Lake Michigan is one of many beautiful settings for a wedding in Wisconsin. If not a resident, you will need a letter of sponsorship to perform a wedding

As a minister ordained online by the Universal Life Church, you need to be aware of the laws governing the jurisdictions in which you will perform rites of the clergy.  While your ordination allows you to preach, baptize, conduct a funeral, christen, and perform a wedding, the latter requires you to complete paperwork.  The state of Wisconsin has a rather unique requirement for out-of-state officiants, and this will guide you through the general process for any state, as well as the special step for performing a wedding in Wisconsin.

Firstly, for every wedding you perform, regardless of the location, you will need to contact the office that is issuing the couple’s marriage license and ask what documentation, if any, is required of you to show your good standing in the church and ability to perform a wedding.  This is a crucial step, as not only can each jurisdiction require altogether different documentation, but rules can be updated since the publishing of any directory you may have referenced either online or in hard copy; always speak with someone at the office.  Once you have obtained said documents, you will need to submit them to register as the wedding officiant for the party.  Registering as an ordained minister must be done in regards to an upcoming wedding; you do not submit ordination credentials or minister’s licenses independently.  Once this is done, perform the ceremony and fill out the part of the marriage license that pertains to you by submitting your home address as the location of the church at which you preach, even as a minister ordained online, do not put the address of the headquarters for the Universal Life Church since you do not conduct services there.  The only exception to putting your home address would be if there is another address at which you regularly conduct services – then you should put the address of that location.  Remember to sign the license before the couple submits it.

Secondly, if you are performing a wedding in Wisconsin and do not reside there, you must obtain a letter of sponsorship from another minister ordained online by the Universal Life Church on church letterhead vouching for your good standing to solemnize marriages.  You can purchase this in the store, but please be aware that it can take up to three weeks for you to receive it after ordering.  The document must be sent from the church headquarters to a minister ordained online in Wisconsin, then on to you so allow for this wait period in planning the event.

Performing a wedding is a very rewarding experience and a wonderful service for the couple.  You can avoid headaches and complications by following this guide.  If you would like to perform a wedding, remember that the first step to register as a wedding officant is to get ordained online.  Best of luck to you and the prospective couples!