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2023 SESSION
23103344DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 20-25 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 20-25. Persons other than ministers who may perform rites.
Upon petition filed with the clerk and payment of applicable
clerk's fees, any circuit court
judge such clerk
may issue an order authorizing one or more persons resident in the circuit in
which the judge sits such petition was filed 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. Any order made under this section may be rescinded at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.
Any 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, and any current (i) member of the General Assembly, (ii) Governor of Virginia, (iii) Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, and (iv) Attorney General of Virginia may celebrate the rites of marriage anywhere in the Commonwealth without the necessity of bond or order of authorization.