How Much Does it Cost to Get Ordained Online in West Virginia?

Learn the best place to get ordained online free to officiate weddings in West Virginia! 

 

In this article we compare the costs of popular online ordination services for people who want to officiate weddings in West Virginia, including free ordination with American Marriage Ministries. 
 

How much does it cost to get ordained online in West Virginia? 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 West Virginia! 
 

• Get Ordained online free with AMM here

 
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 from all backgrounds and beliefs. 
 

To date, we’ve ordained over 1,350,000 ministers who have officiated weddings all across the United States… including over 8,000 ministers in West Virginia and counting.

 

• How to Become a Wedding Officiant in West Virginia
• Conviértete en un Oficiante de Bodas en West Virginia

 

 

Photo: Sofia Hernandez / Unsplash

Would you like to become an ordained minister to officiate weddings? A qualified West Virginia wedding officiant can be ordained online, and will need to submit proof of their ordination to the local clerk's office. See more details below! 

 

 

Are there additional costs to officiate a wedding in West Virginia?  

 

Yes : West Virginia does require ministers to register with the state before performing a marriage ceremony – this means that after you get ordained,  you’ll need to purchase ministry credentials and register this proof of ordination with your local clerk’s office. The minister registration process is easy and straightforward in West Virginia, and the additional fee is small. 

 

• West Virginia Officiant Government Registration Requirements
• Requisitos para Registrarte como Oficiante en West Virginia

 

What is required to perform a wedding in West Virginia?

 

West Virginia requires all clergy members (including those ordained on the internet) to provide proof of ordination, such as an ordination certificate and letter of good standing from their ordaining church. This is described in more detail in the pages that are linked above. 

These ministry 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.

 

Is online ordination legal in West Virginia? 

 

Yes! Online ordained ministers are recognized clergy in West Virginia 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 West Virginia? 

 

As mentioned above, online ordained ministers can officiate weddings in West Virginia after they register their minister credentials with the state. Other qualified West Virginia marriage officiants include traditional clergy members and certain government officials including various judges and justices.
 
See a full list of authorized West Virginia marriage officiants here: West Virginia Marriage Laws.
 
This means that you can legally officiate a wedding in West Virginia if you've been ordained online by a credible organization, including AMM, and have filed proof of your credentials locally.
 

 

Photo: cindy baffour / Unsplash

Become a West Virginia marriage officiant with free ordination online through AMM! It's easy and only takes a minute to complete the application.

 

 

Are there other low-cost & free ways to become an ordained minister online in West Virginia? 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 West Virginia, 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. 

 

Compare costs of popular places to get ordained online 

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 West Virginia. 
 
AMM is an LGBTQ+ inclusive, federally-recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit nondenominational 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.

 

• Get ordained to officiate a wedding in West Virginia 

 

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. 

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Next, learn how to officiate a wedding in West Virginia! Become a friend officiant, or take the leap as a professional West Virginia wedding officiant! 

 

After you become an ordained minister, 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:
 

• Free Wedding Officiant Training
   
• Low Cost Professional Wedding Officiant Training Online: Courses

 

• Officiant Accelerator: Live Officiant Training Seminars

 

• Officiants Online: Virtual Lectures and Events

 

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