Do I have to join the Register of Solemnisers after graduating from FuturFaith?

No. You do not have to join the Register of Solemnisers after graduating from FuturFaith.

You can still work as a FuturFaith Minister and offer a range of ceremonies without becoming legally registered. That includes symbolic weddings, funerals, baby naming ceremonies, vow renewals, elopements and other milestone ceremonies.

Joining the register is only necessary if you want to legally marry couples in the Republic of Ireland.

Note: To date, all of our graduates have opted to join the Register and become legal solemnisers.

What does joining the register allow you to do?

The Register of Solemnisers lists the people legally authorised to conduct marriage ceremonies in the Republic of Ireland.

If you want to lead a wedding ceremony that is legally binding, your name must be on the register before the ceremony takes place. You cannot legally marry a couple simply because you have completed celebrant training or graduated from the Path to Ministry course.

How do FuturFaith graduates join the Register of Solemnisers?

There is no individual application route to the register.

To become legally registered, a person must either be an HSE registrar or be nominated by an approved religious or secular body. FuturFaith can support eligible graduates through its nomination pathway.

For FuturFaith graduates, this support is available through Futur+.

Is legal registration worth it?

That depends on the type of celebrant work you want to do.

But usually, yes.

Legal registration may suit you if you want to offer couples one ceremony that is both personal and legally binding (which is what most couples look for).

It can make your services much more appealing to couples who do not want to book a separate registrar for the legal part of their wedding.

A separate decision after graduation

Graduation, ordination and legal registration are all separate things.

• Graduation means you have completed the Path to Ministry course and final assessment.
• Ordination is optional and is a personal or professional choice.
• Legal registration is optional, but required if you want to legally marry couples in the Republic of Ireland.

You can decide which route suits you best after graduation, based on the services you want to offer and the type of celebrant business you want to build.