Online Ordination

Does anyone have any experience with this? My fiance and I are having a friend marry us, and the site I've been using to research information (http://www.ulc.org) makes it seem extremely easy. In fact, it's so easy that I don't trust it, but I haven't found any information elsewhere to verify it.

According to their site, in Maryland, the rules are as follows:

A marriage ceremony may be performed in this State by:

(i) any official of a religious order or body authorized by the rules and customs of that order or body to perform a marriage ceremony;

Is it really that simple? Are there specific rules by county? Any help would be much appreciated.

I know a guy who's a legitimate religious leader in Virginia who got ordained to do a wedding, and he had to appear before a judge and attest that he actually had a congregation and that it wasn't one of those things where "everyone is a minister" and stuff like that. Of course, that's Virginia…

Actually, it's easier than that in Virginia. Friends just got married and one of our friends got "ordained" to make it legal. All he had to do is go to the County courthouse, compelte a quick form, get it signed, and he was able to legally perform the ceremony. The certificate is good for one day only. He didn't need to attest to anything, other than his name and U.S. residency.

Not sure that helps for Maryland, but it can be really easy.

according to maryland code:

§ 2-406. Performance of ceremony.

(a) Authorized officials.-

(1) In this subsection, "judge" means:

(i) a judge of the District Court, a circuit court, the Court of Special Appeals, or the Court of Appeals;

(ii) a judge approved under Article IV, § 3A of the Maryland Constitution and § 1-302 of the Courts Article for recall and assignment to the District Court, a circuit court, the Court of Special Appeals, or the Court of Appeals;

(iii) a judge of a United States District Court or a United States Court of Appeals; or

(iv) a judge of a state court if the judge is active or retired but eligible for recall.

(2) A marriage ceremony may be performed in this State by:

(i) any official of a religious order or body authorized by the rules and customs of that order or body to perform a marriage ceremony;

(ii) any clerk;

(iii) any deputy clerk designated by the county administrative judge of the circuit court for the county; or

(iv) a judge.

if you are unsure, i'd check with the county courthouse.

Originally posted by Arlette:
Actually, it's easier than that in Virginia. Friends just got married and one of our friends got "ordained" to make it legal. All he had to do is go to the County courthouse, compelte a quick form, get it signed, and he was able to legally perform the ceremony. The certificate is good for one day only. He didn't need to attest to anything, other than his name and U.S. residency.

Oh, well my guy was getting a permanent license so maybe that's why he had to go through a bigger rigamarole…

Don't invite Lulu to the wedding.

Is that for fear that she's get drunk and smash up the place, or fear she'd actually say something up during the "speak now or forever hold your peace" bit?

Originally posted by vansmack:
Don't invite Lulu to the wedding.

Seriuosly though, it looks like you should talk to these people (who look recognized in MD):

Glen Burnie Universal Life Church
7310 Ritchie Hwy,
Glen Burnie, MD 21061

or

Universal Life Church
Mechanicsville, MD
301.884.2322

And it looks like this guy did it in Maryland. And so did this guy.

And this lady was also ordained, of course she claims to be a Christian Witch too.

Consuella Moore
Ordained: 2004-03-24
Oxon Hill,Maryland 20745

Originally posted by nkotBaba:
Is that for fear that she's get drunk and smash up the place, or fear she'd actually say something up during the "speak now or forever hold your peace" bit?

I can guarantee you both.

Of course, at the last wedding I attended, that question was never asked, which bummed me out because I like to go into my coughing fit at that moment.