At least two couples, and probably more, were married in the last several years by the now infamous Bill A. Jakob of Washington.

Since last May, layers of Jakob’s life have been peeled away revealing one deceitful scheme after another. Jakob seems adept at role-playing and assuming a persona that has little to do with the realities of his life.

This leaves these couples wondering—was Jakob legally licensed to perform their marriage ceremonies? The answer: No one knows for certain.

One couple was married at a private residence in Stony Hill in the summer of 2006. The bride, who will be called “Sue” to protect her anonymity, had met Amanda Jakob, Bill’s wife. As Sue talked about her wedding plans, Amanda told her that her husband Bill could perform the ceremony.

Amanda also stated that Bill was a pilot and could fly the newlyweds to Florida in his boss’s plane. They could even stay in his boss’s beach house.

While the trip to Florida never materialized, the wedding did. Which now leaves Sue trying to figure out if she is legally married.

Sue says that she contacted Franklin County Sheriff Gary Toelke who told her his office did not track that sort of information. He referred her to the courthouse.

Gail, an employee in the Franklin County Recorder of Deeds office, who declined to give her last name, said they don’t keep tabs on those who may be licensed to perform weddings either. They just record the marriage license.

“If the license is recorded at the courthouse it is a legal and binding document,” Gail says. She adds that there would be little chance of anyone challenging the validity of the marriage.

“If you are getting married, it is your responsibility to make sure that the person performing the ceremony has been licensed to do so,” she adds.

According to Missouri Statute 451.000, “Marriages may be solemnized by any clergyman, either active or retired, who is in good standing with any church or synagogue in this state. Marriages may also be solemnized, without compensation, by any judge, including a municipal judge. Marriages may also be solemnized by a religious society, religious institution, or religious organization of this state, according to the regulations and customs of the society, institution or organization, when either party to the marriage to be solemnized is a member of such society, institution or organization.” 

Statute 451.115 describes the punishment for duping people in regard to  being licensed to perform a legal wedding. “(E)very person not authorized by law to solemnize marriages who shall falsely represent that he is so authorized, and who, by any pretended marriage ceremony which he may perform, shall deceive any innocent person or persons into the belief that they have been legally married, shall, on conviction, be adjudged guilty of a class C misdemeanor.”

Jakob who pled guilty to federal charges for impersonating a federal law officer and federal purchasing agents is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday. His attorney in that matter, Joel Schwartz, says he doesn’t know for sure whether or not Jakob was licensed to perform weddings.

“He has admitted to me many things that he has done wrong, but he is adamant that the weddings he performed are legal,” Schwartz told The Republican.  “He has told me of more serious wrongdoing on his part, so I am taking him at his word that he was licensed to perform these weddings but I just don’t know for sure.” 

So, how could someone like Bill Jakob, not a traditionally ordained minister and certainly not a judge, perform a wedding ceremony?

One answer might be that he got ordained over the internet by the Universal Life Church Monastery. The ULC claims to have ordained over 20 million ministers since 1959.

You can buy the ordination package for just $25.99. This includes a wall credential suitable for framing, a clergy badge, a plastic personalized wallet card credential, a window cling and — perhaps most valuable of all — a clergy parking placard.

If you would want to invest a little more in your new-found profession, you might opt for Ministry-in-a-Box, but this will set you back $139.99.

The box includes all the items in the Ordination Package, and also: a ministry manual which includes the Communion Services, Baptisms, Funerals, Weddings, Verses for the Sick and Dying and much more; a high-quality certificate commemorating the granting of your Doctor of Divinity by the ULC Monastery; 15 embossed blank certificates; and a ULC clergy badge.

Most alarming of all is the fact that if you don’t care to spend any money, you can still become ordained. You must fill out a short on-line form and your credentials will be mailed to you.

Of course, with this option you get neither the laminated clergy parking placard nor the Doctor of Divinity Certificate. With the on-line option you get only the legal licensing necessary to marry couples and baptize babies.

There is no indication that this is the group that Jakob used to gain licensure, if indeed he is licensed. It was used merely as an example of how easy it is to obtain credentials for almost any job — even that of a Multi-Jurisdictional Narcotics Task Force Officer.