PSA: PLEASE don't have your marriage performed by a friend ordained online!

Depending on the state, many accept online ordination, and some don't. In Virginia, online ordination is not accepted. At first, I thought we would have to pay at least $500 for a wedding minister authorized in Virginia. Then I googled online ordination alternative and found ministries that cooperate with regular churches who issue ordinations accepted in Virginia. For a reasonable fee, My best friend received her ordination and Virginia authorization, and can do my wedding, and all the weddings she wants in Virginia.

The lawyers have valid points. In Virginia, online ordination is no longer accepted. Virginia couples' are now using local churches to issue their ordinations, since local churches are not blacklisted as all online ordinations are. In planning my wedding, I

googled online ordination alternative, and found Holy Life and Marriage Ministerial Services. They network with local churches who provide ordination services that are accepted by Virginia. Don't wait till the last minute, or you will be paying $500 or more for a Virginia authorized wedding minister.

I strongly recommend that one check with the marriage laws of the state where the marriage will take place - there is a lot of false information from both sides, never trust completely those who say nay or those who say yah - On-line ordinations ARE LEGAL in every state except Virginia and Pennsylvania, and even there one will find exceptions which allow registration and legal recognition of online ordinations - some States, Counties, and Municipalities may add requirements, such as registration of all ministers or officiants, some do not, in fact several States simply require the marraiage officiant register with the city or county clerk and that be noted with the wedding licensce application - it's usually quite easy to check local requirements and should be done by both those to be wed and those who will officiate - here is one link to aid in checking those requirements - always check with local officials as well -

http://www.open-ministry.org/state-marriage-laws.php

It does vary state-to-state. PA even has an OLD law on the books that you can perform the wedding yourself. Old Quaker law. My coworker did it.

That being said, PA law states * There are no state laws requiring the registration of ministers, however in the past county registrars have asked our ministers to present proof of ordination.

When you ask at Town Hall if online ordinations are legal, most of the clerks on Long Island

will tell you to consult your lawyer. Truth be told you could get the license, fill it out yourselves

at home on the kitchen table, and then mail it back and you would get a certificate of marriage from the state. Nobody checks in Nassau and Suffolk, so everything does get processed. However, there are cases in New York State where couples have been declared never legally married because Internet ordained clergy, did not meet our states criteria. Asking the ULC if it's ok is like asking Phillip Morris if cigarettes are bad for you. If you call several town halls and ask for more details, the variation of answers and refusal to give a tes or no is quite upsetting. But my advice is to do just that and then make your own decission. Here are a list of numbers. http://www.churchofancientways.org/clerks.html

Having a wedding officiated by whoever you want is great, check out this loving option: Become a Reiki Priest/ess of Love - http://www.reikitemple.org/get-ordained-online/