SEARCH SITE
VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL
- Code of Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code
- Constitution of Virginia
- Charters
- Authorities
- Compacts
- Uncodified Acts
- RIS Users (account required)
SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- Bills & Resolutions
session legislation - Bill Summaries
session summaries - Reports to the General Assembly
House and Senate documents - Legislative Liaisons
State agency contacts
ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2024 SESSION
24102279DBe 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 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 Any order made under this section may be rescinded at any time.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.
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, or any current (i) member of the General Assembly, (ii) Governor
of Virginia, (iii) Lieutenant Governor of Virginia,
or (iv) Attorney General of
Virginia, or (v) Virginia
member of the United States Senate or United States
House of Representatives may celebrate the rites of
marriage anywhere in the Commonwealth without the necessity of bond or order of
authorization.