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

Becoming ordained in West Virginia to officiate weddings is a meaningful way to serve your community while celebrating one of life’s most important milestones. West Virginia law has specific requirements for wedding officiants, and the Christian Leaders Alliance (CLA) offers study-based credentials to help you meet these standards and excel in this special role.

Understanding West Virginia’s Wedding Officiant Laws

In West Virginia, the authority to officiate weddings is governed by state law. The following individuals can legally officiate:

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

To officiate weddings as a religious official, you must provide proof of ordination. West Virginia does not require officiants to register with the state, but it is essential to have proper documentation ready if requested.

After officiating a wedding, you are responsible for completing the marriage license and ensuring it is returned to the issuing clerk’s office for official recording.

How the Christian Leaders Alliance Meets West Virginia’s Requirements

The Christian Leaders Alliance ordination program is designed to help you meet West Virginia’s legal requirements and thrive in your role as a wedding officiant.

1. Recognized Ordination

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

2. Proof of Ordination

After completing the program, CLA provides official documentation of your ordination, ensuring you are fully prepared to officiate weddings legally.

3. Study-Based Training

The program, offered through Christian Leaders Institute (CLI), includes courses that help you:

Understand West Virginia’s marriage laws.
Design meaningful and personalized wedding ceremonies.
Handle legal responsibilities, such as completing and returning marriage licenses.

Celebrating West Virginia’s Unique Charm

West Virginia offers stunning backdrops for weddings, from its rolling hills and scenic rivers to charming country settings. As an officiant, you can create meaningful ceremonies that reflect the beauty of the state while celebrating God’s design for marriage. CLA training equips you to craft unique ceremonies that honor the couple’s love story and spiritual journey.

Expanding Your Ministry Beyond Weddings

Becoming a wedding officiant in West Virginia can open the door to broader ministry opportunities. CLA provides the spiritual and practical tools to help you grow in your calling.

Building Ministry Confidence

The program equips you with:

Biblical Foundations: Learn about marriage as a sacred covenant.
Ceremony Planning Skills: Gain the ability to create meaningful and personalized ceremonies.
Communication Techniques: Develop skills to deliver inspiring and heartfelt wedding messages.

Comprehensive Training

Unlike quick online ordination options, CLA emphasizes study-based preparation. This ensures you are fully equipped to officiate weddings with credibility and confidence.

Broader Ministry Opportunities

Officiating weddings is often the first step toward other ministry roles. Through CLI, you can access over 200 courses in areas like leadership, biblical studies, and pastoral care. These courses prepare you for lifelong ministry, whether as a pastor, chaplain, or community leader.

Weddings also provide opportunities to build meaningful relationships and share God’s love in new ways. Whether officiating one wedding or stepping into a larger ministry role, you’ll find countless ways to make an impact.

Answering the Call

Ephesians 4:12 (WEB) reminds us, “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 help others grow in their faith.

Start Your Journey Today

Becoming ordained in West Virginia is more than earning a credential—it’s about serving others, sharing God’s love, and beginning a transformative ministry journey. With Christian Leaders Alliance, you’ll gain the training, resources, and spiritual support needed to officiate weddings confidently and honorably.

Take the first step today with Christian Leaders Alliance and start making a lasting difference in your community while honoring God.

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

Ordination Testimony from West Virginia

My name is Jessie Hughart. I’ve been married to Heather for 14 years, and we share our home with two cats. Our passion is traveling and exploring the United States, and we look forward to many more adventures together.

My story, however, began long before this chapter of my life. I served in the Virginia Air National Guard Become Ordained in West Virginia while attending Virginia Tech to pursue a degree in computer science. Eventually, I returned to my home state of West Virginia and completed my degree at WVU Tech. It was during this time that I met my future wife. I was working at a nearby auto parts store, and she was working at a fast-food restaurant. Although we couldn’t connect at the time, God had already set things in motion.

About a year later, I received a message that said, “Hey, remember me? I used to work at that fast-food restaurant when you would come in for lunch.” From that point on, we’ve been inseparable.

A few years ago, we started attending churches, trying to find where we fit in. My wife eventually began traveling with a ministry crew, while I got involved in live streaming church services, leveraging my computer background. This arrangement worked for a while, but I felt there was more for me to do—I just wasn’t sure what it was.

Not knowing exactly what God had in store, I decided to investigate becoming a licensed minister. I knew our traveling lifestyle would continue, and being licensed would open doors for ministry opportunities no matter where we were. That’s when I discovered Christian Leaders Institute (CLI). I’ve learned so much about what it takes to have a successful ministry, and it’s been a blessing to grow in knowledge and purpose.

Now, my wife has started Compassion Outreach, and together we are learning how to minister to people as a team. I’m currently a licensed minister and working toward ordination. Since my last update, I’ve been preaching at various locations and gaining valuable insights into different types of ministry.

With ordination through the Christian Leaders Alliance, I’m preparing for my next role as a traveling minister. One day, we may even explore the possibility of planting a church. I’m committed to continuing my education through CLI and eagerly anticipating where this journey will take me.

Please keep both my wife and me in your prayers as we grow in ministry. Our hope is to reach people in ways they may not have been reached before and to touch lives with the love and truth of Christ.

From Weddings to Ministry: Becoming Ordained in West Virginia

Getting ordained in West Virginia to officiate weddings is a meaningful way to begin your ministry journey. As a wedding officiant, you play a key role in helping couples honor their commitments in a way that reflects God’s design for marriage. Ministry is about guiding people, celebrating life’s special moments, and helping them grow closer to Christ.

Becoming a Wedding Officiant in West Virginia

Serving as a wedding officiant in West Virginia requires dedication and a heart for helping others. It also takes preparation to design ceremonies that honor both the legal and spiritual aspects of a couple’s union. Ceremonies often include worship elements like prayer, Scripture readings, and messages about the sacred covenant of marriage.

By becoming ordained through the Christian Leaders Alliance (CLA), you gain access to training from the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI). This program helps you build the skills, spiritual foundation, and credentials needed to officiate weddings and grow in ministry.

How Christian Leaders Institute Helps Your Ministry

The Christian Leaders Institute provides free, Bible-based courses that are designed to help you succeed in ministry. Whether you’re officiating weddings or pursuing other roles, CLI gives you the tools you need to grow in your calling.

Courses Designed for Ministry

CLI offers more than 200 courses, including:

Wedding Officiant Skills: Learn to plan ceremonies, handle legal requirements, and deliver meaningful messages.
Pastoral Care: Build skills to support and guide people during life’s challenging moments.
Biblical Studies: Deepen your understanding of Scripture to help you grow in your faith and ministry.
Leadership Development: Strengthen your ability to lead in your church or community.

Flexible Learning Options

The CLI program is designed for busy people, letting you study at your own pace without financial stress.

Sharing God’s Word Through Weddings

One of the most rewarding parts of being a wedding officiant is delivering a heartfelt message. Like a sermon, your words can inspire the couple and their guests, pointing them to God’s design for marriage. Many officiants find that this role leads to other ministry opportunities, opening doors to serve in new ways.

The Christian Leaders Alliance Ordination Program

Since 2014, Christian Leaders Alliance has helped people step into ministry by offering:

Comprehensive Training: Gain practical skills for officiating weddings and serving in other ministry roles.
Spiritual Preparation: Develop a deeper understanding of God’s Word and how to share it effectively.
Recognized Credentials: Receive ordination through a respected, Bible-based organization.

Thousands of people have used this program to become officiants, pastors, and ministry leaders.

Beyond Weddings: Expanding Your Ministry

Officiating weddings is just the beginning. Through CLI, you’ll have access to courses on chaplaincy, leadership, and more. These tools can prepare you for roles like pastor, chaplain, or community leader.

Weddings are also a great way to build relationships and share God’s love. Whether you officiate one wedding or step into a broader ministry role, you’ll find plenty of ways to make a lasting impact.

Answering God’s Call

Romans 12:6-7 (WEB) says, “Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching.” By becoming ordained, you use your gifts to serve others and help them grow in faith.

Begin Your Journey Today

Getting ordained in West Virginia is about more than earning a credential. It’s an opportunity to serve others, share God’s love, and start a ministry journey that makes a difference. With Christian Leaders Alliance, you’ll get the training, resources, and spiritual support you need to officiate weddings with confidence and purpose.

Take the first step today with Christian Leaders Alliance and start serving God and your community in powerful ways.

More Minister Roles

Officiant Ordination Roles

Minister Ordination Roles

Author: Henry Reyenga

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