Frequently Asked Questions

In most U.S. jurisdictions, an ordained minister of the Church of Pride may officiate legally binding marriages. However, marriage laws vary by state, county, and city. Some jurisdictions require ministers to register locally, obtain court authorization, or provide additional documentation such as a notarized letter of good standing. Tennessee currently does not recognize online ordination for solemnizing marriages. We strongly encourage you to check with the county clerk's office where the ceremony will take place to understand the specific requirements before officiating.

Not at all. Church of Pride welcomes everyone — LGBTQIA2+ individuals and allies alike. The only requirement is that you affirm our values of love, inclusion, and dignity for all people. Many of our ministers are straight allies who got ordained because they wanted to support their friends, family, or community.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Fill out the form, complete the $20 payment, and your ordination certificate will be emailed to you instantly. There's no coursework, no waiting period, and no interview.

No. Your ordination with the Church of Pride is valid for life. There are no annual fees, renewal requirements, or recurring charges of any kind. Pay once, and you're ordained forever.

Yes. As an ordained minister of the Church of Pride, you can officiate weddings for any couple — regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, or background. There are no restrictions on who you can marry.

You'll receive a personalized PDF certificate of ordination emailed to the address you provide. This certificate includes your full legal name, the date of your ordination, and your unique ordination number. You can print it, frame it, or present it to local authorities as needed. Please note that some county clerks may require additional documents, such as a notarized letter of good standing, before authorizing you to officiate. We recommend contacting the clerk's office where the wedding will take place to confirm what documents they accept.

It depends on where you plan to officiate. Some states and counties require ordained ministers to register before performing marriages, while others do not. For example, New York City requires online-ordained ministers to register with the NYC Clerk Marriage Bureau. Virginia requires court approval before officiating. It is your responsibility to research and comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. We recommend contacting your county clerk's office as a first step.

Most states recognize online ordination, but there are notable exceptions and extra requirements. Tennessee: current state law prohibits persons receiving online ordinations from solemnizing marriages. Hawaii: requires all marriage performers to be licensed through a state system with stated fees. District of Columbia: requires court authorization and notarized officiant applications. West Virginia: has a state registry process for religious representatives administered by the Secretary of State. New York City: requires officiants to register with the City Clerk. Virginia: requires ministers to obtain a circuit court order before officiating. Massachusetts: has a clergy filing process through the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The single most important step is to contact the county clerk's office where the wedding will take place — they are the final authority on what documentation is required.

Church of Pride is a for-profit religious organization. We don't prescribe a theology, require worship, or ask you to adopt any particular beliefs beyond a commitment to love and inclusion. We exist to provide an affirming, accessible path to ordination — especially for those who don't feel represented by traditional religious institutions.

Marriage laws vary significantly by country. While our ordination is recognized within the United States, international recognition depends on the laws of the specific country where the ceremony takes place. If you plan to officiate abroad, we recommend consulting with local legal authorities in that country well in advance of the wedding.

No problem. Just reach out to us at hello@churchofpride.com with your name and the email you used when you were ordained, and we'll send you a replacement certificate at no charge.

Absolutely. Many of our ministers officiate weddings professionally and charge for their services. Your ordination through Church of Pride is your credential — how you use it is entirely up to you. Whether you officiate for free for friends or build a business around it, that's your call.

Yes. We process all payments through Stripe, one of the world's most trusted payment platforms. We never see or store your credit card information. Stripe handles all payment security and is PCI-DSS compliant.

Because ordination is delivered digitally and instantly, all sales are final once the certificate has been issued. We will issue a full refund in the following cases: (a) you did not receive your certificate due to a technical error, (b) you were charged more than once for the same ordination (duplicate charge), or (c) your certificate contains a spelling error in your legal name and we are unable to correct it. To request a refund, contact hello@churchofpride.com within 30 days of purchase with your ordination details.

After getting ordained, the general process is: (1) Check with the county clerk's office where the wedding will be held to understand local requirements. (2) Register if your jurisdiction requires it. (3) Ensure the couple has obtained their marriage license. (4) Perform the ceremony, which must include a declaration of intent (the vows) and a pronouncement of marriage. (5) Ensure all required parties sign the marriage license. (6) File or return the signed marriage license to the appropriate government office within the timeframe required by your jurisdiction — deadlines vary by state, so confirm with the local clerk.