Reliable online places to get ordained

Celia might have the answer.

I know I'm ordained through Universal Life Church.

You need to make sure that your state accepts this type of ordination and if there are any additional steps that your friend must take in order to marry you. Some states will not accept these credentials as valid (I *think* Virginia may be one but can't think of any others off the top of my head.

I used this site for my ordination and my sister's ordination (she married me and my husband): https://www.themonastery.org/

and had no issues in New York State.

I had to register with the city in order to marry my friends, though, as the ceremony was performed in Brooklyn.

Hire a professional. Why leave the most important part of your wedding to someone who doesn't even know if the marriage will be legal??

For what it's worth, unless your friend is an excellent performer and able to parse through the required steps, it might be best to hire a professional.

(My wedding and the wedding I ministered were absolutely fabulous, so it really depends on this friend of yours.)

While I completely agree with Celia, I can say that the Universal Life Church is legit. They've been around since at least the 70s, as both my father and his brother are/were ordained through them. In fact, my uncle officiated for my parents and my dad performed the same for my aunt and uncle.

That being said, it isn't just about who knows you, as a good, pro officiant will take the time to do so. It is a matter of do you want the only actual reason for your guests to be there (the marriage ceremony, not the party) to be professional and well thought out, or do you want it to be awkward and potentially embarrassing?

The online 'ordination' sites require only a credit card number.

I think it was Rev. April who had her basset hound 'ordained' online. He's still in good standing although he died several years ago.

I had my grandfather get ordained through the Universal Life church and perform my first wedding. It was really special.

Thank you everyone, I really appreciate it!! My FH was ordained a few years ago and performed our good friend's wedding ceremony, but he couldn't remember exactly where he got his certification. After seeing Universal Life Church, it jogged his memory and realized that what he used before.

We have done the research for our state (Maryland) and have figured out what we need to do to make it legal. Thankfully Maryland is pretty easy to work with when it comes to being "official"!