Most couples know they need someone legally authorized to perform their wedding. What they may not know is that being legally allowed to officiate a wedding and being professionally qualified to officiate one are two very different things.
In many states, becoming an ordained wedding officiant can take only a few minutes online. The Universal Life Church, for example, openly advertises free online ordination that requires filling in some blanks and clicking a button. No experience or formal training is required.
There is nothing inherently wrong with that. Online ordination has made it possible for thousands of couples to have a friend or family member perform their ceremony.
The Humanist Celebrant endorsement through The Humanist Society, an adjunct of the American Humanist Association, requires considerably more. It is a higher level of credential available to true professional officiants.
The easiest way to explain it online ordination generally gives someone a religious credential that may allow them to legally solemnize marriages, depending on state law. Those wedding ordination websites are set up to make money so they will ordain ANYONE, whether they would make a good wedding officiant or not .
Humanist Celebrant endorsement is different because an organization is actually evaluating the person who wants the credential. The American Humanist Association evaluates someone’s ability to be a celebrant, and only endorses those that are vetted and capable.
To become a standard Humanist Celebrant through The Humanist Society, an applicant must demonstrate a strong understanding of humanism and a commitment to humanist values. Applicants submit an application, provide three references, have a basic background check, maintain membership in the American Humanist Association, complete an interview, and then have their application reviewed by The Humanist Society’s Board of Directors. The board ultimately votes on whether the applicant should receive the endorsement.
Start to finish the process can take up to two months. That is a very different process from entering your name and email address into an online form and receiving an ordination seconds later
It is the difference between someone says “You are now ordained. Would you like to buy our fancy certificate for $35?”
And someone saying “We reviewed you, interviewed you, checked references, did a background check, evaluated your understanding of our values, and 8 people voted that you meet our standard so we will put our organization’s name behind you.“
Getting endorsed is not the end of the process. Humanist Celebrants agree to follow The Humanist Society’s Ethical Code of Conduct.
That code requires Humanist professionals to demonstrate honesty and integrity, respect the dignity of clients, maintain confidentiality within the limits of the law, respect people with different beliefs, avoid exploitation, stay within their professional qualifications, and treat people experiencing stress, trauma or tragedy with appropriate care. Violating the ethical code can result in the loss of endorsement.
That means there is an organization behind the credential saying, “These are the standards we expect from people representing us. We hold them accountable.“
It does not mean every Humanist Celebrant will be a better public speaker than every online-ordained minister. It does not mean someone who became ordained online cannot become an outstanding professional officiant. It simply means the AHA credentials themselves represent a much higher standards.
The standard Humanist Celebrant endorsement is not simply issued once and forgotten. The initial endorsement is for two years. Celebrants can then seek renewal for a five-year period. The current renewal process includes another review, continued American Humanist Association membership, ceremony-experience requirements, and ongoing professional development or continuing education related to humanism or celebrant work.
The Humanist Society also offers professional education specifically for celebrants, including training in subjects such as writing personalized ceremonies, ceremony structure, choreography, working with couples and conducting weddings professionally.
In other words, this is designed to be a professional role with required education and experience, not simply a way to obtain permission to sign a marriage license.
The word Humanist sometimes confuses people.
A Humanist wedding does not mean an anti-religious wedding.
Humanism is a philosophy centered on human dignity, reason, compassion, ethics and our responsibility to one another. The American Humanist Association describes humanism as a philosophy that affirms our ability and responsibility to live ethical and meaningful lives while working toward the greater good.
Humanist Celebrants commonly perform secular and nonreligious ceremonies, but many also perform inclusive ceremonies for couples with different religious and cultural backgrounds.
A Humanist Celebrant is trained to approach the ceremony from the people outward.
Who are you?
What do you believe?
What matters to you?
What promises are you making?
What should this ceremony say about the marriage you are beginning?
The ceremony serves the couple. The couple does not have to fit themselves into the ceremony.
It means anyone can be an internet ordained wedding officiant. Only those that are truly professional and have passed the vetting of the AHA can be certified as a Humanist Celebrant.
Which does your ceremony deserve?
