OBTAINING LEGALLY RECOGNIZED CLERGY STATUS IN OHIO

To have such status, one must have ordination papers from a congregation for which you are a regular pastor or minister.

Several churches that ordain Pagans are recognized, including the Church of Spiral Oak, ADF, the Covenant of the Goddess, the Unitarian Universalists, and others, including individual covens. Please e-mail Larry Cornett at hugnome42@yahoo.com if your religious institution is so recognized and provide a summary of the requirements in your church for ordination, and its webpage. Larry obtained such status for his coven VisionWeavers. A generic version of the documents that he successfully submitted (after being signed by coven members) to become recognized by the State of Ohio as ordained clergy are below:

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Letter of Ordination

This certifies that _______________ (AKA ______) was publicly set apart to the work of a minister within our Church, with ritual and by Acclamation of the Congregation, according to the practice of our Church on ______, 19__.

Rev. ______ was called to ordination by the _______ Ministry, of which he is a member in good standing, and which, after full and sufficient opportunity to judge, were agreed in the opinion that he was called to the work and responsibility of a minister.

To This Certification Do We The Members of the Counsel of Elders Set Our Names and Signatures in Witness Thereof.

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Elder XXXXX

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Elder YYYYY

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Elder XXXXX

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Certificate of Ordination

To All Before Whom These Presents Come

Be It Known That

__________________

(AKA ______)

Has Been Made A Minister Of

____________

With All The Rights And Responsibilities Pertinent

To The Performance Of The Rites And Rituals Of Our Faith

Given This __th Day Of ______

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xxx(a name)

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Also contact the Ohio Secretary of State at 30 E. Broad St., 14th Floor; Columbus, OH 43266-0418. Request the application for a minister's license by calling the office of the Secretary of State at (614) 466-2655. When you receive it, send the completed form, a photocopy of your ordination certificate, and a $10?? check or money order to the address provided by the office of the Secretary of State. This will take 2-3 weeks.

By Ohio Law, licensed clergy must report suspected child or elder abuse to authorities, as well as follow State laws when marrying couples. A summary of the laws is provided at licensure. This license makes chaplaincy status at hospitals, etc. easier to obtain.