How to get Ordained in Alabama to Officiate
Written and reviewed by the wedding law liaison team at the Universal Life Church.
Welcome to the Alabama marriage laws guide! Officiating a wedding is an incredible honor, but presiding also comes with plenty of responsibility - which is why we have prepared this comprehensive guide to help you along the way. We'll explain how to become a wedding minister, how to marry someone, and give you all of the tools necessary to make the wedding ceremony legal in Alabama. Useful for both couples and ministers, following these step-by-step instructions will ensure everything goes according to plan on the big day.
Here are the steps one must follow to officiate a wedding:
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Getting Ordained in Alabama
Legally licensed ministers of the ULC perform countless marriages in Alabama each year. If you haven't already done so, the first step is to become a marriage officiant with the Universal Life Church. Unlike most religious organizations, our online ordination process is quick, easy, and completely free. Once you have your minister license in hand, officiating a wedding is right around the corner! Click the ordination link below to begin.
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How Do You Perform a Wedding in Alabama
Next, you'll need to contact the marriage licensing office in the county where the wedding will take place. Identify yourself as a minister and inquire about what documents the officials will need to see from you. You may be asked to show a number of items to verify your ordination status. Be aware, however, that these requirements often vary from county to county (which is why it's best to contact officials beforehand). Any documents or materials you might require are available in the Minister Store here on our website.
Select a county to see contact information for each office:
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Alabama Wedding Officiant Requirements
Once you have taken the time to speak with a county marriage official, go back to our site, log in to your account, and obtain the required materials. In order to ensure compliance, most ULC ministers in Alabama choose to order a Classic Wedding Set and add an Official Letter of Good Standing.
In general, ministers are not required to register on a state level in Alabama. That being said, county marriage officials have been known to request proof of ordination before giving the "go-ahead" to perform marriage ceremonies. It also gives the couple peace of mind to know that their wedding minister has all the official documents, such as the ordination certificate, on hand. We recommend ordering your materials well in advance of the ceremony to avoid unexpected hiccups.
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How to Get an Alabama Marriage License
Alabama's Top Wedding Venue
Gabrella ManorIn Alabama, marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk's office. Although it will be the couple's job to get the license, it's the minister's responsibility to understand the rules governing marriage licenses in Alabama and its specific counties. Let's say, for example, that the couple is planning to get a Jefferson County marriage license. As the minister, you should check and see if there are any special regulations in Jefferson County that the couple may be unaware of.
In Alabama, marriage licenses are valid for 30 days. Note that there is no mandatory waiting period - meaning the ceremony can be legally performed as soon as the license is received. Once the ceremony has been completed, the signed marriage license must be returned to this issuing office before expiration.
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How Do You Officiate a Wedding?
Once all the paperwork is in order, you're ready to perform the wedding! If you need any guidance in this area, don't hesitate to utilize the tools found below. These carefully-tailored resources provide helpful tips and information on all aspects of performing a wedding ceremony. Constructed with our wedding officiants in mind, they contain everything you'll need to plan the perfect ceremony.
Many ULC ministers have used these resources as guidance when becoming professional officiants!
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Signing the Marriage License in Alabama
The last and final step - After you have performed the wedding, you will need to sign the marriage license along with the couple. Your official title is "Minister"; for the ceremony type, put "Religious"; for denomination you will write "Non-Denominational".
If the license prompts you to list an address of ministry, provide your personal ministry or home address. Do not put the address of the ULC headquarters. Lastly, make sure that the license is turned in to the county clerk's office before the deadline!
Alabama Marriage Laws
Alabama marriage laws are governed by Section 30-1 of the state code. This section shows which persons are legally authorized to officiate weddings in the State of Alabama. Among those with authorization are ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church. The relevant section is displayed below:
Section 30-1-9 Marriage not to be solemnized without license; issuance, effect and duration of license; solemnization of marriage when license void. No marriage shall be solemnized without a license. Marriage licenses may be issued by the judges of probate of the several counties. The license is an authority to anyone qualified to solemnize marriage to join together in matrimony the persons therein named.
View the Alabama Statutes on the official government state website.
Is it Legal For You to Perform a Alabama Wedding?
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