Created and reviewed for accuracy by researchers at the Universal Life Church Ministries

Kentucky Outline

Congratulations! If you've found yourself at this page it is likely that you are either planning to be married or have been asked to perform a wedding ceremony in Kentucky. Ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church have successfully performed thousands of legal marriages in Kentucky. The information provided below will walk you through the steps one must follow to become a minister and perform a valid wedding ceremony in the state of Kentucky.

Quick Facts
  • ULC Ordination Accepted: Yes
  • Minister Registration Required: Sometimes
  • Minister's Residency: Irrelevant
  • Minister's Minimum Age: 18
  •  
  • Marriage License Waiting Period: 0 Days
  • Marriage License Valid For: 30 Days
  • Marriage License Return Within: By Expiration
Regional Information

For more specific information about performing a wedding in certain parts of Kentucky, choose a location below. If your area isn't listed, don't worry - just continue scrolling to review the helpful general information on this page.

1 How to Become an Ordained Minister in Kentucky

If you haven't already, you should get ordained online with the Universal Life Church. Ordination is free and can be completed in just a matter of minutes. Thousands of legally valid marriages are performed by ULC ministers around the world every year. Begin the process by clicking the big blue button below!

2 Officiating a Wedding in Kentucky

Next, you should contact the office of your local marriage authority (typically your county clerk). Let them know that you are a minister of the Universal Life Church in Seattle, and ask what they will require of you to officiate a legal marriage.

Select your County Clerk to quickly generate the contact information for your local marriage authority.



Select a county contact

3 Kentucky Officiant Requirements

After you've contacted your marriage authority, you should visit our online store to purchase whatever documentation will be required. We typically advise ministers in Kentucky to get an Ordination Package and add a Letter of Good Standing to her or his order. While Minister registration is not technically required in Kentucky it has been reported to us that ministers ordained online with the Universal Life Church are often required to present proof of ordination to the county clerk before the marriages performed will be accepted as having been legally solemnized. As an added bonus, having this proof of your ordination will also provide peace-of-mind to any couple that you intend to marry. Additionally, please attempt to leave at least 3 weeks between the date of the wedding ceremony and your order, to ensure that you receive all of your materials in advance.

4 How to get Married in Kentucky

Kentucky's Top Wedding Spot

Kentucky's Top Wedding Spot

Antebellum mansion at My Old Kentucky Home State Park

Now that you've done all of the above, you are ready to perform the wedding! Be sure that the couple has picked up their Kentucky marriage license from the appropriate office. This license is valid for 30 days, but there is no mandatory waiting period between when the couple receives the marriage license in Kentucky and when the ceremony may be legally performed. Please be aware that the signed license must be returned to the issuing office by its date of expiry.

At the Universal Life Church we receive several calls from wedding officiants in Kentucky, after they've received their license to marry by getting ordained online, asking for guidance on how to perform a wedding ceremony. Once the legal matters have been taken care of, officiating a wedding (while a sometimes-daunting task) can be a great deal of fun. We would suggest that new Kentucky wedding ministers concerned about the ceremony peruse one of our helpful wedding guides. The minister training section of our website should offer a helpful refresher for more experienced ministers.

5 How to Plan a Kentucky Wedding

Kentucky is a great state for any special gathering, but the southern hospitality makes it a great choice to hold a wedding in. If you've been asked to perform a wedding in Kentucky, there are a few things that are good to keep in mind. Most of the seasons are rather agreeable, aside from winter. Consequently, just about all weddings take place during the warmer part of the year, with only about 8% occurring in the cold season. While there are plenty of breathtaking outdoor wedding venues, be aware that you should consider scoping these out and reserving them long in advance. There is one incredibly famous venue located in Versailles, for example. If the couple is willing to spare no expense, a Kentucky Castle Wedding can make dreams come true. While the property has beautiful grounds, it also boasts the most incredible palatial structure so you might be able to snag it in the slow winter months. Finally, the question arises of how much an officiating minister should charge for a Kentucky wedding. Honestly, there’s no simple answer – fees can vary widely based on experience level, amount of involvement, and other responsibilities the couple might need covered. Location matters too; in big cities like Louisville and Lexington, or special venues like the Castle at Versailles, an officiating minister can charge a good amount more than in other parts of the state.


Kentucky Marriage Code

Kentucky Flag

Kentucky Marriage Code

Marriage in Kentucky is governed by Chapter 402 of Title 35 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Ministers who got ordained online with the Universal Life Church have successfully solemnized thousands of weddings in the state. Below, you will find that we have reproduced a relevant excerpt of this code.

402.050 Who may solemnize marriage -- Persons present. (1) Marriage shall be solemnized only by: (a) Ministers of the gospel or priests of any denomination in regular communion with any religious society; (b) Justices and judges of the Court of Justice, retired justices and judges of the Court of Justice except those removed for cause or convicted of a felony, county judges/executive, and such justices of the peace and fiscal court commissioners as the Governor or the county judge/executive authorizes; or (c) A religious society that has no officiating minister or priest and whose usage is to solemnize marriage at the usual place of worship and by consent given in the presence of the society, if either party belongs to the society. (2) At least two (2) persons, in addition to the parties and the person solemnizing the marriage, shall be present at every marriage. Effective:July 15, 1996 View the Kentucky Statutes on the official state site.

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Learn All About Marriage Law in Kentucky

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Adair County

424 Public Square, Suite 3
Columbia, Kentucky
42727

Phone: (270) 384-2801
Fax: (270) 384-4805
Adair County website »

Allen County

201 West Main Street, Room 6
Scottsville, Kentucky
42164

Phone: (270) 237-3706
Fax: (270) 237-9206
Allen County website »

Anderson County

100 South Main Street
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
40342

Phone: (502) 839-3041
Fax: (502) 839-3043
Anderson County website »

Ballard County

132 North 4th St.
Wickliffe, Kentucky
42087

Phone: (270) 335-5168
Fax: (270) 335-3081
Ballard County website »

Barren County

117 North Public Square, Suite 1A
Glasgow, Kentucky
42141

Phone: (270) 651-3783
Fax: (270) 651-1083
Barren County website »

Bath County

17 West Main St.
Owingsville, Kentucky
40360

Phone: (606) 674-2613
Fax: (606) 674-9526
Bath County website »

Bell County

101 Courthouse Square, Suite 200
Pineville, Kentucky
40977

Phone: (606) 337-6143
Fax: (606) 337-5415
Bell County website »

Boone County

2950 Washington St.
Burlington, Kentucky
41005

Phone: (859) 334-2276
Fax: (859) 334-2193
Boone County website »

Bourbon County

301 Main St. Suite 106
Paris, Kentucky
40361

Phone: (859) 987-2142
Fax: (859) 987-5660
Bourbon County website »

Boyd County

2800 Louisa St.
Catlettsburg, Kentucky
41129

Phone: (606) 739-5116
Fax: (606) 739-0430
Boyd County website »

Boyle County

321 West Main Street, Room 111
Danville, Kentucky
40422

Phone: (859) 238-1110
Fax: (859) 238-1108
Boyle County website »

Bracken County

116 W. Miami St.
Brooksville, Kentucky
41004

Phone: (606) 735-2952
Fax: (606) 735-2687
Bracken County website »

Breathitt County

1137 Main Street
Jackson, Kentucky
41339

Phone: (606) 666-3800 Ext 707
Fax: (606) 666-3807
Breathitt County website »

Breckinridge County

208 South Main St.
Hardinsburg, Kentucky
40143

Phone: (270) 756-2246
Fax: (270) 756-1569
Breckinridge County website »

Bullitt County

149 North Walnut
Shepherdsville, Kentucky
40165

Phone: (502) 543-2513
Fax: (502) 543-9121
Bullitt County website »

Butler County

110 North Main Street
Morgantown, Kentucky
42261

Phone: (270) 526-5676
Fax: (270) 526-2658
Butler County website »

Caldwell County

105 West Court Square
Princeton, Kentucky
42445

Phone: (270) 365-6754
Fax: (270) 365-7447
Caldwell County website »

Calloway County

101 South Fifth Street, Suite 5
Murray, Kentucky
42071

Phone: (270) 753-3923
Fax: (270) 759-9611
Calloway County website »

Campbell County

1098 Monmouth St.
Newport, Kentucky
41071

Phone: (859) 292-3885
Fax: (859) 292-0615
Campbell County website »

Carlisle County

985 US HWY 62
Bardwell, Kentucky
42023

Phone: (270) 628-3233
Fax: (270) 628-0191
Carlisle County website »

Carroll County

440 Main St.
Carrollton, Kentucky
41008

Phone: (502) 732-7005
Fax: (502) 732-7007
Carroll County website »

Carter County

300 West Main Street
Grayson, Kentucky
41143

Phone: (606) 474-5188
Fax: (606) 474-6991
Carter County website »

Casey County

625 Campbellsville St.
Liberty, Kentucky
42539

Phone: (606) 787-6471
Casey County website »

Christian County

511 South Main St., Suite 15
Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Phone: (270) 887-4105
Fax: (270) 887-4186
Christian County website »

Clark County

4 South Main St.
Winchester, Kentucky
40392

Phone: (859) 745-0280
Fax: (859) 745-4251
Clark County website »

Clay County

102 Richmond Road, Suite 101
Manchester, Kentucky
40962

Phone: (606) 598-2544
Fax: (606) 599-0603
Clay County website »

Clinton County

100 S. Cross Street, Suite 103
Albany, Kentucky
42602

Phone: (606) 387-5943
Fax: (606) 387-5258
Clinton County website »

Crittenden County

107 South Main Street, Suite 203
Marion, Kentucky
42064

Phone: (270) 965-3403
Fax: (270) 965-3447
Crittenden County website »

Cumberland County

601 Courthouse Sq.
Burkesville, Kentucky

Phone: (270) 864-3726
Fax: (270) 864-5884
Cumberland County website »

Daviess County

212 Saint Ann Street
Owensboro, Kentucky
42302

Phone: (270) 685-8434
Fax: (270) 686-7111
Daviess County website »

Edmonson County

108 N Main Street
Brownsville, Kentucky
42210

Phone: (270) 597-2624
Edmonson County website »

Elliott County

331 Main St
Sandy Hook, Kentucky
41171

Phone: (606) 738-5821
Fax: (606) 738-4509
Elliott County website »

Estill County

130 Main St., Room 102
Irvine, Kentucky
40336

Phone: (606) 723-5156
Fax: (606) 723-5108
Estill County website »

Fayette County

162 East Main Street
Lexington, Kentucky
40507

Phone: (859) 253-3344
Fayette County website »

Fleming County

100 Court Square
Flemingsburg, Kentucky
41041

Phone: (606) 845-8461
Fax: (606) 845-0212
Fleming County website »

Floyd County

149 South Central Ave., Room 1
Prestonsburg, Kentucky
41653

Phone: (606) 886-3816
Fax: (606) 886-8089
Floyd County website »

Franklin County

315 West Main St.
Frankfort, Kentucky
40602

Phone: (502) 875-8702
Fax: (502) 875-8718
Franklin County website »

Fulton County

2216 Myron Cory Dr. Ste. #1
Hickman, Kentucky
42050

Phone: (270) 236-2727
Fax: (270) 236-2522
Fulton County website »

Gallatin County

102 West High Street
Warsaw, Kentucky
41095

Phone: (859) 567-5411
Fax: (859) 567-5444
Gallatin County website »

Garrard County

15 Public Square, Suite 5
Lancaster, Kentucky
40444

Phone: (859) 792-3071
Fax: (859) 792-6751
Garrard County website »

Grant County

107 N. Main Street
Williamstown, Kentucky
41097

Phone: (859) 824-3321
Fax: (859) 824-3367
Grant County website »

Graves County

101 East South Street, Suite 2
Mayfield, Kentucky
42066

Phone: (270) 247-1676
Fax: (270) 247-1274
Graves County website »

Grayson County

10 Public Square, 3rd Floor
Leitchfield, Kentucky
42754

Phone: (270) 259-5295
Fax: (270) 259-9264
Grayson County website »

Green County

203 West Court St.
Greensburg, Kentucky
42743

Phone: (270) 932-5386
Fax: (270) 932-6241
Green County website »

Greenup County

301 Main Street
Greenup, Kentucky
41144

Phone: (606) 473-7394
Greenup County website »

Hancock County

225 Main Cross Street
Hawesville, Kentucky

Phone: (270) 927-6117
Fax: (270) 927-8639
Hancock County website »

Hardin County

14 Public Square
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
42701

Phone: (270) 765-2171
Fax: (270) 765-6193
Hardin County website »

Harlan County

210 East Central Street, Suite 205
Harlan, Kentucky
40831

Phone: (606) 573-3636
Fax: (606) 573-0064
Harlan County website »

Harrison County

111 South Main Street
Cynthiana, Kentucky

Phone: (859) 234-7130
Fax: (859) 234-8049
Harrison County website »

Hart County

200 Main Street
Munfordville, Kentucky
42765

Phone: (270) 524-2751
Fax: (270) 524-0458
Hart County website »

Henderson County

20 N Main St, Suite 206
Henderson, Kentucky
42420

Phone: (270) 826-3906
Fax: (270) 827-6002
Henderson County website »

Henry County

27 South Property Rd
New Castle, Kentucky
40050

Phone: (502) 845-5705
Fax: (502) 845-5708
Henry County website »

Hickman County

110 East Clay Street, Suite E
Clinton, Kentucky
42031

Phone: (270) 653-2131
Hickman County website »

Hopkins County

24 Union St
Madisonville, Kentucky
42431

Phone: (270) 821-7361
Fax: (270) 326-2091
Hopkins County website »

Jackson County

100 2nd St.
McKee, Kentucky
40447

Phone: (606) 287-7800
Fax: (606) 287-7190
Jackson County website »

Jefferson County

527 W. Jefferson Street
Louisville, Kentucky
40202

Phone: (502) 574-5700
Jefferson County website »

Jessamine County

101 North Main St.
Nicholasville, Kentucky
40356

Phone: (859) 885-4161
Fax: (859) 885-5837
Jessamine County website »

Johnson County

230 Court St., Suite 124
Paintsville, Kentucky
41240

Phone: (606) 789-2557
Fax: (606) 789-2559
Johnson County website »

Kenton County

1840 Simon Kenton Way
Covington, Kentucky
41011

Phone: (859) 392-1650
Kenton County website »

Knott County

54 Main St. East
Hindman, Kentucky
41822

Phone: (606) 785-5651
Fax: (606) 785-0966
Knott County website »

Knox County

14173 N US Highway 25 E
Corbin, Kentucky
40701

Phone: (606) 546-3568
Fax: (606) 546-3589
Knox County website »

LaRue County

209 W High St # 3
Hodgenville, Kentucky
42748

Phone: (270) 358-3544
Fax: (270) 358-4528
LaRue County website »

Laurel County

101 South Main St., Room 203
London, Kentucky
40741

Phone: (606) 864-5158
Fax: (606) 864-7369
Laurel County website »

Lawrence County

122 South Main Cross St.
Louisa, Kentucky
41230

Phone: (606) 638-4108
Fax: (606) 638-0638
Lawrence County website »

Lee County

256 West Main St., Room 11
Beattyville, Kentucky
41311

Phone: (606) 464-4115
Fax: (606) 464-4102
Lee County website »

Leslie County

22010 Main St.
Hyden, Kentucky
41749

Phone: (606) 672-2193
Fax: (606) 672-4264
Leslie County website »

Letcher County

156 Main St., Suite 201
Whitesburg, Kentucky
41858

Phone: (606) 633-2432
Fax: (606) 632-9282
Letcher County website »

Lewis County

112 Second Street
Vanceburg, Kentucky
41179

Phone: (606) 796-3062
Fax: (606) 796-6511
Lewis County website »

Lincoln County

102 East Main St., Suite 3
Stanford, Kentucky
40484

Phone: (606) 365-4570
Fax: (606) 365-4572
Lincoln County website »

Livingston County

321 Court St.
Smithland, Kentucky
42081

Phone: (270) 928-2162
Fax: (270) 928-2211
Livingston County website »

Logan County

229 West Third St.
Russellville, Kentucky
42276

Phone: (270) 726-6061
Fax: (270) 726-4355
Logan County website »

Lyon County

500 West Dale Avenue, Suite 140
Eddyville, Kentucky
42038

Phone: (270) 388-2331
Fax: (270) 388-0634
Lyon County website »

Madison County

101 West Main St. Suite 7
Richmond, Kentucky
40475

Phone: (859) 624-4703
Fax: (859) 624-4954
Madison County website »

Magoffin County

42 East Maple St.
Salyersville, Kentucky
41465

Phone: (606) 349-2216
Fax: (606) 349-2328
Magoffin County website »

Marion County

223 North Spalding Ave., Suite 102
Lebanon, Kentucky
40033

Phone: (270) 692-2651
Fax: (270) 692-9811
Marion County website »

Marshall County

1101 Main St.
Benton, Kentucky

Phone: (270) 527-4740
Fax: (270) 527-4738
Marshall County website »

Martin County

100 Main St.
Inez, Kentucky
41224

Phone: (606) 298-2810
Fax: (606) 298-0143
Martin County website »

Mason County

27 West 3rd St.
Maysville, Kentucky
41056

Phone: (606) 564-3341
Fax: (606) 564-8979
Mason County website »

McCracken County

300 Clarence Gaines St
Paducah, Kentucky
42003

Phone: (270) 444-4703
McCracken County website »

McCreary County

1 North Main St.
Whitley City, Kentucky
42653

Phone: (606) 376-2411
Fax: (606) 376-3898
McCreary County website »

McLean County

210 Main Street
Calhoun, Kentucky
42327

Phone: (270) 273-3082
Fax: (270) 273-5084
McLean County website »

Meade County

516 Hillcrest Drive
Brandenburg, Kentucky
40108

Phone: (270) 422-2152
Fax: (270) 422-2158
Meade County website »

Menifee County

12 Main Street
Frenchburg, Kentucky
40322

Phone: (606) 768-3512
Fax: (606) 768-6738
Menifee County website »

Mercer County

207 West Lexington St.
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
40330

Phone: (859) 734-6310
Fax: (859) 734-6309
Mercer County website »

Metcalfe County

201 North Main Street
Edmonton, Kentucky
42129

Phone: (270) 432-4821
Fax: (270) 432-5176
Metcalfe County website »

Monroe County

200 North Main Street, Suite D
Tompkinsville, Kentucky
42167

Phone: (270) 487-5471
Fax: (270) 487-5976
Monroe County website »

Montgomery County

1 Court St., Suite 2
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
40353

Phone: (859) 498-8700
Fax: (859) 498-8729
Montgomery County website »

Morgan County

450 Prestonsburg St.
West Liberty, Kentucky
41472

Phone: (606) 743-3949
Fax: (606) 743-2111
Morgan County website »

Muhlenberg County

100 S. Main Street
Greenville, Kentucky
42345

Phone: (270) 338-1441
Fax: (270) 338-1774
Muhlenberg County website »

Nelson County

113 E Stephen Foster Ave.
Bardstown, Kentucky
40004

Phone: (502) 348-1830
Fax: (502) 348-1822
Nelson County website »

Nicholas County

125 East Main St.
Carlisle, Kentucky
40311

Phone: (859) 289-3730
Fax: (859) 289-3709
Nicholas County website »

Ohio County

301 South Main St., Suite 201
Hartford, Kentucky
42347

Phone: (270) 298-4422
Fax: (270) 298-4426
Ohio County website »

Oldham County

100 West Jefferson St.
LaGrange, Kentucky

Phone: (502) 222-0047
Fax: (502) 222-3208
Oldham County website »

Owen County

136 West Bryan St.
Owenton, Kentucky

Phone: (502) 484-2213
Fax: (502) 484-1002
Owen County website »

Owsley County

20 Main St. 1st Floor
Booneville, Kentucky
41314

Phone: (606) 593-5735
Fax: (606) 593-5737
Owsley County website »

Pendleton County

233 Main St., Suite 1
Falmouth, Kentucky
41040

Phone: (859) 654-3380
Fax: (859) 654-5600
Pendleton County website »

Perry County

481 Main Street, 1st Floor
Hazard, Kentucky
41701

Phone: (606) 436-4614
Fax: (606) 439-1686
Perry County website »

Pike County

146 Main St.
Pikeville, Kentucky
41501

Phone: (606) 432-6211
Fax: (606) 432-6222
Pike County website »

Powell County

525 Washington St., Room 109
Stanton, Kentucky

Phone: (606) 663-6444
Fax: (606) 663-6406
Powell County website »

Pulaski County

100 North Main St.
Somerset, Kentucky
42502

Phone: (606) 679-2042
Fax: (606) 678-0073
Pulaski County website »

Robertson County

26 Court Street
Mt. Olivet, Kentucky
41064

Phone: (606) 724-5212
Fax: (606) 724-5022
Robertson County website »

Rockcastle County

205 East Main St.
Mt. Vernon, Kentucky
40456

Phone: (606) 256-2831
Fax: (606) 256-4302
Rockcastle County website »

Rowan County

600 West Main Street Room 102
Morehead, Kentucky
40351

Phone: (606) 784-5212
Fax: (606) 784-2923
Rowan County website »

Russell County

410 Monument Square, Suite 110
Jamestown, Kentucky
42629

Phone: (270) 343-2125
Fax: (270) 343-4700
Russell County website »

Scott County

101 East Main St.
Georgetown, Kentucky
40324

Phone: (502) 863-7875
Fax: (502) 863-7898
Scott County website »

Shelby County

501 Washington Street
Shelbyville, Kentucky
40065

Phone: (502) 633-4410
Fax: (502) 633-7887
Shelby County website »

Simpson County

103 West Cedar Street
Franklin, Kentucky
42134

Phone: (270) 586-8161
Fax: (270) 586-6464
Simpson County website »

Spencer County

2 West Main St.
Taylorsville, Kentucky
40071

Phone: (502) 477-3215
Fax: (502) 477-3216
Spencer County website »

Taylor County

203 North Court Street
Campbellsville, Kentucky
42718

Phone: (270) 465-6677
Fax: (270) 789-1144
Taylor County website »

Todd County

202 East Washington Street
Elkton, Kentucky
42220

Phone: (270) 265-9966 Ext 203
Fax: (270) 265-5615
Todd County website »

Trigg County

38 Main Street
Cadiz, Kentucky
42211

Phone: (270) 522-6661
Fax: (270) 522-6662
Trigg County website »

Trimble County

30 HWY 42 East
Bedford, Kentucky
40006

Phone: (502) 255-7174
Fax: (502) 255-7045
Trimble County website »

Union County

100 West Main St.
Morganfield, Kentucky
42437

Phone: (270) 389-1334
Fax: (270) 389-9135
Union County website »

Warren County

429 East 10th Ave, Suite 101
Bowling Green, Kentucky
42101

Phone: (270) 842-9416
Fax: (270) 843-5319
Warren County website »

Washington County

117 North Cross Main St., Suite 1
Springfield, Kentucky

Phone: (859) 336-5425
Fax: (859) 336-5408
Washington County website »

Wayne County

55 N. Main St, Suite 103
Monticello, Kentucky
42633

Phone: (606) 348-4241
Fax: (606) 348-6647
Wayne County website »

Webster County

25 US Hwy 41-A S
Dixon, Kentucky
42409

Phone: (270) 639-7006
Fax: (270) 639-7029
Webster County website »

Whitley County

200 Main St, Room 2
Williamsburg, Kentucky
40769

Phone: (606) 549-6002
Fax: (606) 549-2790
Whitley County website »

Wolfe County

100 Court St.
Campton, Kentucky
41301

Phone: (606) 668-3515
Wolfe County website »

Woodford County

103 South Main Street, Suite 120
Versailles, Kentucky
40383

Phone: (859) 873-3421
Fax: (859) 873-6985
Woodford County website »