Q&A for How to Become an Ordained Minister Online

Some ministries will ordain you for life, while others may only ordain you for a year before requiring a renewal.

Yes, but you must be over 18 and file with the government.

If your friend is an officially ordained minister, then yes he can. Make sure to check your state laws, since not every state allows online-ordained ministers to legally perform marriages.

No. The tax exemption is for religious organizations. Being or becoming ordained could allow you to start a religious organization but until that actually happens, there is no tax exemption. Bear in mind that the organization is what goes tax free, your personal income probably won't be.

Non-profit is for an organization such as a church. A single person is not a church and therefore not entitled to this exemption. In short, you MUST have a church or similar to file and get the redemption. That being said, you don't need the exemption at all to have a church. Just pay taxes like you do now.

You need to check with the organization who is issuing the ordination about where they are recognized. The church who is ordaining you will have to go through certain requirements to be accepted in some states, and not all online organizations do. Some are recognized across the U.S.

Yes, New York is one of 39 states that accepts online ordinations.

Call the county clerk and ask.

Many of the legitimate online organizations offer the ordination for free. The only things that you pay for are any documents or supplies that you order from their store. Some others do have an upfront cost, and sometimes renewal fees as well, so just do your research before choosing the organization you will go with.

Texas does recognize online ordinations. They may also require you to provide a credential of ministry or a letter of good standing to the register before you are able to perform a marriage ceremony. It is always best to check directly with the office issuing the marriage license to the couple to verify what, if anything, they will require of the minister. They will already be familiar with most of the larger online churches.

You will have to check with the office issuing the marriage license to the couple and make sure you meet their requirements. If the license is being issued in Jamaica, then the minister will be required to meet the law there, rather than in the US.

You will need to check directly with the organization that ordained you. Some are good for life and never expire, others require yearly renewals with fees.

There are multiple denominations available, some having more or less inclusive beliefs than others. If you want to perform gay marriages and are comfortable with the practice, then you can choose one of the more flexible denominations. If you would prefer not to perform gay marriages, then you can choose one of the more strict denominations that better fits your own belief system. Either way though, no matter what you choose, you would never be forced to perform a marriage against your will. If you believe that a particular marriage is against God, then simply don't perform that marriage and allow the couple to seek a minister elsewhere.

It doesn't take long at all. In total, you can expect to spend less than an hour on it.

Maine does recognize online ordinations, and they may also require you to provide a credential of ministry or a letter of good standing to register before you are able to perform a marriage ceremony. It is always best to check directly with the office issuing the marriage license to the couple to verify what, if anything, they will require of the minister. They will already be familiar with most of the larger online churches.

Hawaii does recognize online ministers, but they also require that you register with the Department of Health/Vital Records before you are legally able to perform a wedding there.

Usually the answer to that would be no, but if you are not the main officiant you may be allowed to participate in the ceremony.

Yes.

Most online ordinations will accept your application if you are over the age of 13, but you may not be able to perform a wedding until you are 18 or 21, depending on the laws in the state where the wedding will take place.

Contact the clerk of courts in your local community. You can also get the information in the local office that issues marriage licenses.

Yes, Minnesota does recognize online ordinations, and they may also require you to provide a credential of ministry or a letter of good standing to register before you are able to perform a marriage ceremony. It is always best to check directly with the office issuing the marriage license to the couple to verify what, if anything, they will require of the minister. They will already be familiar with most of the larger online churches.

It depends on Missouri's law pertaining to online ordination.

Yes, they may be required to provide additional documents and register, but online ordinations are recognized in the majority of the US. Research the organization to make sure they are recognized in the area in which you are looking to perform the ceremony.

Yes, they should recognize the online ordinations.

Contact your clerk of courts. Obviously, if the clerk states that online ordination is recognized in that county, then it would be recognized in your state. However, just because it is accepted in that county or adjacent counties, it may not be in other counties. Best to phone your county clerk nevertheless.

Yes. Online ministry services and ordination organizations provide "interfaith" ordination. You can then register with your county or local municipality to serve as a rabbi or like with the Jewish faith. Be careful, though, as some religious bodies (that is if you follow the strict Jewish protocol), may not recognize your online ordination. It's best, if you desire to perform Jewish ceremonies, to serve as a "reformed" minister in this capacity. This should be no problem, since more people are less religious now, and more spiritual-based.

I don't see why not. However, like I've mentioned to many others here, it would be in your best interest to investigate this matter further with your local municipality and its governing hierarchy. Some government bodies and their local religious organizations may not recognize online ordination services.

Yes, New Mexico does recognize online ordinations. Some online churches offering ordination may require you to be a practitioner of a specific faith but many, such as the Universal Life Church Ministries, do not have such requirements.

Yes, California does recognize online ordination from legally recognized churches, such as the Universal Life Church Ministries.

Yes, Mississippi does recognize ministers ordained online to officiate marriages.