Can anyone officiate a wedding in Washington state? Here are the rules
As the start of wedding season approaches, couples need to make sure everything is in order.
That includes choosing flower arrangements, hiring a caterer, settling on a seating arrangement — and, of course, picking an officiant.
“Being asked to officiate a wedding is a huge honor, but — make no mistake — it’s also a huge responsibility,” Universal Life Church said on its website.
Can anyone officiate a wedding in Washington state? What are the rules?
Here’s what to know:
Who’s allowed to officiate a wedding in Washington state?
Under Washington state law, “any regularly licensed or ordained minister or any priest, imam, rabbi, or similar official of any religious organization” can officiate a wedding.
Active and retired judges and justices are also authorized to solemnize marriages in Washington state — declaring couples legally wed.
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How do you become an ordained minister?
Anyone 18 or older can become an ordained minister, according to American Marriage Ministrations, a nonprofit, nondenominational church.
“Wedding officiants in Washington are not required to register with any government office” prior to performing a marriage ceremony, American Marriage Ministries said.
According to Universal Life Church, you should follow these steps before leading a marriage ceremony:
- Get ordained online for free
- Check county marriage laws
- Get proof of ordination
What’s makes a marriage legal?
In order for the marriage to be considered legally binding certain things must happen before, during and after the ceremony.
First, the couple being married need to apply for a marriage license, according to Brides magazine.
During the wedding ceremony, the couple must make it clear they’re entering the marriage “willingly and with consent,” according to The Knot.
“The declaration of intent in a wedding ceremony is the part where the couple confirms that they do indeed want to marry each other,” wedding attorney Weinberg told The Knot in September. “It’s the moment in a ceremony where the officiant asks a question and the couple responds with: ‘I do.’ ”
After the ceremony, the couple needs to sign the marriage license.
“Whoever legally performed your ceremony — whether it was a judge, a religious leader, or a friend ordained for the day — must also sign the license,” Brides said.
Two witnesses also need to “physically present” to watch the couple sign the marriage license, then sign it themselves, according to Brides.
“It’s the officiant’s responsibility to return the marriage license to the county clerk, either by mail or in person,” Brides said.
How much does it cost to get ordained?
While most websites don’t charge people to become ordained ministers, some offer training packages for newly ordained people.
For example, American Marriage Ministries sells a Signature Wedding Officiant Package for $99 that includes the following:
- A copy of the minister’s manual
- An ordination certificate
- A letter of good standing
- A certificate holder
- Minister licensing instructions
- Minister licensing application materials
- A “Getting Started” information kit
This story was originally published February 1, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Can anyone officiate a wedding in Washington state? Here are the rules."