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how long does it take to get ordained

It can take anywhere from a few minutes to several years to get ordained, depending on the path you choose and what you want to do with your ordination.

Quick Scoop

  • Online ordination with wedding-focused ministries: usually instant or a few minutes once you submit a simple form.
  • Short structured Christian programs: can advertise timelines like around 30 days if you study intensely and have local support.
  • Formal denominational ordination (e.g., mainline churches): typically several years of discernment plus training (often 4–6 years total).
  • Legal ability to officiate weddings: may add days to weeks for registering with local government, depending on your state or country.

The super-fast route: online ordination

Many people asking “how long does it take to get ordained” are really wondering how quickly they can officiate a friend’s wedding. For that purpose, online ordination is usually the fastest option.

Typical timeline:

  1. Fill out a brief online form (name, location, email, age confirmation).
  2. Submit the application.
  3. Receive instant confirmation by email; you are considered ordained with that organization right away.

In practice, this can take 5–10 minutes from start to finish for many online ministries.

“Ordained in 30 days” and short programs

Some Christian training and ordination ministries promote getting ordained in about 30 days , usually tied to completing a specific set of online classes and being affirmed by a local church or faith community.

  • Assumes you study at an accelerated pace.
  • Requires local confirmation of your character and ministry involvement.
  • More structured than a one-click online ordination, but still relatively quick compared with traditional seminary paths.

This route suits people who want more training and accountability than a quick online form, without committing to multi‑year seminary study.

Traditional church ordination: years, not minutes

In historic or structured denominations (e.g., Catholic, Anglican, many mainline Protestant churches), ordination is a long vocational process.

Typical elements:

  • Discernment and screening: often 12–24 months of meetings, interviews, and assessments to confirm your calling.
  • Theological training: seminary or college-level formation, commonly 2–6 years , depending on degree level and denomination.
  • Post‑training placement: a curacy or supervised ministry for 3–4 years can follow initial training in some traditions.

From first conversations to full ordination and early ministry, you’re often looking at 5–10 years in these systems.

How long until you can legally officiate a wedding?

Being “ordained” and being legally allowed to perform a marriage are related but separate.

  • Many online ministries: ordination is instant , but
  • Your state or county may require you to register, file your credentials, or get approved , which can take a few days to a few weeks.

So if your goal is “officiate a wedding on a specific date,” plan backwards:

  • Check the rules where the ceremony will happen.
  • Build in time for mailing documents, county approval, and any extra paperwork.

Different viewpoints (from forums and real experiences)

People in forum discussions and comment threads describe very different experiences :

  • Some report being ordained online in about 5 minutes just to officiate a friend’s wedding, treating it as a quick, practical step.
  • Others emphasize that ordination should follow years of Scripture study, spiritual maturity, and accountability , especially for ongoing pastoral ministry.

This reflects a key tension: for some, ordination is a formal spiritual office ; for others, it’s a practical credential to perform a specific ceremony.

Simple rule of thumb

  • If you only need to officiate a wedding soon → expect minutes for ordination plus days–weeks for any local registration.
  • If you want to be a long‑term pastor or priest in a traditional church → expect multiple years of discernment, study, and supervised ministry.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.