AMERICAN WEDDINGS BLOG
Stay up to date with the latest wedding ceremony trends, script writing inspiration, tips and advice for first-time officiants, and news that matters to couples and wedding ministers.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Ordained Online in Washington?
Published Wednesday, Jul. 31st, 2024
Learn the best place to get ordained online free to officiate weddings in Washington State!
In this article we compare the costs of popular online ordination services for people who want to officiate weddings in Washington, including free ordination with American Marriage Ministries.
How much does it cost to get ordained online in Washington State? This will probably be a shorter article than you’re expecting… Because online ordination is always free with American Marriage Ministries – in every U.S. state including Washington State!
American Marriage Ministries a Seattle-based nonprofit, non-denominational church that offers free online ordination for weddings, advocates for marriage equality, and trains ministers to ensure that all people have the right to get married and to perform marriage. AMM ordains people of all backgrounds and beliefs.
To date, we’ve ordained over 1,350,000 ministers who have officiated weddings all across the United States… including almost 40,000 ministers in Washington State, and counting.
- How to Become a Wedding Officiant in Washington State
- Conviértete en un Oficiante de Bodas en Washington State
Are there additional costs to officiate a wedding in Washington State?
No : Washington State doesn’t require ministers to register with the state before performing a marriage ceremony – this means that once you’ve been ordained, you’re qualified to officiate a wedding anywhere in the State of Washington and don’t need to purchase additional documents or pay a registration fee.
- Washington State Officiant Government Registration Requirements
- Requisitos para Registrarte como Oficiante en Washington State
However, it’s recommended that you order proof of your ordination for your records to have on hand in case you need to verify your credentials. These credentials can be ordered from the AMM Store:
♦ ORDER YOUR MINISTER CREDENTIALS HERE
Above: AMM's Standard Minister Ordination Package comes with your official ordination certificate, a letter of good standing, an exclusive minister manual, a sample wedding ceremony script, and other materials to help you solemnize your first marriage ceremony like a professional. See the full package here.
Is online ordination legal in Washington State?
Yes! Online ordained ministers are recognized clergy in Washington and are allowed to perform marriage ceremonies. This means that once you become an ordained minister online, your right to conduct religious ceremonies of all forms is protected by the religious non-establishment clause of the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
Keep in mind that officiating weddings is the only rite that also involves a legal government component: completing and signing the marriage license.
Who can officiate a wedding in Washington?
Online ordained ministers can officiate weddings in Washington, as well as other traditional clergy and certain government officials including various judges and commissioners.
See a full list of authorized Washington marriage officiants here: Washington State Marriage Laws.
This means that you can officiate a wedding in Washington if you've been ordained online by a credible organization, including AMM.
Photo: Photo by Pixabay
Wondering how to get a license to officiate a wedding in washington? You don't need one! All you need to solemnize a marriage and sign the marriage license is your online minister ordination through a credible organization like AMM.
Are there other low-cost & free ways to become an ordained minister online in Washington State? And which organization is the best place to get ordained online for YOU?
If you’re researching the best place to get ordained online in Washington State, and believe that all people have the right to get married and officiate weddings, AMM might be a great fit for you. But we know it’s important to consider all your options!
Below, we compare the costs of several internet churches offering online ordination to help you choose the best match for your needs and beliefs. Some of these options are free, while others charge a fee.
1. American Marriage Ministries: Free
As mentioned above, online ordination is completely free with American Marriage Ministries! AMM ordains people of all faiths and backgrounds and are legally recognized in Washington State.
AMM is an inclusive federally-recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit interfaith church. We believe that every couple has the constitutionally protected right to enter into the institution of marriage on their own terms, including the right to choose who performs their wedding ceremony. There is no fee to get ordained online with AMM, but you might need to pay a small fee for physical copies of your credentials to file with your state.
2. The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster : $59
It doesn’t cost anything to be a Pastafarian, but members who wish to become ordained through The Church of the FSM to perform weddings or other ceremonial rites will need to purchase an Official Ordination Pack. At the time of writing, this package costs $59 and can be purchased on the SpaghettiMonster.org website.
3. The Universal Life Church (ULC): Free
Originally formed in the early 1960s, ULC follows the doctrine, “Do that which is right.” Several offshoots of this church have formed over the years, including some that aren’t affiliated with the original Modesto church. Ordinations through The Universal Life Church are free.
4. Various online Christian churches: $100 or less
There are several online Christian ordination services that offer ordinations for free, or for a fee of $100 or less. It’s important to note that these organizations require ministers / pastors to adhere to specific religious views and practices (sign a Statement of Faith), and to the views of each individual church, in order to become ordained. A few low-cost Christian options include Minister Now ($25 at time of writing); Christian Harvest Church ($78 at time of writing); and the National Association of Christian Ministers.
In addition to the few listed here, there are many other organizations providing online ordination for free or for a fee. Research your options carefully to choose the best ordination for your needs, beliefs, and budget.
...
Next, learn how to officiate a wedding in Washington!
Become a friend officiant, or take the leap as a professional Washington wedding officiant!
After you get ordained, it’s time to learn about your role as a wedding officiant!
You can continue your education as a minister and wedding officiant with American Marriage Ministries. Start for free, or invest in a low cost training course!
The links below offer useful resources for first time officiants and those considering professional officiant training:
Delivering a wedding ceremony is just one of the responsibilities of wedding officiant. An officiant's primary role is to pronounce the couple married and sign the marriage license, making the ceremony legal. Learn how to do this correctly with one of the useful online officiant training tools above!
Read Next:
Read all Washington Wedding Ideas & Inspiration
How To Officiate By State
Who Will Officiate Your Wedding?
Choose Your Officiant with our "Will You Marry Us?" Gift Package.
Signature Wedding Officiant Package
Our premiere package contains everyting you need to officiate like a pro.
The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies
It's finally here! Timeless scripts and heartfelt vow inspiration to bring life to your ceremony.
Professional Wedding Officiant Certification Course
Learn from the Pros to Officiate with Confidence!
POPULAR ARTICLES
Donate to AMM
Your generosity keeps American Marriage Ministries running.
Wedding Officiant Training
Everything you need to know to officiate.
Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts
Need inspiration? Check out our free ceremony scripts!