience a technical issue or did not receive your certificate, please contact us at hello@churchofpride.com and we'll make it right.

After getting ordained, the general process is: (1) Check with the county clerk's office where the wedding will be held to understand local requirements. (2) Register if your jurisdiction requires it. (3) Ensure the couple has obtained their marriage license. (4) Perform the ceremony, which must include a declaration of intent (the vows) and a pronouncement of marriage. (5) Ensure all required parties sign the marriage license. (6) File or return the signed marriage license to the appropriate government office within the required timeframe, which typically ranges from 4 to 30 days depending on the state.