first time wedding officiants online ordination wedding and ceremony planning

Want to become a marriage officiant online? Let’s get started right away…

Published Sunday, Apr. 5th, 2020

If you want to become a marriage officiant online, just follow these four easy steps to get ordained and officiate weddings.

Learn how to become a wedding officiant online today with AMM

We’ve noticed an uptick in the number of folks getting ordained online, and it must be because people are spending more time than ever planning for the future – including lots of weddings that are sure to happen once the COVID-19 shutdown ends.

Becoming an ordained minister is the first (and most important) step. Plus, it’s free right here on this website. But for those of you that are new to this, let’s spend a few minutes reviewing the four easy steps that will have you on your way to officiating in no time.

1. Get Ordained Online with AMM

American Marriage Ministries is an IRS 501c3 Certified Church that provides online ordination so that you can officiate weddings for friends, family, and other people in your community. Our ministers have racked up hundreds-of-thousands of weddings, and our ordination is recognized in every state in the country.

Get ordained online here, it only takes a minute or two.

Our online ordination is free, fast, and your first step to becoming a wedding officiant. Most states have strict requirements that regulate who can, and can’t perform a wedding. Our ministers (that’s gonna be you soon!) meet these requirements. All you need to do is click the “get ordained” button and the rest is easy.

2. Comply with your local marriage requirements.

This part is very important. Some states have registration requirements that require officiants to file documents certifying that they are ordained ministers and legally allowed to officiate weddings.

If this sounds intimidating, don’t worry. We’ve done all the research and we provide all the documents and forms that you might need. All you need to do is check your state requirements after you get ordained, and we’ll guide you through the process.

Check your state's requirements here: Weddings by State.

(Be sure to check the state where the wedding will be held.)

Close up image of a man signing paperwork at a desk, to represent a new wedding officiant registering with his local government

You gotta cross your t's and dot your i's...

3. Prepare for the ceremony (with the engaged couple)

Now we’re ready for the fun part. Part of the Officiant’s job is to start the ceremony planning early. You want everything in place before you start practicing the ceremony. Even if the couple is writing some or all of the ceremony script, the officiant should still be following up, and making sure that the ceremony is being prepared on a certain timeline.

That way, they will have the proper amount of time to practice and make revisions.

If this is your first shot, check out our bestselling book, Asked to Officiate, for a step-by-step guide that will make all the difference.

4. Officiate the wedding!

If you diligently followed the previous three steps, this part will be the most rewarding experience of your life!

Officiating weddings puts you at the center of one of the most exciting and meaningful experiences possible. As a wedding officiant, you get to help the couple tell their story, and share their love with those around them.

In Conclusion:

You can do this! Since you’re over 18 (that’s a legal requirement), you’ve probably already tackled much more complex challenges.

The great thing about weddings is you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. All you need to do is be a good communicator, willing to learn some new skills, and be sensitive to the desires of the couple.

Good luck and have a great ceremony!