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.
- 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
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
Kentucky's Top Wedding Spot
Antebellum mansion at My Old Kentucky Home State Park
3 License to Marry in Kentucky
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
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
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.
To view the in-depth wedding laws for Kentucky state:
Kentucky Marriage Laws⇓ Show the rest
Adair County
424 Public Square, Suite 3Columbia, Kentucky
42727
Phone: (270) 384-2801
Fax: (270) 384-4805
Adair County website »
Allen County
201 West Main Street, Room 6Scottsville, Kentucky
42164
Phone: (270) 237-3706
Fax: (270) 237-9206
Allen County website »
Anderson County
100 South Main StreetLawrenceburg, 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 1AGlasgow, 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 200Pineville, 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 106Paris, 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 111Danville, 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 StreetJackson, 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 WalnutShepherdsville, Kentucky
Phone: (502) 543-2513
Fax: (502) 543-9121
Bullitt County website »
Butler County
110 North Main StreetMorgantown, Kentucky
42261
Phone: (270) 526-5676
Fax: (270) 526-2658
Butler County website »
Caldwell County
105 West Court SquarePrinceton, Kentucky
42445
Phone: (270) 365-6754
Fax: (270) 365-7447
Caldwell County website »
Calloway County
101 South Fifth Street, Suite 5Murray, Kentucky
42071
Phone: (270) 753-3923
Fax: (270) 759-9611
Calloway County website »
Campbell County
1098 Monmouth St.Newport, Kentucky
Phone: (859) 292-3845
Fax: (859) 292-0615
Campbell County website »
Carlisle County
985 US HWY 62Bardwell, 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 StreetGrayson, 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
Fax: (606) 787-9155
Casey County website »
Christian County
511 South Main St., Suite 15Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Phone: (270) 887-4105
Fax: (270) 887-4186
Christian County website »
Clark County
4 South Main St.Winchester, Kentucky
Phone: (859) 745-0280
Fax: (859) 745-4251
Clark County website »
Clay County
102 Richmond Road, Suite 101Manchester, Kentucky
40962
Phone: (606) 598-2544
Fax: (606) 599-0603
Clay County website »
Clinton County
100 S. Cross Street, Suite 103Albany, Kentucky
42602
Phone: (606) 387-5943
Fax: (606) 387-5258
Clinton County website »
Crittenden County
107 South Main Street, Suite 203Marion, 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 StreetOwensboro, Kentucky
42302
Phone: (270) 685-8434
Fax: (270) 686-7111
Daviess County website »
Edmonson County
108 N Main StreetBrownsville, Kentucky
42210
Phone: (270) 597-2624
Edmonson County website »
Elliott County
331 Main StSandy Hook, Kentucky
41171
Phone: (606) 738-5821
Fax: (606) 738-4509
Elliott County website »
Estill County
130 Main St., Room 102Irvine, Kentucky
Phone: (606) 723-5156
Fax: (606) 723-5108
Estill County website »
Fayette County
162 East Main StreetLexington, Kentucky
40507
Phone: (859) 253-3344
Fayette County website »
Fleming County
100 Court SquareFlemingsburg, Kentucky
41041
Phone: (606) 845-8461
Fax: (606) 845-0212
Fleming County website »
Floyd County
149 South Central Ave., Room 1Prestonsburg, 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. #1Hickman, Kentucky
42050
Phone: (270) 236-2727
Fax: (270) 236-2522
Fulton County website »
Gallatin County
102 West High StreetWarsaw, Kentucky
41095
Phone: (859) 567-5411
Fax: (859) 567-5444
Gallatin County website »
Garrard County
15 Public Square, Suite 5Lancaster, Kentucky
40444
Phone: (859) 792-3071
Fax: (859) 792-6751
Garrard County website »
Grant County
107 N. Main StreetWilliamstown, Kentucky
41097
Phone: (859) 824-3321
Fax: (859) 824-3367
Grant County website »
Graves County
101 East South Street, Suite 2Mayfield, Kentucky
42066
Phone: (270) 247-1676
Fax: (270) 247-1274
Graves County website »
Grayson County
10 Public Square, 3rd FloorLeitchfield, 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 StreetGreenup, Kentucky
41144
Phone: (606) 473-7394
Greenup County website »
Hancock County
225 Main Cross StreetHawesville, Kentucky
Phone: (270) 927-6117
Fax: (270) 927-8639
Hancock County website »
Hardin County
14 Public SquareElizabethtown, Kentucky
Phone: (270) 765-2171
Fax: (270) 765-6193
Hardin County website »
Harlan County
210 East Central Street, Suite 205Harlan, Kentucky
40831
Phone: (606) 573-3636
Fax: (606) 573-0064
Harlan County website »
Harrison County
111 South Main StreetCynthiana, Kentucky
Phone: (859) 234-7130
Fax: (859) 234-8049
Harrison County website »
Hart County
200 Main StreetMunfordville, Kentucky
42765
Phone: (270) 524-2751
Fax: (270) 524-0458
Hart County website »
Henderson County
20 N Main St, Suite 206Henderson, Kentucky
42420
Phone: (270) 826-3906
Fax: (270) 827-6002
Henderson County website »
Henry County
27 South Property RdNew Castle, Kentucky
40050
Phone: (502) 845-5705
Fax: (502) 845-5708
Henry County website »
Hickman County
110 East Clay Street, Suite EClinton, Kentucky
42031
Phone: (270) 653-2131
Hickman County website »
Hopkins County
24 Union StMadisonville, 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 StreetLouisville, 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 124Paintsville, Kentucky
41240
Phone: (606) 789-2557
Fax: (606) 789-2559
Johnson County website »
Kenton County
1840 Simon Kenton WayCovington, Kentucky
41011
Phone: (859) 392-1650
Kenton County website »
Knott County
54 Main St. EastHindman, Kentucky
41822
Phone: (606) 785-5651
Fax: (606) 785-0966
Knott County website »
Knox County
401 Court Square, Suite 102Barbourville, Kentucky
Phone: (606) 546-3568
Fax: (606) 546-3589
Knox County website »
LaRue County
209 W High St # 3Hodgenville, Kentucky
Phone: (270) 358-3544
Fax: (270) 358-4528
LaRue County website »
Laurel County
101 South Main St., Room 203London, 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 11Beattyville, 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 201Whitesburg, Kentucky
41858
Phone: (606) 633-2432
Fax: (606) 632-9282
Letcher County website »
Lewis County
112 Second StreetVanceburg, Kentucky
41179
Phone: (606) 796-3062
Fax: (606) 796-6511
Lewis County website »
Lincoln County
102 East Main St., Suite 3Stanford, Kentucky
40484
Phone: (606) 365-4570
Fax: (606) 365-4572
Lincoln County website »
Livingston County
321 Court St.Smithland, Kentucky
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 140Eddyville, Kentucky
42038
Phone: (270) 388-2331
Fax: (270) 388-0634
Lyon County website »
Madison County
101 West Main St., Suite 7Richmond, 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 102Lebanon, 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
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
301 South 6th St.Paducah, Kentucky
42003
Phone: (270) 444-4700
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 StreetCalhoun, Kentucky
42327
Phone: (270) 273-3082
Fax: (270) 273-5084
McLean County website »
Meade County
516 Hillcrest DriveBrandenburg, Kentucky
40108
Phone: (270) 422-2152
Fax: (270) 422-2158
Meade County website »
Menifee County
12 Main StreetFrenchburg, Kentucky
40322
Phone: (606) 768-3512
Fax: (606) 768-6738
Menifee County website »
Mercer County
207 West Lexington St.Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Phone: (859) 734-6310
Fax: (859) 734-6309
Mercer County website »
Metcalfe County
201 North Main StreetEdmonton, Kentucky
42129
Phone: (270) 432-4821
Fax: (270) 432-5176
Metcalfe County website »
Monroe County
200 North Main Street, Suite DTompkinsville, Kentucky
42167
Phone: (270) 487-5471
Fax: (270) 487-5976
Monroe County website »
Montgomery County
1 Court St., Suite 2Mount 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 StreetGreenville, 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 201Hartford, 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 FloorBooneville, Kentucky
41314
Phone: (606) 593-5735
Fax: (606) 593-5737
Owsley County website »
Pendleton County
233 Main St., Suite 1Falmouth, Kentucky
41040
Phone: (859) 654-3380
Fax: (859) 654-5600
Pendleton County website »
Perry County
481 Main Street, 1st FloorHazard, 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 109Stanton, 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 StreetMt. 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 102Morehead, Kentucky
40351
Phone: (606) 784-5212
Fax: (606) 784-2923
Rowan County website »
Russell County
410 Monument Square, Suite 110Jamestown, 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 StreetShelbyville, Kentucky
40065
Phone: (502) 633-4410
Fax: (502) 633-7887
Shelby County website »
Simpson County
103 West Cedar StreetFranklin, 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 StreetCampbellsville, Kentucky
42718
Phone: (270) 465-6677
Fax: (270) 789-1144
Taylor County website »
Todd County
202 East Washington StreetElkton, Kentucky
42220
Phone: (270) 265-9966 Ext 203
Fax: (270) 265-5615
Todd County website »
Trigg County
38 Main StreetCadiz, Kentucky
42211
Phone: (270) 522-6661
Fax: (270) 522-6662
Trigg County website »
Trimble County
30 HWY 42 EastBedford, 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 101Bowling Green, Kentucky
42101
Phone: (270) 842-9416
Fax: (270) 843-5319
Warren County website »
Washington County
117 North Cross Main St., Suite 1Springfield, Kentucky
Phone: (859) 336-5425
Fax: (859) 336-5408
Washington County website »
Wayne County
55 N. Main St, Suite 103Monticello, Kentucky
42633
Phone: (606) 348-4241
Fax: (606) 348-6647
Wayne County website »
Webster County
25 US Hwy 41-A SDixon, Kentucky
42409
Phone: (270) 639-7006
Fax: (270) 639-7029
Webster County website »
Whitley County
200 Main St, Room 2Williamsburg, Kentucky
40769
Phone: (606) 549-6002
Fax: (606) 549-2790
Whitley County website »
Woodford County
103 South Main Street, Suite 120Versailles, Kentucky
40383
Phone: (859) 873-3421
Fax: (859) 873-6985
Woodford County website »
