Please review these terms carefully before using our services.
Last updated: March 2026
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) are a legally binding agreement between you (“you,” “your,” or “User”) and Church of Pride LLC (“Church of Pride,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), a limited liability company. Throughout these Terms, references to “Church of Pride” mean Church of Pride LLC and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, affiliates, and successors.
By accessing, browsing, or using the Church of Pride website (“Site”) or by purchasing any product or service (“Services”), you agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy (below), and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must immediately stop using the Site and Services.
These Terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the Site or Services, including participants in the Bishop affiliate program.
Church of Pride LLC is a for-profit religious organization that provides online ordination of ministers under our Statement of Beliefs. Our Services include, but are not limited to: online ordination, digital certificate issuance, physical minister identification cards, AI-assisted content features, affiliate programs, and any other products, services, or features we may offer now or in the future.
Upon completing the ordination form, affirming our tenets, and submitting payment, you will receive a digital certificate of ordination as a minister of Church of Pride LLC. This ordination is intended to authorize the bearer to perform wedding ceremonies in accordance with applicable laws. We believe our ordinations are legally valid under First Amendment protections and established case law (including Universal Life Church v. Utah, 2002), but requirements vary by jurisdiction — please check your state and county requirements before officiating.
To use our Services, you must be at least 18 years of age (or the age of legal majority in your jurisdiction, whichever is greater) and must certify your agreement with our Statement of Beliefs. By completing the ordination form, you represent and warrant that: (a) all information you provide is accurate and truthful; (b) you have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms; and (c) you are not prohibited by law from receiving our Services.
BEFORE YOU PURCHASE, BEFORE YOU OFFICIATE, AND BEFORE YOU RELY ON YOUR ORDINATION FOR ANY PURPOSE: YOU MUST CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS. MARRIAGE LAWS, OFFICIANT REQUIREMENTS, REGISTRATION OBLIGATIONS, AND CEREMONY REGULATIONS VARY SIGNIFICANTLY BY STATE, COUNTY, MUNICIPALITY, AND COUNTRY. IT IS SOLELY YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RESEARCH, UNDERSTAND, AND COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL, AND INTERNATIONAL LAWS.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU: (1) VISIT YOUR county clerk's page on our site TO REVIEW YOUR STATE AND COUNTY REQUIREMENTS; (2) CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE DIRECTLY TO CONFIRM THEY WILL ACCEPT A CHURCH OF PRIDE ORDINATION CERTIFICATE BY NAME; AND (3) IF NECESSARY, CONSULT A LICENSED ATTORNEY BEFORE PERFORMING ANY MARRIAGE CEREMONY.
We believe our ordinations are legally valid under First Amendment protections and established case law. Online ordination has been broadly upheld by U.S. courts, including in Universal Life Church v. Utah (2002). However, Church of Pride LLC makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee that ordination through our organization will be accepted or recognized by any specific jurisdiction, government office, county clerk, or other authority. We do not provide legal advice.
We have compiled state-by-state and county-level guides to help you understand local requirements, but these guides are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current laws.
IF YOUR LOCAL COUNTY CLERK OR GOVERNMENT OFFICE DOES NOT ACCEPT YOUR CHURCH OF PRIDE CERTIFICATE, WE WILL REFUND YOUR ORDINATION FEE IN FULL — NO QUESTIONS ASKED. SEE SECTION 5 BELOW. THIS REFUND IS YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY, AND OUR MAXIMUM LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY REASON SHALL NOT EXCEED $20.
By accepting these Terms, you acknowledge and agree that: (a) you have had the opportunity to review your local requirements before purchasing; (b) Church of Pride LLC shall not be held liable for any consequences arising from your failure to comply with applicable laws; and (c) Church of Pride LLC shall not be held liable for any jurisdiction's refusal to recognize your ordination, beyond the refund described above.
The ordination fee is $20 USD, charged as a one-time payment. Payment is processed securely through Stripe. Your ordination is valid for life with no recurring fees. Other Services (such as physical ID cards) may be priced separately as listed on the Site at the time of purchase.
Clerk Rejection — No-Questions-Asked Refund: If a government clerk, county office, or other official authority refuses to accept your Church of Pride ordination certificate for the purpose of officiating a marriage ceremony, you may request a full refund of your ordination fee by contacting us at hello@churchofpride.com. (We recommend checking your local requirements before purchasing to avoid this situation.) We will process the refund promptly, no questions asked. This guarantee applies to the ordination fee only and does not apply to other products or services such as physical ID cards.
Other Refund Requests: Because ordination certificates are delivered digitally and instantaneously, refund requests outside of the clerk rejection scenario above are handled at our sole discretion. If you experience a technical issue that prevents you from receiving your certificate, please contact us at hello@churchofpride.com and we will work to resolve the issue.
Your ordination certificate is provided as a digital PDF document sent to the email address you provide at the time of purchase. It is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the information you submit, including the spelling of your legal name. Replacement certificates may be requested by email at no additional charge.
Certain features of our Services use artificial intelligence (“AI”) to generate or modify content, including but not limited to minister biographies and ID card portraits. AI-generated content is provided “as is” for your convenience and personal use. You acknowledge that AI-generated content may contain inaccuracies and that you are solely responsible for reviewing, editing, and approving any AI-generated content before use. Church of Pride LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any particular purpose of AI-generated content.
Participation in the Bishop affiliate program is subject to these Terms as well as any additional guidelines we provide. Church of Pride LLC reserves the right to modify commission structures, payout schedules, eligibility requirements, or to suspend or discontinue the program at any time, with or without notice. Commissions are earned only on completed, non-refunded ordination purchases. We reserve the right to withhold or reclaim commissions earned through fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive referral activity.
By using our Services, you consent to receive electronic communications from us, including but not limited to: ordination certificates, transactional emails, service updates, and (if you opt in) newsletter communications. You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications we provide electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.
All content on this Site, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of Church of Pride LLC or its content suppliers and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any content on this Site without our express written permission. Your ordination certificate is provided for your personal use and may be reproduced solely for the purpose of presenting your credentials to authorized officials.
THE SITE AND SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CHURCH OF PRIDE LLC DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. CHURCH OF PRIDE LLC DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SITE OR SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. CHURCH OF PRIDE LLC DOES NOT WARRANT OR GUARANTEE THAT YOUR ORDINATION WILL BE ACCEPTED OR RECOGNIZED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY, COUNTY CLERK, OR OTHER OFFICIAL BODY.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CHURCH OF PRIDE LLC, ITS MEMBERS, MANAGERS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF (OR INABILITY TO USE) THE SITE OR SERVICES, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STATUTE, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, EVEN IF CHURCH OF PRIDE LLC HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
In no event shall Church of Pride LLC's total aggregate liability to you for all claims arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Site, or the Services exceed twenty dollars ($20.00 USD). This limitation applies regardless of the form of action, whether in contract, tort, strict liability, or otherwise, and even if a remedy set forth herein is found to have failed its essential purpose.
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Church of Pride LLC and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, affiliates, and successors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs) arising out of or related to: (a) your use of the Site or Services; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any applicable law or regulation; (d) your officiating of any ceremony; (e) any content you submit or generate through our Services; or (f) your infringement of any third-party rights.
PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY — IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT AND TO HAVE A JURY TRIAL.
Informal Resolution First: Before initiating any arbitration or legal proceeding, you agree to first contact us at hello@churchofpride.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least thirty (30) days. Most concerns can be resolved quickly and amicably this way.
Binding Arbitration: If we cannot resolve a dispute informally, any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services — including the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate — shall be resolved through final and binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator and shall take place in the state in which Church of Pride LLC maintains its principal place of business, or at your election, by telephone or online videoconference. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Small Claims Exception: Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may bring an individual action in small claims court for disputes within that court's jurisdictional amount.
Arbitration Fees: If your claim is for $75 or less, Church of Pride LLC will pay all arbitration filing and administration fees. For claims above $75, filing fees shall be allocated in accordance with AAA rules.
YOU AND CHURCH OF PRIDE LLC AGREE THAT EACH PARTY MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, REPRESENTATIVE, OR CONSOLIDATED ACTION.
Unless both you and Church of Pride LLC agree in writing, no arbitrator or judge may consolidate more than one person's claims or otherwise preside over any form of a representative, class, or collective proceeding. The arbitrator may award relief only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by that party's individual claim. If this class action waiver is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of the arbitration provision in Section 14 shall be null and void (but the remaining Terms shall remain in effect).
YOU HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS.
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. To the extent that litigation is permitted under these Terms, you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in Marin County, California.
Church of Pride LLC reserves the right to modify, update, or replace these Terms at any time at its sole discretion. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the Site, with an updated “Last updated” date. Your continued use of the Site or Services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If we make material changes, we will make reasonable efforts to notify you (such as by posting a notice on the Site or sending an email). We encourage you to review these Terms periodically. If you do not agree with any updated Terms, you must stop using the Site and Services.
Church of Pride LLC reserves the right to terminate or suspend your ordination status, access to the Site, and/or participation in any programs (including the Bishop affiliate program) at its sole discretion, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including but not limited to conduct that we determine violates these Terms, is harmful to other users, is fraudulent or deceptive, or is otherwise objectionable. Upon termination, your right to use the Site and Services will immediately cease.
Church of Pride LLC shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, government actions, war, terrorism, labor disputes, power or internet outages, or failures of third-party service providers.
If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, or if modification is not possible, it shall be severed from these Terms. The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions, which shall continue in full force and effect.
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other legal notices published on the Site, constitute the entire agreement between you and Church of Pride LLC regarding your use of the Site and Services, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, representations, and understandings. No waiver of any provision of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such provision or any other provision.
The following sections shall survive any termination or expiration of these Terms: Sections 4 (Legal Compliance), 5 (Payment and Refund Policy), 7 (AI-Generated Content), 10 (Intellectual Property), 11 (Disclaimer of Warranties), 12 (Limitation of Liability), 13 (Indemnification), 14 (Dispute Resolution), 15 (Class Action and Jury Trial Waiver), 16 (Governing Law), 20 (Severability), 21 (Entire Agreement), and this Section 22 (Survival).
You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Church of Pride LLC. Church of Pride LLC may freely assign or transfer these Terms, in whole or in part, without restriction and without notice to you. This provides us with the flexibility to restructure, sell, or merge our business in the future.
Church of Pride LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using our Site or Services, you agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described below.
We collect the information you provide when completing the ordination form, including your full name, email address, state, and country. We also collect standard technical information such as IP address, browser type, and device information through our hosting platform. We understand that ordination through Church of Pride may reflect personal beliefs and values. We treat this information with the care and sensitivity it deserves.
We use your personal information to: process your ordination and deliver your certificate; respond to your inquiries; facilitate certificate retrieval (if you opt in); send newsletter communications (if you opt in); administer the Bishop affiliate program; generate AI-assisted content you request (such as biographies or portrait edits); prevent fraud and abuse; comply with legal obligations; and improve our Services. We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes.
Payment processing is handled entirely by Stripe, Inc. Church of Pride LLC does not store, access, or process your credit card or bank account information. Your name, email, and order details are stored in Stripe's systems as part of the transaction record. For details on how Stripe handles your payment data, please refer to Stripe's privacy policy.
After completing your ordination, you may opt in to “easy certificate retrieval,” which allows you to request that your certificate be re-sent to your email address at any time. If you enable this feature, anyone who enters your email address on our retrieval page can trigger a certificate email to that address. No ordination information is displayed in the browser — the certificate is only sent to the email on file. You can disable this feature at any time by contacting us at hello@churchofpride.com. This feature is enabled by default; you may disable it during checkout.
We use third-party services to operate Church of Pride. These providers process data on our behalf and are bound by their own privacy policies. Our current known providers include, but are not limited to:
Stripe, Inc. — payment processing. Resend — transactional email delivery (certificate emails, contact form messages). Supabase — database hosting and storage (your ordination records). Vercel — website hosting, deployment, and edge network. OpenAI — AI-assisted content generation (biographies and portrait editing, only when you use these features). Cloudflare — bot protection and security. InstantCard — physical ID card printing and fulfillment (only when you order an ID card).
We may add, remove, or change third-party service providers at any time as needed to operate and improve our Services. We will update this list periodically, but it may not reflect every provider at all times. All data is currently stored and processed within the United States.
We retain your ordination records for the purpose of verifying ordination status and issuing replacement certificates. You may request deletion of your data by contacting us at hello@churchofpride.com. Upon receiving a verified deletion request, we will delete your personal data within 30 days, subject to any legal obligations we may have to retain certain records. Please note that deleting your data may result in the revocation of your ordination status.
We transmit all data over encrypted HTTPS connections and store ordination records in a database with row-level security enabled. Access to your data is restricted to authorized systems only. While no system can guarantee absolute security, we implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information.
In the unlikely event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify affected users via email within 72 hours of discovering the breach, consistent with applicable law.
Church of Pride LLC does not sell your personal information, nor do we share it with third parties for cross-context behavioral advertising. We have not sold or shared personal information in the preceding 12 months. Because we do not sell or share personal information, there is no need to opt out — but if you have questions, contact us at hello@churchofpride.com.
Depending on your location, you may have the right to: request access to the personal data we hold about you; request correction of inaccurate data; request deletion of your data; request a portable copy of your data; and opt out of any future sale or sharing of your data (though we do not engage in these activities). To exercise any of these rights, email us at hello@churchofpride.com. We will respond within 45 days. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.
For purposes of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and similar state laws, we collect the following categories of personal information: identifiers (name, email address); geolocation data (state and country); commercial information (purchase records); and internet or other electronic network activity (IP address, browser type, interaction with our Site). We collect this information directly from you when you complete the ordination form or use our Services. We use this information for the business purposes described in “How We Use Your Information” above.
Church of Pride does not use advertising cookies or third-party tracking pixels. We use Cloudflare Turnstile for bot protection, which may set functional cookies. Our hosting provider (Vercel) may collect standard server logs including IP address, browser type, and request timestamps for the purpose of operating and securing the website. We do not use this information for advertising or profiling.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on the Site with a revised “Last updated” date. Your continued use of the Site or Services after the updated Privacy Policy is posted constitutes your acceptance of the changes.
For questions about these Terms or our Privacy Policy, please contact us at hello@churchofpride.com.