Rhiannon Hendricks
If you're planning a wedding in Virginia, you may be wondering if you need to have witnesses present. The good news is that, according to Virginia law, no witnesses are required to be in attendance at your wedding. The only people who need to be there are the couple getting married and the officiant, who must be authorized by the Commonwealth of Virginia to perform marriages. This means that you can have a private, intimate ceremony with just the two of you and your chosen officiant. However, if you'd like to invite guests or have witnesses, that's completely up to you! There are no residency requirements for eloping in Virginia, so you don't have to be a resident of the state to get married there. Just remember that both individuals getting married must be physically present, as Virginia does not allow marriages by proxy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Witnesses required | No |
| Officiant required | Yes |
| Officiant qualifications | Must be registered with the state to legally perform marriages |
| Officiant title | Minister |
| Ordaining body | Universal Life Church |
| Marriage license cost | $30 |
| Validity of marriage license | 60 days from the date of issue |
| Marriage license application requirements | Valid government-issued photo IDs, full names of parents as stated on birth certificates, proof of divorce or death certificate if applicable |
| Marriage ceremony location | Anywhere within the state of Virginia |
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What You'll Learn
Virginia wedding laws do not require witnesses
While witnesses are not required, couples are more than welcome to invite guests to their wedding. It is important to note that self-officiation is not permitted in Virginia. The officiant must be someone other than the couple and must be legally qualified to perform the ceremony. Illegally performing a marriage ceremony is a crime.
To obtain a marriage license in Virginia, couples can apply at any circuit court in the state. The cost of a marriage license is $30 and it is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Both members of the couple must be physically present and provide valid government-issued photo IDs, as well as other key information such as the full names of their parents as stated on their birth certificates. The clerk may also request proof of divorce or a death certificate if either member of the couple was previously married.
Once the couple has obtained a marriage license, they can wed anywhere within the state of Virginia. The marriage ceremony must take place within 60 days of the issue date of the license. After the ceremony, the officiant has five days to return the completed marriage license to the circuit court clerk's office.
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The couple, officiant and valid IDs are required
If you're planning a wedding in Virginia, it's important to know the legal requirements to ensure your special day goes off without a hitch. The good news is that Virginia does not require witnesses to be present at the wedding ceremony. So, if you were hoping for a small, intimate gathering, you're in luck! The only people who must be in attendance are the couple and the officiant.
Now, let's talk about the couple and what they need to do to ensure their union is legally recognized. First, they must apply for a marriage license at any circuit court in Virginia. This can be done regardless of residency or state affiliation, so whether you're a Virginia native or an out-of-state couple looking for a scenic backdrop for your nuptials, Virginia welcomes you! The license costs $30 and is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Be sure to bring valid government-issued photo IDs, such as a passport, driver's license, or state ID card, and be prepared to provide key information like the full names of your parents as stated on their birth certificates.
On the day of the wedding, both individuals being married must be physically present, as Virginia does not allow marriages by proxy. After the ceremony, the couple, along with their officiant, will sign the marriage license. This completed certificate must be returned to the issuing circuit court within five days to ensure the marriage is officially recognized.
Now, let's discuss the officiant. Virginia has specific requirements for who can legally perform a wedding ceremony. The officiant must be registered with the state and cannot be ordained online. Local clergy members can receive authorization by applying in the county where their house of worship or religious body is located, while civil celebrants (non-religious marriage officiants) must be Virginia residents and apply in their county of residence. In some cases, a friend or relative can apply for a one-time civil officiant license, but they must be a Virginia resident residing in the county where the wedding will take place.
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The marriage license costs $30 and is valid for 60 days
If you're planning a wedding in Virginia, there are a few legal requirements you need to be aware of, particularly when it comes to the marriage license. The marriage license is a crucial part of the process and will cost you $30. This fee is payable by credit card, including Visa or MasterCard, although MasterCard includes an additional four percent processing fee. Cash is only accepted if you obtain your license in person. You can apply for a marriage license at any circuit court in Virginia, and you don't need to be a resident of the state to do so. Both members of the couple must be present and provide valid government-issued photo IDs, such as a passport, driver's license, or state ID card. Other information, such as the full names of your parents as stated on their birth certificates, will also be required.
Once you have your marriage license, you can wed anywhere within Virginia, but remember that the license is only valid for 60 days from the date of issue. This means that your marriage ceremony must take place within this timeframe. It's important to choose an officiant who is legally qualified to perform the ceremony, as illegally doing so is a crime. Virginia has specific rules regarding officiants, and self-officiation is not permitted. The officiant must be registered with the state and cannot be ordained online. Local clergy members, civil celebrants, ordained ministers, and marriage commissioners are all eligible to officiate. In some cases, a friend or relative who is a Virginia resident can apply for a one-time civil officiant license to conduct the ceremony.
After the ceremony, the completed marriage license must be returned to the issuing circuit court within five days. This is typically handled by the officiant. You can then order certified copies of your marriage certificate for a small fee. It's worth noting that witnesses are not required for a Virginia wedding, but guests are welcome to attend. So, while you don't need to worry about having witnesses present, make sure you don't forget that all-important marriage license!
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The officiant must be registered with the state
Virginia has strict rules regarding who can officiate a wedding. The officiant must be registered with the state to legally perform marriages. Couples can choose from a variety of officiants, including local clergy members, civil celebrants, ordained ministers, and marriage commissioners.
Local clergy members can receive authorization to perform a marriage by applying in the county where their house of worship or religious body is located. They must pay a $26 filing fee and provide proof of their position within their religious organization. Civil celebrants are non-religious marriage officiants and must be Virginia residents. They should apply in the county where they reside and post a $500 bond prior to the ceremony.
Ordained ministers should use “minister" as their title and "Universal Life Church" as the ordaining body. However, it is important to note that Virginia does not recognize online ordinations. Out-of-state ministers should apply in the county where the marriage ceremony will take place.
Marriage commissioners are also authorized to perform weddings in Virginia. For example, Sheriff Brown and Captain Marshall in Charlottesville are authorized to perform civil wedding ceremonies.
In some cases, a friend or relative can apply for a one-time civil officiant license to conduct the wedding ceremony. However, they must be a Virginia resident residing in the county where the wedding will take place. Illegally performing a marriage ceremony is a crime, and those found guilty may face up to a year in jail and a $500 penalty.
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The officiant must return the certificate within five days
In the state of Virginia, there is no requirement for witnesses to be present at a wedding. The only people required to be in attendance are the couple and the officiant. The officiant, however, must be registered with the state to legally perform marriages. Virginia will not recognize your marriage if your officiant was ordained online. Local clergy members, ordained ministers, marriage commissioners, and civil celebrants are eligible to officiate. In some cases, a friend or relative can apply for a one-time civil officiant license to conduct the wedding ceremony, but they must be a Virginia resident residing in the county where the wedding will take place.
After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed marriage license, also known as the Marriage Record and the Marriage Return, to the issuing circuit court or the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office within five days. The certificate must be filed and preserved in the clerk's office, and an index of the names of both parties married must be created. Once the county has received the completed marriage license, couples can order certified copies.
It is important to note that the marriage license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue, and the marriage ceremony must take place within this time frame. The license costs $30 and can be obtained at any circuit court in Virginia. Both members of the couple must be present and provide valid government-issued photo IDs, as well as other key information such as their parents' names.
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Frequently asked questions
No, witnesses are not required for a Virginia wedding. The only people required to be in attendance are the couple and the officiant.
The officiant must be registered with the state to legally perform marriages. Virginia does not recognize ministers ordained online or non-resident non-clergy to perform weddings. Local clergy members, ordained ministers, marriage commissioners, civil celebrants, and sheriffs can officiate weddings in Virginia.
A marriage license costs $30 and is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Both parties must appear at the same time and present valid government-issued photo IDs. They will also need to provide other key information, including their parents' names.
