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What Are The Legal Things To Consider

So you have received your ordination and you’re ready to start-up your Church, Spiritual Center or Professional Services Business. Now what? How do you get started and how do you define your practice?

Start with the first step; registering as an ordained minister. Doing that is separate from defining a Church or Business. Each state is different, but you will register yourself as a Minister within the county you live in, or the county you will be practicing your ministry in.

Once you are registered in your county, you are registered for the entire state. But not for any other state. Being a Licensed Minister, authorized to conduct weddings, is a state by state thing. You generally can’t register in a state you don’t have residence in. I am registered in Virginia. But I have a lot of family in North Carolina, friends in Maryland and more family in Tennessee. If I’m asked to officiate a wedding in one of those states or any other state, it’s easy enough to apply for temporary recognition.

Each state allows for temporary registration for a specific day. Usually the day of the wedding and with the county where the wedding is being held. You should do this 10 to 15 days prior to the service, or earlier if possible. Check with the state you’re going to. Some have requirements for when you can or must register. But you don’t want to wait till the wedding arrives and find out you can’t because you waited too long. Continue reading →