The cost to get ordained in Illinois is effectively zero. The state has no minister registry, no license fee, and no filing requirement, and the major online ministries ordain you at no charge. The money you spend, if any, goes to optional paper credentials, which run about $20 to $100 depending on what you order.
What You Actually Pay
Illinois does not license or register wedding officiants. Under 750 ILCS 5/209, a marriage may be solemnized “in accordance with the prescriptions of any religious denomination,” provided the officiant is in good standing with that denomination.1Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Compiled Statutes 750 ILCS 5/209 – Solemnization and Registration No state agency reviews your credentials, and county clerks do not require officiants to register before performing a ceremony.2McLean County, IL – Official Website. Marriage and Civil Union Officiants The state charges you nothing because there is no process to charge you for.
The ordination itself is also free from the most popular online ministries. The Universal Life Church charges no application fee, no processing fee, and no renewal fee; once you complete the online form, your ordination is permanent.3Universal Life Church. How Much Does it Cost to Get Ordained American Marriage Ministries works the same way. The digital confirmation you receive is sufficient under Illinois law to sign a marriage certificate.
When You’ll Spend Money
Online ministries make their money selling credential packages, not the ordination. If you want something tangible to show the couple or the county clerk, the prices look like this:
- A basic credential kit from the Universal Life Church runs about $23 and includes a printed ordination certificate.4Universal Life Church. Ordination Credential Certificate Kit
- A mid-range package from Open Ministry starts at $29.99 for the minister ordination package or $49.99 for the wedding officiant package, usually bundling a certificate with a letter of good standing and a minister ID card.5Open Ministry. Get Ordained Online with Open Ministry
- A complete membership bundle from Open Ministry, with multiple ceremony certificates and reference materials, runs $99.99.5Open Ministry. Get Ordained Online with Open Ministry
A letter of good standing confirms your current active status with the ordaining organization. Illinois law does not require it, but having one on hand avoids awkward questions at the county clerk’s window.
Shipping
Order early and this costs almost nothing. American Marriage Ministries charges $5.50 for standard ground shipping (three to seven business days), $9.50 for priority mail, and $26.50 for two-day FedEx Express, with a one-business-day processing time before anything ships.6American Marriage Ministries. What Kind of Shipping Options Do You Offer Other ministries charge similar amounts.
Apostille or Authentication
If you ever need your ordination document authenticated for use abroad or by an institution that requires state-level verification, the Illinois Secretary of State charges $2 per apostille.7Illinois Secretary of State. Application for Authentication or Apostille Certifying Documents for Use Abroad Most officiants working inside Illinois will never need this.
For a one-time officiant doing a wedding for a friend, the realistic total is $0 to about $60. Skip the paper credentials and it is $0.
The Legal Duty That Comes With Your Ordination
The ordination is free, but it carries an obligation worth knowing before the ceremony. Whoever solemnizes the marriage must complete the marriage certificate and forward it to the county clerk within 10 days.1Illinois General Assembly. Illinois Compiled Statutes 750 ILCS 5/209 – Solemnization and Registration Missing the deadline carries no direct fee, but it delays the couple’s certified copy, which they need for name changes, insurance, and taxes. Treat the window seriously.
Added Costs If You’ll Officiate Regularly
If you plan to perform weddings as a side business rather than a one-off favor, a few more expenses enter the picture.
Liability Insurance
Wedding officiants operating as a business typically carry general liability coverage. Annual premiums for $1 million in coverage generally fall in the $400 to $700 range. Professional liability, which covers claims of negligence in ministerial duties, is a separate policy and adds to that total. Neither is required by Illinois law, but venues increasingly ask for proof of insurance before letting an outside officiant work.
Assumed Business Name
If you officiate under a business name rather than your legal name, Illinois requires you to register an assumed business name with the county clerk. Fees vary by county and typically run $25 to $50 as a one-time filing.
Self-Employment Tax
Any money you receive for performing a wedding is taxable income. If your net self-employment earnings from ministerial services reach $400 or more in a tax year, you owe self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) on top of regular income tax, reported on Schedule SE with your Form 1040.8Internal Revenue Service. Topic No. 417, Earnings for Clergy IRS Publication 517 covers the full set of clergy tax rules.9Internal Revenue Service. About Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information for Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers Set aside a portion of each ceremony fee so the bill does not surprise you at filing time.