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Become Ordained in Virginia: Your Guide to Legally, Spiritually, and Academically Preparing for Wedding Officiant Ministry

Becoming ordained in Virginia to officiate weddings is a meaningful way to serve your community and celebrate life’s most cherished milestones. Virginia law outlines specific requirements for wedding officiants, and the Christian Leaders Alliance (CLA) provides study-based credentials to help you meet these standards and excel in this sacred role.

Understanding Virginia’s Wedding Officiant Laws

In Virginia, the authority to solemnize marriages is governed by Code of Virginia § 20-23, which specifies that the following individuals may officiate weddings:

  • Religious Officials: Ministers, priests, or clergy members ordained by recognized religious organizations.
  • Judicial Officials: Judges, magistrates, and clerks authorized by law.

Virginia requires religious officiants to be authorized by a circuit court in the county or city where the ceremony will take place. This involves submitting proof of ordination and other documentation that demonstrates affiliation with a recognized religious organization.

Once officiants receive court authorization, they can legally perform marriage ceremonies. After officiating a wedding, the officiant is responsible for completing the marriage license and returning it to the issuing clerk’s office for official recording within five days of the ceremony.

How the Christian Leaders Alliance Meets Virginia’s Requirements

The Christian Leaders Alliance ordination program equips you with the spiritual foundation and practical skills needed to meet Virginia’s legal standards and thrive as a wedding officiant.

1. Recognized Ordination

CLA provides ordination through a biblically grounded organization known for training Christian leaders. Your credentials align with Virginia’s requirements for religious officiants.

2. Proof of Ordination

Upon completing the program, CLA provides official documentation of your ordination, ensuring you can meet the court’s authorization requirements.

3. Study-Based Training

The program, offered through Christian Leaders Institute (CLI), emphasizes preparation through courses that include:

  • Understanding Virginia’s marriage laws.
  • Designing meaningful and personalized ceremonies.
  • Handling legal responsibilities, such as completing and submitting marriage licenses.

Celebrating Virginia’s Unique Charm

Virginia’s rich history and picturesque landscapes—from the Blue Ridge Mountains to historic estates—provide stunning settings for weddings. As an officiant, you’ll have the opportunity to create meaningful ceremonies that reflect the beauty of marriage and the charm of Virginia. CLA training equips you to craft personalized ceremonies that celebrate God’s design for marriage and the couple’s unique story.

Expanding Your Ministry Beyond Weddings

Becoming a wedding officiant in Virginia often serves as a gateway to broader ministry opportunities. CLA prepares you with spiritual and practical tools to grow your calling.

Building Ministry Confidence

The program equips you with:

  • Biblical Foundations: A deep understanding of marriage as a sacred covenant.
  • Ceremony Design Skills: The ability to create unique and meaningful ceremonies.
  • Effective Communication: Techniques to deliver inspiring and heartfelt wedding messages.

Comprehensive Training

Unlike quick online ordination options, CLA emphasizes in-depth, study-based preparation. This ensures you are fully equipped to officiate weddings that honor God and establish your credibility as a ministry leader.

Broader Ministry Opportunities

Officiating weddings is just the beginning. Through CLI, you’ll gain access to over 200 courses in areas such as biblical studies, leadership, and pastoral care. These courses prepare you for lifelong ministry roles, such as pastor, chaplain, or community leader.

Weddings often open doors for building relationships and sharing God’s love in new ways. Whether officiating a single ceremony or stepping into larger ministry roles, you’ll find countless opportunities to serve.

Answering the Call

Ephesians 4:12 (WEB) reminds us that God equips His people “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of serving, for the building up of the body of Christ.” By becoming ordained, you answer this call and strengthen others in their faith.

Start Your Journey Today

Becoming ordained in Virginia is about more than credentials—it’s an opportunity to serve others, share God’s love, and embark on a transformative ministry journey. With Christian Leaders Alliance, you’ll gain study-based training, resources, and spiritual support to officiate weddings confidently and honorably.

Take the first step today with Christian Leaders Alliance and begin making a lasting impact as you serve God and your community with excellence.

Watch a Video Introducing the Wedding Officiant Class by Professor Henry Reyenga

Suggested Links: 

Compare Christian Leaders Alliance with Instant Online Ordination – Click Here

Check out the Accreditation Status of the Christian Leaders Institute – Click Here

Learn more about the Christian Leaders Alliance – Click Here

See the Christian Leaders Alliance Minister Directory – Click Here

Learn more about Soul Centers a place to register your Wedding Officiant ministry- Click Here

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Ordination Testimony from Virginia

Hi! My name is Linda Lentner.

I live in the beautiful mountains of Virginia, in the United States. I am married to Allan and we have two adult sons. No grandchildren yet—only grand-puppies! I am a retired CPC (Certified Professional Coder) Become Ordained in Virginiain the medical field and, most importantly, a healed child of God. Today, I am an Ordained Minister, Licensed Chaplain, Licensed and Certified Life Coaching Minister, and a Licensed Christian & Wedding Officiant with the Christian Leaders Alliance. My specializations include Senior Care, Marriage, Intimacy, All Abilities, and Matchmaking.

I truly believe you can only share what you’ve been given. I share my hope in the transformational power of God to change lives and situations for His glory and for the good of those who trust Him—because He has done that for me.

Message of Hope

My stories may seem sad to some, but I have come to see them as avenues for God’s use. There are so many, I could probably write a book! But now, they are messages of hope—testimonies of Jesus’ healing power for the brokenhearted and captives of the world.

When I realized what God could do with all of our stories, I began to see my past through a different light. If we surrender our lives to Him, God will transform them in ways that honor Him. We will have a message to carry to those in need. It brings joy to my soul to know that my experiences have value for building His kingdom. Yours can, too.

Should I ever need to take off my Life Coaching hat to do teaching, counseling, or discipleship, I will gladly share a story or two.

Hope Fulfilled

As a child, I was bullied for my looks, poverty, and fearful nature. I also endured sexual abuse, which devastated my self-esteem. I grew up more reclusive than outgoing, surrounded by dysfunction on both sides of my family.

I was first exposed to Jesus through a high school friend who invited me to church. Though I attended frequently, I didn’t truly surrender to Christ. When I was 19, the weight of my sin overwhelmed me. I broke down in front of my couch, weeping over my misery and lack of peace. It was the 70s, and I had just returned from college after some personal failures. I repented, asking Jesus to come into my life and change me. That moment became my own Jesus Revolution,and I have never regretted it.

At 21, I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Today, as an Ordained Deacon Minister, I see this role as a stepping stone toward further education. My husband and I have started Hope in the Shadows Ministries at our local church. Together, we continue learning and adding specializations in Life Coaching and Chaplaincy.

Forgiveness, Healing, and Hope

Jesus has walked me through countless challenges. He has taken what was meant to harm me and turned it into something good. Through Him, I have found healing, forgiven those who hurt me in childhood, and made amends for my own past mistakes. His forgiveness has always been there, waiting for me to reach out.

Forgiveness is the key to healing—both giving and receiving it. Because of Jesus, I know that His love conquers all.

Family Hope

Before I was five, my brother and I were taken from our mother’s care. My parents divorced when I was around two, before my brother’s birth. My father, a mentally ill war veteran, was institutionalized for years. My grandmother, a widow of a street preacher, eventually became our guardian.

Though my grandmother couldn’t read, write, or drive, she loved and cared for us deeply. Her sacrifices shaped the warmest parts of my childhood. She saved for my first Barbie doll and prayed over us at night. Despite the dysfunction around us, she was a blessing.

Later, I reconciled with my mother, spending many meaningful hours with her before she passed. I also cared for my father as his guardian, witnessing him give his heart to Jesus before his death. It’s just like Jesus to bring love, forgiveness, and reconciliation into every story.

Hope in the Midst of Change

My life with Jesus has been a journey of learning and transformation. Through every stage, He has taught me valuable lessons, forgiven my failures, and opened doors I could never have imagined.

I’ve been in ministry in various forms throughout my life, even serving as a Licensed Staff Minister for a season. But only recently have I truly understood what ministry looks like through His eyes. Compassion, empathy, and persistence are gifts He has developed in me. Watching Him transform lives is one of my greatest joys.

Ministry Hope

I felt called to start a new ministry at my church. Everyone needs hope, especially during hard times. As I searched for direction, Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) appeared in front of me. It provided everything I needed to take the next step in my ministry journey.

Through CLA, I pursued Life Coaching, drawn to the Soul Center concept and Chaplaincy training. Now, I am an Ordained Deacon Minister, Licensed Chaplain, Licensed and Certified Life Coaching Minister, and Licensed Christian & Wedding Officiant.

My plan is to continue my education, add more specializations, and remain open to wherever God leads next. Thanks to CLI, my spiritual dreams are becoming a reality.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5

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From Weddings to Ministry: Becoming Ordained in Virginia

Getting ordained in Virginia to officiate weddings is a powerful way to begin a fulfilling ministry journey. As a wedding officiant, you serve an essential role in honoring couples’ commitments while reflecting God’s design for marriage. Ministry involves guiding others, celebrating life’s milestones, and fostering deeper connections to Christ.

Becoming a Wedding Officiant in Virginia

Serving as a wedding officiant in Virginia requires dedication, preparation, and a heart for service. Collaborating with couples to design meaningful ceremonies ensures that their union is celebrated both legally and spiritually. Ceremonies often include worship elements such as prayer, Scripture readings, and messages about the sacred covenant of marriage.

By becoming ordained through the Christian Leaders Alliance (CLA), you access study-based training from the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI). This program equips you with the skills, credentials, and spiritual foundation necessary to officiate weddings and expand your ministry opportunities.

How Christian Leaders Institute Enhances Ministry

The Christian Leaders Institute offers biblically grounded courses designed to support ministry growth. Whether officiating weddings or pursuing other roles, CLI provides resources to help you succeed.

Courses Tailored for Ministry

CLI offers over 200 courses, including:

  • Wedding Officiant Skills: Learn to design ceremonies, fulfill legal responsibilities, and deliver memorable messages.
  • Pastoral Care: Build skills to guide and support individuals during pivotal moments.
  • Biblical Studies: Deepen your understanding of Scripture for personal growth and ministry effectiveness.
  • Leadership Development: Strengthen your ability to lead in church and community settings.

Flexible and Accessible Learning

CLI’s curriculum is tailored for busy individuals, allowing you to study at your own pace and eliminating financial barriers to ministry preparation.

Grounded in God’s Word

One of the most rewarding aspects of officiating weddings is delivering a heartfelt and impactful message. Like a sermon, these messages encourage and inspire couples and their guests, pointing them toward God’s covenantal design for marriage. Many officiants find that this role serves as an entry point to broader ministry opportunities.

The Christian Leaders Alliance Ordination Program

Since 2014, Christian Leaders Alliance has equipped individuals for ministry through:

  • Comprehensive Training: Gain practical knowledge and skills for officiating weddings and other ministry roles.
  • Spiritual Preparation: Develop a deeper understanding of God’s Word and its application in ministry.
  • Recognized Credentials: Receive ordination through a biblically grounded organization.

Thousands have used this program to become officiants, pastors, and ministry leaders, ready to serve with confidence and integrity.

Expanding Ministry Beyond Weddings

Officiating weddings is often just the beginning. Through CLI, you’ll gain access to a wide range of courses in pastoral care, chaplaincy, and leadership. These tools prepare you for lifelong ministry roles such as pastor, chaplain, or community leader.

Weddings often create opportunities to build relationships and share God’s love in meaningful ways. Whether officiating one ceremony or stepping into greater ministry roles, you’ll find countless ways to make a lasting impact.

Answering the Call

Ephesians 4:12 (WEB) reminds us that God equips His people “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of serving, for the building up of the body of Christ.” Becoming ordained in Virginia enables you to fulfill this call, serving others and strengthening their faith.

Begin Your Journey Today

Becoming ordained in Virginia is about more than credentials—it’s a transformative opportunity to serve others, share God’s love, and embrace your ministry calling. With Christian Leaders Alliance, you’ll receive training, resources, and spiritual guidance to officiate weddings with confidence and honor.

Start your journey today with Christian Leaders Alliance, prepared to serve God and your community with excellence and purpose.

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Casting Out Demons

Henry Reyenga
Author: Henry Reyenga

Henry Reyenga is president of Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance.