Who Can Officiate A Wedding In Virginia?

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, there are specific requirements for who can legally perform a wedding. While the state offers flexibility for couples looking to get married, with no mandated waiting period and recognition of same-sex marriage, the requirements for officiants are more stringent. Virginia does not recognize online ordination for religious leaders, including Universal Life Church (ULC) ministers, meaning that ULC ordination is generally insufficient to perform a legally binding wedding ceremony in the state. However, local law may allow for exceptions, and ULC ministers are authorized to perform religious weddings.

For non-religious ceremonies, one-time ceremony civil celebrants can be authorized to perform a wedding in Virginia by submitting a petition and paying a $500 bond. This option is only available to residents of the county in which the marriage will take place. Virginia also allows permanent civil celebrants, who must be residents of the county, to perform weddings.

Additionally, certain officials are authorized to celebrate the rites of marriage anywhere in Virginia without the need for a bond or order of authorization. These include any judge or justice of a court of record, retired judge or justice of the Commonwealth, active or retired federal judge or justice who is a Virginia resident, and current or former members of the General Assembly, among others.

It is important to note that Virginia requires ministers who officiate marriages to be at least 18 years old, and officials may ask for proof of ordination and active membership in a religious organization.

Virginia does not recognise online ordination for religious leaders, including ULC ministers

In Virginia, religious and government officials are authorised to conduct weddings. This means that, for most people, getting ordained is the easiest way to gain the legal right to solemnise weddings.

Virginia's stance on online ordination

How to become a wedding officiant in Virginia

To become a wedding officiant in Virginia, you must be at least 18 years old and may be asked to present credentials, including proof of ordination and active membership in your religious organisation. There are no laws governing the minister's place of origin, creed, gender identity, or other demographic or religious factors.

How to get a Virginia marriage license

To get a marriage license in Virginia, both prospective spouses must visit a county clerk's office to pay the $30 application fee and complete the necessary forms. Both parties must apply in person, even if one member of the couple resides in a different state. Standard government-issued IDs, such as a driver's license, are considered sufficient proof of personal data and identity. If either member of the couple is divorced, they must also provide proof of completion of divorce proceedings.

Marriage licenses issued by county clerks are not valid across the state, which means the marriage must be performed in the county that granted the license.

Non-residents who are not clergy cannot legally perform a wedding in Virginia

While Virginia offers plenty of delights for soon-to-be-wed couples, the state has strict requirements for who can legally perform a wedding.

According to Loudoun County, Virginia, non-residents who are not clergy cannot legally perform a wedding in the state. This means that if you are not a resident of Virginia and are not a member of the clergy, you cannot officiate a wedding in the state.

To be authorised to perform a wedding in Virginia, non-clergy residents must be appointed as a One-Time Ceremony Civil Celebrant or a permanent Civil Celebrant. To become a One-Time Ceremony Civil Celebrant, you must be a resident of Loudoun County and submit a One-Time Ceremony Civil Celebrant Petition, along with two letters of reference from Loudoun County citizens. Once approved, you must post a $500 bond before performing the marriage ceremony.

To become a permanent Civil Celebrant, you must be a resident of Loudoun County and submit a letter to the Clerk expressing your interest in the position. The Clerk will then provide information about the process.

It is important to note that Virginia does not recognise online ordination for religious leaders, including Universal Life Church (ULC) ministers. This means that ULC ordination is generally not sufficient to perform a legally binding wedding ceremony in the state. However, local law may allow for exceptions, so it is recommended to check with the local county clerk.

In summary, if you are not a resident of Virginia and are not a member of the clergy, you cannot legally perform a wedding in the state. To become authorised to perform weddings, you must go through the proper channels and meet the requirements set by the state and/or county.

Virginia requires ministers who officiate a marriage to be at least 18 years old

Virginia has various requirements for those looking to get married in the state, as well as for those looking to officiate a wedding.

For those looking to officiate a wedding in Virginia, the state requires ministers to be at least 18 years old. While there are no restrictions on a minister's gender, beliefs, or place of origin, officials may ask for proof of ordination and the minister's active membership in their religious organization. Virginia law requires all marriage officiants to register with the government before officiating weddings. This can be done at any county clerk's office and costs around $50. The registration process can be difficult and the time it takes to process an application depends on the county.

Since 2010, many county clerks in Virginia have denied ministers ordained online the right to perform marriages. This is due to a letter written by an Opinions Counsel of the Attorney General's Office, which states that clerks are not required to accept these ministers' applications. However, this is not settled case law and does not have legal weight. Some county clerks do not discriminate and will process applications from all ministers.

If you encounter difficulties with your registration, there are alternative solutions. Any circuit court can issue a one-time civil ceremony authorization. To apply, you must be a county resident, at least 18 years old, and have no felony convictions. You will also need to pay a $500 cash bond if your application is approved.

There is no required waiting period after obtaining a marriage license in Virginia

There is no waiting period in Virginia after obtaining a marriage license. This means that couples can choose to have their wedding ceremony immediately after receiving their license. However, it is important to note that the license is only valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Therefore, the marriage ceremony must take place within this timeframe.

To obtain a marriage license in Virginia, couples can visit any circuit courthouse in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Both parties must be present at the same time and provide valid government-issued photo IDs, such as a driver's license, passport, or DMV-issued ID card. The fee for a marriage license is $30, and it can be paid by cash, check, money order, or credit card. It is important to note that some courthouses may have additional rules and regulations regarding payment methods.

In addition to the IDs and fee, couples are also required to provide certain information, such as the full names of their parents and their mother's maiden name. If either party has been previously married, they may be required to provide a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. This requirement may vary depending on the specific court.

Once the marriage license is obtained, the ceremony can be performed anywhere within the Commonwealth of Virginia. The location of the ceremony does not matter, as the license will be returned to the issuing office regardless. Couples are free to choose a civil or religious ceremony, and the officiant must be authorized by a Virginia circuit court.

Virginia also recognizes same-sex marriages, and there is no requirement for witnesses to be present at the ceremony. Overall, the process of obtaining a marriage license in Virginia is straightforward and can be completed quickly, allowing couples to plan their wedding ceremony without any mandatory waiting periods.

Couples can adapt or eliminate all other details of the ceremony according to their preferences

Virginia's marriage laws allow couples to adapt or eliminate all other details of the ceremony according to their preferences. This means that, besides the basic requirements, couples are free to personalise their wedding ceremony.

The Basics

For a wedding ceremony to be valid in Virginia, the officiant and both members of the couple must be physically present. There is no requirement for additional witnesses. During the ceremony, there must be a clear statement of consent by each party, although it does not have to be the traditional "I do". After the statement of consent, the officiant must declare the couple officially married.

Officiants

Virginia has strict requirements for officiants. The state does not recognise online ordination for religious leaders, including Universal Life Church (ULC) ministers. This means that ULC ordination is generally not sufficient grounds to perform a legally binding wedding ceremony in the state. However, local law may allow for exceptions, so it is best to check with the local county clerk. Virginia requires that ministers who officiate a marriage are at least 18 years of age, and officials may ask for proof of ordination and the minister's active membership in their religious organisation. There are no laws governing the minister's place of origin, creed, gender identity, or other demographic or religious factors.

Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses can be obtained from any circuit court in Virginia and are valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Both parties must be present and provide valid government-issued photo IDs. The cost of a marriage license is $30. The license is only valid for the county that granted it, so the marriage must take place in that county.

Finalising the Marriage

After the ceremony, the officiant is responsible for completing the marriage license and returning it to the issuing county clerk's office within five days of the ceremony. The officiant's title should be listed as "minister" and "Universal Life Church Ministries" as the ordaining body.

Frequently asked questions