{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/20-25.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/20-25.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/20-25.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/20-25.html"}],"law_id":79164,"edition_id":1,"section_id":79164,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-25","catch_line":"Persons other than ministers who may perform rites","history":"Code 1919, \u00a7 5080; 1938, c. 152; 1981, c. 295; 1981, Sp. Sess., c. 15; 1983, c. 64; 1985, c. 195; 1987, c. 149; 2003, c. 228; 2004, cc. 612, 680; 2012, c. 802; 2016, c. 611; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 87; 2023, c. 789; 2024, cc. 412, 499.","full_text":"Upon petition filed with the clerk and payment of applicable clerk’s fees, any circuit court judge may issue an order authorizing one or more persons resident in the circuit in which the judge sits to celebrate the rites of marriage in the Commonwealth. Any person so authorized shall, before acting, enter into bond in the penalty of $500, with or without surety, as the court may direct; however, upon a showing that the person would otherwise be qualified for in forma pauperis status, the court may waive such bond. Any order made under this section may be rescinded at any time. No oath shall be required of a person authorized to celebrate the rites of marriage, nor shall such person be considered an officer of the Commonwealth by virtue of such authorization.\n\t\tAny judge or justice of a court of record, any judge of a district court, any retired judge or justice of the Commonwealth, any active, senior, or retired federal judge or justice who is a resident of the Commonwealth, or any current or former (i) member of the General Assembly, (ii) Governor of Virginia, (iii) Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, (iv) Attorney General of Virginia, (v) Virginia member of the United States Senate or United States House of Representatives, or (vi) clerk of a circuit court of the Commonwealth who is a resident of the Commonwealth may celebrate the rites of marriage anywhere in the Commonwealth without the necessity of bond or order of authorization.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":283500,"text":"Upon petition filed with the clerk and payment of applicable clerk’s fees, any circuit court judge may issue an order authorizing one or more persons resident in the circuit in which the judge sits to celebrate the rites of marriage in the Commonwealth. Any person so authorized shall, before acting, enter into bond in the penalty of $500, with or without surety, as the court may direct; however, upon a showing that the person would otherwise be qualified for in forma pauperis status, the court may waive such bond. Any order made under this section may be rescinded at any time. No oath shall be required of a person authorized to celebrate the rites of marriage, nor shall such person be considered an officer of the Commonwealth by virtue of such authorization.\n\t\tAny judge or justice of a court of record, any judge of a district court, any retired judge or justice of the Commonwealth, any active, senior, or retired federal judge or justice who is a resident of the Commonwealth, or any current or former (i) member of the General Assembly, (ii) Governor of Virginia, (iii) Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, (iv) Attorney General of Virginia, (v) Virginia member of the United States Senate or United States House of Representatives, or (vi) clerk of a circuit court of the Commonwealth who is a resident of the Commonwealth may celebrate the rites of marriage anywhere in the Commonwealth without the necessity of bond or order of authorization.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14353,"edition_id":1,"name":"Marriage Generally","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12711,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:51","permalink":{"id":178175,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14353,"identifier":"2","token":"20\/2","url":"\/20\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12711,"edition_id":1,"name":"Domestic Relations","identifier":"20","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":178075,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12711,"identifier":"20","token":"20","url":"\/20\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66582,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-13","catch_line":"License and solemnization required","url":"\/20-13\/","token":"20\/2\/20-13","metadata":false},{"id":86644,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-13.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-13.1\/","token":"20\/2\/20-13.1","metadata":false},{"id":71545,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-13.2","catch_line":"Marriage lawful regardless of sex, gender, or race of parties","url":"\/20-13.2\/","token":"20\/2\/20-13.2","metadata":false},{"id":55668,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-14","catch_line":"By whom license to be issued","url":"\/20-14\/","token":"20\/2\/20-14","metadata":false},{"id":83362,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-14.1","catch_line":"Duration of license; issuance of additional licenses","url":"\/20-14.1\/","token":"20\/2\/20-14.1","metadata":false},{"id":67609,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-14.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-14.2\/","token":"20\/2\/20-14.2","metadata":false},{"id":58474,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-15","catch_line":"Tax on license","url":"\/20-15\/","token":"20\/2\/20-15","metadata":false},{"id":63291,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-16","catch_line":"Issuance of marriage licenses and marriage certificates","url":"\/20-16\/","token":"20\/2\/20-16","metadata":false},{"id":84838,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-16.1","catch_line":"Clerk authorized to amend marriage records","url":"\/20-16.1\/","token":"20\/2\/20-16.1","metadata":false},{"id":69817,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-17","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-17\/","token":"20\/2\/20-17","metadata":false},{"id":80336,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-20","catch_line":"Clerk to file license and certificate; indexing names of parties; certified copies as evidence","url":"\/20-20\/","token":"20\/2\/20-20","metadata":false},{"id":60626,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-21","catch_line":"Clerk to furnish attorney for the Commonwealth list of licenses not returned by minister","url":"\/20-21\/","token":"20\/2\/20-21","metadata":false},{"id":78649,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-22","catch_line":"Attorney for the Commonwealth to ascertain before circuit court name of minister failing to return certificates","url":"\/20-22\/","token":"20\/2\/20-22","metadata":false},{"id":58372,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-23","catch_line":"Order authorizing ministers to perform ceremony","url":"\/20-23\/","token":"20\/2\/20-23","metadata":false},{"id":69426,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-24","catch_line":"Penalty for failure to certify record of marriage","url":"\/20-24\/","token":"20\/2\/20-24","metadata":false},{"id":79164,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-25","catch_line":"Persons other than ministers who may perform rites","url":"\/20-25\/","token":"20\/2\/20-25","metadata":false},{"id":66369,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-26","catch_line":"Marriage between members of religious society having no minister","url":"\/20-26\/","token":"20\/2\/20-26","metadata":false},{"id":68541,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-27","catch_line":"Fee for celebrating marriage","url":"\/20-27\/","token":"20\/2\/20-27","metadata":false},{"id":80371,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-28","catch_line":"Penalty for celebrating marriage without license","url":"\/20-28\/","token":"20\/2\/20-28","metadata":false},{"id":59731,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-29","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-29\/","token":"20\/2\/20-29","metadata":false},{"id":71366,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-30","catch_line":"Licenses of persons on federal reservations","url":"\/20-30\/","token":"20\/2\/20-30","metadata":false},{"id":76357,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-31","catch_line":"Belief of parties in lawful marriage validates certain defects","url":"\/20-31\/","token":"20\/2\/20-31","metadata":false},{"id":73616,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-31.1","catch_line":"When marriage legitimates children; issue of marriages prohibited by law, etc., legitimate","url":"\/20-31.1\/","token":"20\/2\/20-31.1","metadata":false},{"id":69033,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-32","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-32\/","token":"20\/2\/20-32","metadata":false},{"id":83541,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-33","catch_line":"Penalty for clerk issuing license contrary to law","url":"\/20-33\/","token":"20\/2\/20-33","metadata":false},{"id":66607,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-34","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-34\/","token":"20\/2\/20-34","metadata":false},{"id":81401,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-37","catch_line":"Validation of certain marriages when license issued by clerk of county court","url":"\/20-37\/","token":"20\/2\/20-37","metadata":false},{"id":83218,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-37.1","catch_line":"Validation of certain marriages solemnized outside of Commonwealth","url":"\/20-37.1\/","token":"20\/2\/20-37.1","metadata":false},{"id":72912,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-37.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-37.2\/","token":"20\/2\/20-37.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69426,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-24","catch_line":"Penalty for failure to certify record of marriage","url":"\/20-24\/","token":"20\/2\/20-24","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66369,"structure_id":14353,"section_number":"20-26","catch_line":"Marriage between members of religious society having no minister","url":"\/20-26\/","token":"20\/2\/20-26","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/20-25\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 11 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1938, chapter 152; in 1981, chapter 295; in 1983, chapter 64; in 1985, chapter 195; in 1987, chapter 149; in 2003, chapter 228<\/a>; in 2004, chapters 612<\/a> and 680<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 802<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 611<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 789<\/a>; in 2024, chapters 412<\/a> and 499<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":84267,"section_number":"16.1-69.19","catch_line":"Incompatible offices","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.19\/"},{"id":71931,"section_number":"17.1-275","catch_line":"Fees collected by clerks of circuit courts; generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-275\/"},{"id":79361,"section_number":"19.2-37","catch_line":"Magistrates; eligibility for appointment; restrictions on activities","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-37\/"},{"id":69426,"section_number":"20-24","catch_line":"Penalty for failure to certify record of marriage","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-24\/"},{"id":68541,"section_number":"20-27","catch_line":"Fee for celebrating marriage","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-27\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":178237,"object_type":"law","relational_id":79164,"identifier":"20-25","token":"20\/2\/20-25","url":"\/20-25\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/20-25\/","token":"20\/2\/20-25","dublin_core":{"Title":"Persons other than ministers who may perform rites","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 20-25","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Upon petition<\/span> filed with the clerk and payment of applicable clerk’s fees, any circuit<\/span> court<\/span> judge<\/span> may issue<\/span> an order<\/span> authorizing one or more persons resident in the circuit<\/span> in which the judge<\/span> sits to celebrate the rites of marriage in the Commonwealth. Any person so authorized shall, before acting, enter into bond<\/span> in the penalty<\/span> of $500, with or without surety<\/span>, as the court<\/span> may direct; however, upon a showing that the person would otherwise be qualified for in forma pauperis<\/span> status, the court<\/span> may waive<\/span> such bond<\/span>. Any order<\/span> made under this section may be rescinded at any time. No oath<\/span> shall be required of a person authorized to celebrate the rites of marriage, nor shall such person be considered an officer of the Commonwealth by virtue of such authorization.\n\t\tAny judge<\/span> or justice of a court<\/span> of record, any judge<\/span> of a district court<\/span>, any retired judge<\/span> or justice of the Commonwealth, any active, senior, or retired federal judge<\/span> or justice who is a resident of the Commonwealth, or any current or former (i) member of the General Assembly, (ii) Governor of Virginia, (iii) Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, (iv) Attorney General<\/span> of Virginia, (v) Virginia member of the United States Senate or United States House of Representatives, or (vi) clerk of a circuit<\/span> court<\/span> of the Commonwealth who is a resident of the Commonwealth may celebrate the rites of marriage anywhere in the Commonwealth without the necessity of bond<\/span> or order<\/span> of authorization.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPERSONS OTHER THAN MINISTERS WHO MAY PERFORM RITES (\u00a7 20-25)\n\nUpon petition filed with the clerk and payment of applicable clerk’s fees,\nany circuit court judge may issue an order authorizing one or more persons\nresident in the circuit in which the judge sits to celebrate the rites of\nmarriage in the Commonwealth. Any person so authorized shall, before acting,\nenter into bond in the penalty of $500, with or without surety, as the court may\ndirect; however, upon a showing that the person would otherwise be qualified for\nin forma pauperis status, the court may waive such bond. Any order made under\nthis section may be rescinded at any time. No oath shall be required of a person\nauthorized to celebrate the rites of marriage, nor shall such person be\nconsidered an officer of the Commonwealth by virtue of such authorization.\n\t\tAny judge or justice of a court of record, any judge of a district court, any\nretired judge or justice of the Commonwealth, any active, senior, or retired\nfederal judge or justice who is a resident of the Commonwealth, or any current\nor former (i) member of the General Assembly, (ii) Governor of Virginia, (iii)\nLieutenant Governor of Virginia, (iv) Attorney General of Virginia, (v) Virginia\nmember of the United States Senate or United States House of Representatives, or\n(vi) clerk of a circuit court of the Commonwealth who is a resident of the\nCommonwealth may celebrate the rites of marriage anywhere in the Commonwealth\nwithout the necessity of bond or order of authorization.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1919, \u00a7 5080; 1938, c. 152; 1981, c. 295; 1981, Sp. Sess., c. 15;\n1983, c. 64; 1985, c. 195; 1987, c. 149; 2003, c. 228; 2004, cc. 612, 680; 2012,\nc. 802; 2016, c. 611; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 87; 2023, c. 789; 2024, cc. 412,\n499.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}