Once you find a church whose message resonates with you, seek out senior members of the church and speak to them about ordination via seminary school. Most seminaries have an established history with particular denominations, so senior members can guide you toward a school that will be the best fit for your beliefs. If you’d rather seek out a school on your own, using an online search tool can be helpful in narrowing down potential options. It’s worth noting that California accepts ordinations from institutions across the United States for the purpose of conducting a marriage ceremony, so your choice of school need not be dependent on that.
Typical application steps include an essay detailing your interest in seminary school, letters of recommendation from pastors or spiritual mentors, and an interview process with school officials.
Understand that some churches may require you to complete a trial period in a lessor leadership role, though this requirement will vary by organization. Upon successful completion of this process, you will be given the title of ordained minister.
Some charge an annual fee or a sign up fee for new members seeking to become ministers. Others offer ordination for free, but charge for official documentation confirming your status as an ordained minister. Take some time to research these costs before choosing an organization to join.
While many other states require ministers to register with the local government before performing weddings, California does not. [4] X Research source However, it is recommended that you have a copy of your minister license in case the county clerk does contact you later to verify your status.
