| 1. What do I need to Solemnize or Perform a Wedding? |
Most states will require that you register with the County Clerk or the local Agency that records marriages in the county before you can perform or solemnize the ceremony.
Visit our State Marriage & Wedding Laws for more information.
Every county has different requirements for the minister to register, many states require that you have a live signed and notarized Letter of Good Standing and Ordination Credential as proof of your ordination with our ministry. |
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| 2. Is this Legal? Can I legally perform a Wedding? |
Yes, 100% legal in every state.
Our ministers have the same powers and rights as ANY ordained clergy. Our church can ordain you as a minister for religious ceremonies, weddings and all other sacerdotal rites.
Marriage laws vary by state; and county to county. It is important to know the ministerial requirements set forth by the state and local government, before you perform the ceremony. Most states and counties require official documentation as proof of your good standing with our church, but your ordination is 100% legal in every state.
Visit our State Marriage & Wedding Laws for more information.
If you have any questions regarding the status of our ordinations, please contact us. |
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| 3. Why does Open Ministry ordain for free when other churches charge for ordinations? |
Open Ministry is a non-profit 501(c)3 religious organization registered with the IRS and the State of California. We are authorized to ordain ministers for solemnizing marriages and other religious rites.
Since we have an established system of ordainment and registration, the cost to maintain your ordination is low, this is why our ministerial products are inexpensive and our ordinations are 100% free and valid for life.
Your help and support is needed; without the support of ministers donating and ordering supplies for their ministry, we would not be able to offer our free services. |
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| 4. How and where do I get Ordained? |
| Visit our Get Ordained Page and follow the instructional steps to become an Ordained Minister with the Open Ministry. Our ordinations are always 100% free and valid in every state for life. |
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| 5. Is my Ordination valid in every state? |
Yes, 100% legal in every state.
Our ministers have the same powers and rights as ANY ordained clergy. Our church can ordain you as a minister for religious ceremonies, weddings and all other sacerdotal rites.
As a fully qualified 501(c)3 non-profit church registered with the State of California and with the IRS, Open Ministry has the right and privilege to ordain you as a minister. Most states will require official documentation as proof of your good standing with our church, but your ordination is 100% legal in every state.
Visit our State Marriage & Wedding Laws for more information.
If you have any questions regarding the status of our ordinations, please contact us. |
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| 6. What documents do I need as a Minister or to Register? |
As an Ordained Minister, for Registration purposes or before you perform a Wedding Ceremony; you should know the following:
Marriage laws vary by state; and county to county. It is important to know the ministerial requirements set forth by the state and local government, before you perform the ceremony. Most counties require your official Credentials of Ministry to register as a wedding officiant and minister. Your credentials are proof of your ordination and good standing with our church for registration and display.
If you are planning to perform a wedding or would like to register in New York City, Las Vegas, Hawaii or West Virginia you will need to have the proper corresponding documentation. These states and city counties require specialized or additional letters for minister registration.
Visit our State Marriage & Wedding Laws for more information. |
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| 7. What is my title once I become Ordained? |
| Once you are Ordained with the Open Ministry you are a "Minister of the Church" and are entitled to place the Reverend before your name or you may use it in its abbreviated form "Rev." |
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| 8. What is the title on my Credentials of Ministry? |
The Ordination Credential and the standard Letters of Good Standing do not include a title before the ministers name. The specialized documents may include Reverend or Rev. before the ministers name (per the State and County requirements).
The Minister Wallet Card includes Rev. before the ministers name. If you wish to have another title, contact us as soon as you have placed an order with your request.
See also Questions: What is my title once I become Ordained? How do I change my address or other account information? & What should I do if my name has changed? |
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| 9. What services can I perform as an Ordained Minister? |
As an Ordained Minister you will hold an official title and be granted all rights and privileges of a minister. You will be authorized to perform all sacerdotal duties of a minister such as: baptisms, marriages, communions, baby-naming ceremonies, funerals, and to conduct religious instruction, spiritual counseling, administering religious organizations, hold worship services, religious meetings and all other rites and services of Clergy.
Visit our State Marriage & Wedding Laws for more information.
See also Question: What are Sacerdotal duties? |
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| 10. What is IRS Tax Code 501(c)3? |
As quoted from the IRS Tax Code;
Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.
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| 11. Where can I get information about Not-For-Profit status? |
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| 12. What does non-denominational mean? |
| By being non-denominational our ministry accepts all people of any religion, belief or faith. We want our ministers to have the freedom of performing weddings and other minister rites no matter what religion the minister accepts. |
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| 13. What are Sacerdotal duties? |
Sacerdotal duties are the spirituality-related work tasks performed by clergy, ministers or other recognized leaders of any religious affiliation. The most common religions today define sacerdotal duties to include performing baptisms, weddings, communions, baby-naming ceremonies, religious instruction, spiritual counseling, administering religious organizations, funerals, and conducting services of worship.
See also Question: What services can I perform as an Ordained Minister? |
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| 14. As a Minister, can I perform a wedding as other clergy do? |
Yes, you can perform all of the usual duties that other clergy do as a minister with the Open Ministry.
Marriage laws vary by state; and county to county. It is important to know the ministerial requirements set forth by the state and local government before you perform the ceremony.
Most states will require official documentation as proof of your good standing with our church. Make sure that you check with your local county clerk or other county official to see is they have any further requirements in your State and County.
Visit our State Marriage & Wedding Laws for more information. |
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| 15. How old do I have to be to become an Ordained Minister? |
Ministers are of all ages, however in most states you cannot officiate a
marriage unless you are at least 18 years old. The legal age may vary in
different states, check your local Marriage Bureau for your State's
requirements.
Visit our State Marriage & Wedding Laws for more information. |
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| 16. Is my Ordination recognized outside of the United States? |
| Our Ordinations are 100% Legal in the United States. Each country treats Ordinations in a different way. For more information, contact a local official of the country you wish to solemnize a marriage in or wish to be recognized as ordained. |
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| 17. I need to request an Official Letter of Good Standing. |
Only registered Ministers of our Ministry may request Letters of Good Standing. If you have not done so Get Ordained for free, then place your request through our minister store, by mail or phone.
See also Questions: How do I place an order by Mail? & How do I place an order by Phone? |
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| 18. I need to obtain an Ordination Credential. |
Only registered Ministers of our Ministry may request Ordination Credentials. If you have not done so Get Ordained for free, then place your request through our minister store, by mail or phone.
See also Questions: How do I place an order by Mail? & How do I place an order by Phone? |
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| 19. Is my Ordination legal in Canada? |
Some Provinces say yes, while others say no.
You may request a Letter of Good Standing to present to the authority in your Province to determine if they recognize your Ordination. Whether you are allowed to officiate weddings is dependent upon the discretion of the Canadian authority. |
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| 20. May I preside over a wedding ceremony outside of my home State? |
Yes, your Ordination is legal in all 50 States, however each state has it's own requirements of whom may solemnize marriages.
Marriage laws vary by state; and county to county. It is important to know the ministerial requirements set forth by the state and local government before you perform the ceremony.
Most states will require official documentation as proof of your good standing with our church. Make sure that you check with your local county clerk or other county official to see is they have any further requirements in your State and County.
Visit our State Marriage & Wedding Laws for more information. |
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| 21. Can I charge for my services as a Minister? |
As an Ordained Minister you can perform all sacerdotal duties of a minister and if you wish you may charge for your services provided.
Our Ordination grants you the full rights and privileges accorded to ministers and priests.
See also Question: What services can I perform as an Ordained Minister? |
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| 22. Regulations by State and County. |
Marriage laws vary by state; and county to county. It is important to know the ministerial requirements set forth by the state and local government.
Most states will require official documentation as proof of your good standing with our church. Make sure that you check with your local county clerk or other county official to see is they have any further requirements in your State and County.
Visit our Complete List of State Marriage & Wedding Laws for more information. |
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| 23. I forgot my password. |
| Forget your password? Don't worry, we can send you a new one.
An automatic email containing a temporary password will be sent to your email. |
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| 24. How do I change my password? |
Login to the website. Once you are logged in: - Click on My Account on the top right of the screen
- Under My Account click on the link "Change my account password"
- Enter your current password (if you did a password reset: the temporary password from the email)
- Enter a new password
- Click the continue button to save changes
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| 25. My login information is not working. |
For all Ordinations we require that you verify your email address and that you activate your account before you can login.
To activate your account:
- Open the welcome email you received during the ordination signup
- There is a direct link to finish the activation process
- Click on the link and follow the onscreen instructions
- Alternatively you can copy your activation code into the "Confirmation Activation Code" box
- Click Continue
- Your account is now active
If it has been longer than 2 hours and you have not received your activation email, please contact us.
See also Questions: I forgot my password. & How do I change my password? |
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| 26. How do I change my address or other account information? |
| To update your information:
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| 27. What should I do if my name has changed? |
If your name has changed, you should login to your account to update your information so that your ordination is correctly recorded in our church registry and directory.
To change your profile:
- Login using your email and password
- Update account information
- Request new Ministry Credentials that will reflect your name change
See also Question: How do I change my address or other account information? |
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| 28. How do I place an order by Mail? |
To order by mail, please create a shopping cart online. Before you checkout print the shopping cart or write down your order information and mail it to us, include a check or money order for the correct amount made payable to Open Ministry.
Mail Orders To:
Open Ministry
PO Box 122990
San Diego CA 92112
As soon as payment has been received, we will ship your order. Please note that ordering by mail can prolong the handling and shipping process by approximately 3-5 business days. |
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| 29. How do I place an order by Phone? |
To order by phone, please call (413) 248-7247 or contact us through our contact form and we will follow up on your request in the order that it was received. Please include: your full name, phone number, date of ordination, and reason for contact on all correspondence.
Contact Information:
Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm (est)
(413) 248-7247 | (413) CHURCH7 |
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| 30. I have not received my order. |
To confirm the delivery time estimate for your order, please visit our Shipping Information.
If you have received a confirmation email, delivery usually takes 3-7 business days (from date order shipped, depending on selected shipping method).
If you have not received your order after 10 business days, please contact us with your full name, order number, and date you ordered so that we may follow up on your request. |
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| 31. I would like to cancel my order or request a refund. |
Due to the customized nature of our products we are unable to accept returns or offer refunds. Please check the details of your order before you Checkout. All sales are final. Shipping and Handling fees are non-refundable. There are no refunds on items damaged in shipping. In the event that your package was damaged in transit, please contact USPS to file a claim.
Visit our Shipping & Returns for more information. |
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| 32. My payment was declined and my order did not process. |
Important information:
- For your security, your Billing Name and Address must match that of the credit card used for payment. We reserve the right to cancel any order that does not match these criteria.
Credit cards accepted:
- MasterCard
- Visa
- American Express
We do not accept:
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