How Does a 1-Day Marriage Officiant License Compare to Online Ordination?

Does your state have a ‘one day marriage officiant’ option, and how does it compare to getting ordained online with AMM? Let’s take a look! 

 

A handful of states offer unique ‘one day permits’ to officiate a single wedding on a specific date. But with online ordination offering a free and easy way to officiate countless weddings on any days you wish (through AMM) – why would anyone choose a one day permit instead? Let’s take a look!  

 

 

• What is a 'one day marriage officiant' license? 

 

First, let’s take a look at what authority a one day marriage officiant license gives you. These temporary appointments go by different names in different states – such as a Rhode Island ‘one day marriage officiant certificate’ or the ‘one day marriage designation’ in Massachusetts – but they accomplish the same thing: individuals complete an application and pay a fee, giving them the legal authority to officiate a single wedding on a specific date. 

 

Once that ceremony is complete (and the specific wedding date is past), your temporary status as a wedding officiant expires. You’ll have to go through the application process again, and pay a new fee, the next time you’re asked to perform a wedding.

 

 

• What does it mean to get ordained online to officiate a wedding? 

 

Getting ordained online offers a different way to become a wedding officiant. Because every state allows ordained ministers to officiate weddings, including ministers who are ordained online by online churches such as American Marriage Ministries, many people choose to get ordained to officiate a friend or relative’s wedding. Ordination with AMM is legally recognized in every state* (*except in VA, where we are currently looking into our options). 

 

Getting ordained with American Marriage Ministries is a free and easy process. You must complete a simple application online and again with our 3 tenets – that everyone has the right to get married, to choose their wedding officiant, and to perform weddings. (That’s marriage equality and love for all!)

 

And because your ordination with AMM never expires – you only need to get ordained once to perform countless weddings. It’s very simple! 

Become a minister today!

 

• So, why do some people choose a one-day marriage officiant license instead of becoming ordained online? 

 

This is a great question! Given that online ordination through AMM is free, easy, and never expires, why would some people choose to pay a fee for a one day officiant license? 

 

One reason people might choose a one day license is if they don’t agree with AMM’s inclusive tenets that all people have the right to get married or perform marriage ceremonies, including LGBTQIA+ and interracial couples. People who feel strongly against AMM’s tenets of marriage equality may choose a one day license instead.

 

On the other hand, if you support marriage equality for all people, that’s a great reason to get ordained with AMM!

 

Another reason someone might choose a one day license is if they are uncomfortable or unsure about spiritual ordination. This might be the case for an atheist or agnostic individual, who feels a secular (nonreligious) officiant designation is more inline with their values.

 

However, it’s important to note that AMM is nondenominational and proudly ordains atheists and agnostics. We don’t require our ministers to hold any specific spiritual beliefs; we only ask that ministers uphold our simple tenets of marriage equality for all people. 

 

And last, some people might favor a one day marriage officiant license after weighing cost vs. timing. Although online ordination through AMM is always free, around 15 states require new ministers to file copies of their minister credentials before they can perform a wedding, and these minister credentials must be purchased from the church. This can sometimes equal the cost of a one day license, making the choice a wash. 

 

On the other hand, online ordination is often the most affordable option for people who love officiating weddings and who hope to officiate more than one wedding. This is especially true if you hope to become a professional wedding officiant, or to officiate weddings for more than one friend or relative! 

 

 

Which states have a one day wedding officiant license / designation? 

 

Only a handful of states offer a one day officiant license. You don’t have to be a resident in one of these states to apply for the privilege, but the wedding must take place there. We’ll look at each one to see how the one day license compares to online ordination there.

 

(Keep in mind that state marriage laws change often; contact a clerk’s office in your state to ask about your options)

 

A few states with one day marriage officiant provisions:

 

• ALASKA

Alaska: A “One Day Marriage Commissioner Appointment” allows residents and nonresidents over the age of 18 to officiate a single wedding on a specific day. The fee for a one day marriage commissioner appointment is about $25.

 

On the other hand, it’s free to get ordained online in Alaska with AMM, and you don’t need to purchase any additional minister credentials to perform weddings there. That’s a total cost of $0.

 

• Compare in depth: Online Ordination vs. Alaska’s One Day Marriage Commissioner Application

GET ORDAINED ONLINE IN ALASKA 

• CALIFORNIA

California: The “Deputy Commissioner for a Day Program” is offered in some jurisdictions in California, granting individuals the authority to officiate a single wedding on a single day. The fee to become a deputy commissioner for a day is about $75, with an additional $13 expediting fee if you file less than a month before the wedding date. 

 

On the other hand, it’s free to get ordained online in California with AMM, and you don’t need to purchase any additional minister credentials to perform weddings there. That’s a total cost of $0.

 

• Compare in depth: Online Ordination vs California’s Deputy Commissioner For a Day Program for Weddings?

GET ORDAINED ONLINE IN CALIFORNIA

• DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (WASHINGTON, DC)

District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.): DC’s “Temporary Officiant” designation allows residents and nonresidents of The District to perform a single wedding on a specific date. The fee to become a temporary officiant is about $25.

 

On the other hand, it’s free to get ordained online in Washington, DC, with AMM, but you’ll need to register your minister credentials before the ceremony. Ordering your ministry documents and filing them will cost between $75 and $85, making this the best deal if you want to perform multiple weddings (including weddings in other states). 

GET ORDAINED ONLINE IN DC

• MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts: "One-Day Marriage Designation" is Massachusetts temporary wedding officiant option, and allows individuals to perform a single wedding on a specific day. The fee for a one day marriage designation is about $25. 

 

On the other hand, it’s free to get ordained online in Massachusetts with AMM, but you’ll need to register your minister credentials before the ceremony. Ordering your ministry documents and filing them will cost between $95 and $105, making this the best deal if you want to perform multiple weddings (including weddings in other states). 

 

• Compare in depth: Understanding Massachusetts One Day Marriage Designation vs Online Ordination for Officiants

GET ORDAINED ONLINE IN MASSACHUSETTS

• NEW YORK

New York: The state’s relatively new "One-Day Marriage Officiant License" gives individuals over the age of 18 the authority to officiate a single wedding on a specific date. The fee for a one day marriage officiant license is about $25. 

 

On the other hand, it’s free to get ordained online in New York with AMM, and in most parts of the state you don’t need to purchase any additional minister documents to perform a wedding there. Total cost in most cases is $0. 

 

The exception to this is in NYC, where new officiants do need to register before a wedding; in NYC, ordering your AMM minister documents and registering them will cost between $55 and $65, making this the best choice if you want to perform multiple weddings (including weddings in other states). 

 

• Compare in depth: New York’s One-Day Officiant License vs Online Ordination: Which is the best choice for Wedding Officiants?

GET ORDAINED IN NEW YORK

• RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island: A "One-Day Marriage Officiant Certificate" is available in Rhode Island, and allows individuals to perform a single wedding on a specific date. (But if you’ve ever been ordained, you’re not eligible for this certificate.) The fee for a one day marriage officiant certificate is around $25. 

 

On the other hand, it’s free to get ordained online in Rhode Island with AMM, and you don’t need to purchase any additional minister credentials to perform weddings there. That’s a total cost of $0.

 

• Compare in depth: Online Ordination vs. One Day Marriage Officiant in Rhode Island for Weddings?

GET ORDAINED ONLINE IN RHODE ISLAND

• VERMONT

Vermont: A “Temporary Officiant” registration is available in Vermont, allowing state residents and nonresidents to officiate a single wedding on a specific date. The registration fee is around $100. 

 

On the other hand, it’s free to get ordained online in Vermont with AMM, and residents of the state don’t need to purchase any additional minister credentials to perform weddings there. That’s a total cost of $0.

 

The exception to this is for out-of-state ordained ministers, who must register their credentials before performing a wedding. In this case, ordering your AMM minister documents and registering them will cost between $95 and $105 (about equal to the one day registration fee), making this the best option if you wish to perform additional weddings in your home state and other states.

GET ORDAINED ONLINE IN VERMONT

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More Advice & Tips for Wedding Officiants

 

• How to Officiate a Wedding For the First Time
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• What to Wear (and Not Wear) as a Wedding Officiant

 

• A Simple Wedding Script to Use When a Friend Officiates Your Ceremony
   

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