How to Get Licensed to Perform a Wedding Ceremony in California
California law doesn't require you to get a special license to officiate weddings. Instead, you must be a minister, an elected official or a judge. No special certification is needed, although the jobs themselves may have education requirements; for example, judge positions require a law degree, and ministers need a degree in seminary studies.
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Become a minister licensed through a church or other organized religious group. For some religions, this may require advanced college degrees. California law allows a priest, minister or rabbi from any denomination to officiate weddings. The officiant must be at least 18 years old, but he can be from out of state as long as he is a religious leader. You can get a minister's license online from ordination sites such as American Fellowship Church or Universal Life Church -- California law doesn't differentiate between full-time ministers and other religious leaders, as long as your credentials can be verified if questions arise. California doesn't verify the credentials of wedding officiants; that's the job of the happy couple.
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Run for election as a judge or seek an appointed judgeship. California allows federal, state and county judges to officiate weddings. Many judgeships require a law degree. Retired judges can continue to officiate weddings after they retire from office.
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Run for election for a city or county position, such as mayor, commissioner or clerk of court. You will retain the ability to officiate weddings after your term ends.
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Run for the state legislature or Congress. State officials and congressional representatives can officiate weddings while in office, but not after their terms end.
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