Online Ordination by State

Every state has its own rules for online-ordained ministers. Whether you want to officiate a wedding for loved ones or begin your ministry, find out what your state requires.

No Registration Required
Registration Required
Legal Gray Area
Restricted

All States

Alabama

AL
No Registration Required

Alaska

AK
No Registration Required

Arizona

AZ
No Registration Required

Arkansas

AR
Registration Required

California

CA
No Registration Required

Colorado

CO
No Registration Required

Connecticut

CT
No Registration Required

Delaware

DE
Registration Required

Florida

FL
No Registration Required

Georgia

GA
No Registration Required

Hawaii

HI
Registration Required

Idaho

ID
No Registration Required

Illinois

IL
No Registration Required

Indiana

IN
No Registration Required

Iowa

IA
No Registration Required

Kansas

KS
No Registration Required

Kentucky

KY
No Registration Required

Louisiana

LA
Registration Required

Maine

ME
Registration Required

Maryland

MD
No Registration Required

Massachusetts

MA
Registration Required

Michigan

MI
No Registration Required

Minnesota

MN
Registration Required

Mississippi

MS
No Registration Required

Missouri

MO
No Registration Required

Montana

MT
No Registration Required

Nebraska

NE
No Registration Required

Nevada

NV
Registration Required

New Hampshire

NH
Registration Required (Non-Residents)

New Jersey

NJ
No Registration Required

New Mexico

NM
No Registration Required

New York

NY
Registration Required (NYC)

North Carolina

NC
Legal Gray Area

North Dakota

ND
No Registration Required

Ohio

OH
Registration Required

Oklahoma

OK
Registration Required

Oregon

OR
No Registration Required

Pennsylvania

PA
Legal Gray Area

Rhode Island

RI
No Registration Required

South Carolina

SC
No Registration Required

South Dakota

SD
No Registration Required

Tennessee

TN
Restricted

Texas

TX
No Registration Required

Utah

UT
No Registration Required

Vermont

VT
Registration Required (Non-Residents)

Virginia

VA
Restricted

Washington

WA
No Registration Required

Washington, D.C.

DC
Registration Required

West Virginia

WV
Registration Required

Wisconsin

WI
No Registration Required

Wyoming

WY
No Registration Required

At a Glance

32
No Registration Required
15
Registration Required
4
Restricted or Gray Area

How Online Ordination Works

What is online ordination?

Online ordination allows you to become a legally recognized minister through a religious organization's website. Once ordained, you can perform marriages, ceremonies, and other ministerial duties in most U.S. states.

Ordination vs. registration

Your ordination gives you the authority to be a minister. Some states require an additional step: registering your credentials with a government office such as the county clerk, probate court, or secretary of state. Check your state's page for details.

Always verify locally

Marriage laws are handled at the local level, and rules can differ from county to county. The county clerk's office where the marriage license is issued is the final authority on what is required. Always call ahead to confirm.

Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Marriage laws change frequently and can vary by county. Always verify current requirements with the local county clerk's office where the wedding will take place.

Officiate with Pride

Become ordained through the Church of Pride and celebrate love in all its forms. Our ordination is free and open to everyone.

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