Well, for the Universal Life Church, it's basically "Sign up and you're in." If you want fancy certificates, you shoot them a little cash. They'll even provide a certified letter of good standing if you need one for where you are.
No guidelines or requirements, though they do suggest bunches of things.
All the laws are up to the recipient to find out about and jump through the hoops for. NYC, for example, needs that certified letter of good standing. The hunk of NY where I'll be performing a ceremony? They apparently don't need anything.
I've been a minister since the early 90's, I don't remember the date of my ordination, but I was granted an honorary doctor of divinity in '94 for helping them with an event they were working on. I am performing two weddings next month myself. Since the rules regarding marriage are different from state to state the ULC had an electronic document with some of the regulations listed on one of their websites.... I know a few from memory
( ... )
According to what I read, I'd have to check with the county to see their rules.
County Clerk told me to call the Town Clerk where the wedding was going on.
The person who answered at the Town Clerk's office told me to call the county. The second person I talked to at the Town Clerk's office told me I didn't need to do anything special.
I have a sneaking suspicion that they really don't know what they're talking about and will be digging a bit more on my own to make sure everything is in order. :)
Technically, ULC is not recognized for purposes of marriage officiation in VA, hence the bonding requirement. Anyone can be an officiant in VA if they present a bond, clergy or not.
VA law requires that, in order to be recognized clergy, one must have a clear demarcation between clergy and parishioner. In ULC there is no congregation, as all are ministers. Therefore, they do not meet VA legal standards for marriage officiants.
Rev. Dr. Recalcitrant Toy, D.Div, Esq. M.O.U.S.E :-)
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No guidelines or requirements, though they do suggest bunches of things.
All the laws are up to the recipient to find out about and jump through the hoops for. NYC, for example, needs that certified letter of good standing. The hunk of NY where I'll be performing a ceremony? They apparently don't need anything.
Buddy of mine answered a few questions down the page in this comment: http://american-arcane.livejournal.com/655053.html?thread=2279373#t2279373
And thanks. :)
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VA doesn't accept ULC? That's odd as I'm pretty sure I know people who've done weddings down there (one of whom commented below: http://american-arcane.livejournal.com/655053.html?thread=2279373#t2279373).
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Are you a certified mohle, too? Or does that get too much into dangly bits? :)
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According to what I read, I'd have to check with the county to see their rules.
County Clerk told me to call the Town Clerk where the wedding was going on.
The person who answered at the Town Clerk's office told me to call the county. The second person I talked to at the Town Clerk's office told me I didn't need to do anything special.
I have a sneaking suspicion that they really don't know what they're talking about and will be digging a bit more on my own to make sure everything is in order. :)
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VA law requires that, in order to be recognized clergy, one must have a clear demarcation between clergy and parishioner. In ULC there is no congregation, as all are ministers. Therefore, they do not meet VA legal standards for marriage officiants.
Rev. Dr. Recalcitrant Toy, D.Div, Esq. M.O.U.S.E :-)
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