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Three Easy Steps To Ordination...
We work with you to
become a trained and licensed
Officiant for all ceremonial rites, with legal ordination through First Nation
Ministry and comprehensive
certification through the American Council of Wedding Officiants
(ACWO). The process
generally takes only a few days, is simple, requires minimal
study* and is
valid and legal everywhere in the world!
Under the bylaws of First Nation Ministry, any person can
serve as a ceremonial minister (or Officiant) for weddings, funerals, commitment
ceremonies, handfasting, house blessings, naming ceremonies and other
rites with approval of the church's board. Click
here to begin the ordination process ... it only
takes a few minutes!
* — Most states have no training or educational
requirements for ceremonial ministers, although you are required
to comply with a standardized code of ethics and remain in good
standing with the ministry.
What are the steps toward becoming a
certified wedding Officiant?
Step 1: Check the laws in your state or county.
Visit your Secretary of State's website or contact your local county
clerk's office to confirm what the local requirements are for
serving as a wedding minister. (For a basic guide to state laws,
please click here or feel
free to contact us for more information.)
Step 2: Become ordained.
If you are not currently ordained, the legal process of
becoming ordained as a ceremonial minister for weddings and
other rites is fast, simple and
inexpensive — but it is required by law in all 50 states
and U.S. territories. You must be in regular
communion and remain in good standing with the religious organization to lawfully serve as a
minister or Officiant. (Please click
here to begin the ordination process.)
Step 3: Perform the ceremony. Before the
wedding, carefully read and review all parts of the marriage license.
Communicate with the bridal couple. Know what your legal role is
in the process. Sign the marriage license as required by law,
and properly submit it to the licensing authority in a timely
manner. Failure to do so may jeopardize the legal
standing of the marriage union!
Please click here to begin the ordination process...
The bride has chosen the perfect dress,
the perfect location for the ceremony, the perfect caterer...
she's even picked
the perfect partner to spend the rest of her life with! What
about the person who is going to perform the ceremony? Perhaps
you're lucky enough to belong to a church or temple and already
have your minister or officiant in mind.
WHAT IF
YOU WANT A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER
TO SERVE AS YOUR WEDDING MINISTER?
Did you know that, in most locations, anyone
can officiate at your wedding, not just a minister, notary public,
justice of the peace, or an officer of the court?
Did you know that — if you prefer — you may have any legally designated
person conduct your wedding ceremony, whether it's your mother or
father, a brother or sister, cousin, uncle or aunt, even your best
friend?
Having a friend or family member
officiate over your wedding ceremony adds a distinctive and
wonderful touch to your special day!
Whether you are writing your own vows, or even if you prefer a
traditional religious ceremony, we can help to make sure that the person
you have selected to serve as your officiant is legally ordained and
recognized by your local governmental authority.
HOW DOES
ORDINATION WORK?
First, decide upon the person that you would like to have conduct your
ceremony, and discuss your plans with that person. Next, if your chosen
officiant agrees to conduct your ceremony, and if he or she has not been
ordained as a minister or certified to legally conduct wedding
ceremonies, please ask him or her to visit this website and click on the
"Get Ordained Now!"
link, which is located below on this page.
THINKING ABOUT GETTING ORDAINED ELSEWHERE?
LEARN MORE ABOUT FREE ORDINATION!
Please be aware that, under federal law in the United States and under
common law in nearly every country around the world,
you are not required to undergo any religious or ceremonial training,
nor are you required to undergo any testing or take any exams in order
to receive your ministerial credential or certification as a wedding
officiant, which is granted under the bylaws of
First Nation
Church and in compliance with the Native American Free Exercise of
Religion Act of 1993 and the First Amendment of the United States
Constitution, which guarantees absolute freedom of religion.
It only
takes only a few minutes to become a
legally ordained minister, and the only cost is a nominal document
processing fee! |
