State Marriage Laws and Information
Since 2010, Open Ministry has been ordaining and helping people all over the world perform weddings, ceremony and other sacerdotal duties. This page focuses on requirements and information for Virginia; Scroll down to the bottom of the page for links to other states.
How to get ordained and perform a wedding in Virginia
If you are planning to get ordained in Virginia or you have been asked to perform a wedding ceremony in Virginia, or simply need to to find an ordained minister in Virginia to perform your wedding ceremony.
This ordination information forVirginia is provided below in an easy five step layout which is designed help walk you through the most common steps on registering to become a minister for Virginia and how perform a wedding ceremony in Virginia.
Step 1 - Get Ordained Online for free with Open Ministry
Step 1: Get Ordained in Virginia with Open Ministry
Receive your clerical ordination in Virginia through Open Ministry-100% free and fully online, with your digital ordination confirmation delivered instantly and printed proofs offered at our bookstore.
When you get ordained in Virginia through Open Ministry, you’ll enjoy:
- Digital ordination - confirmed via email free of charge.
- Optional printed certificates - available in our store.
- Universal recognition - valid across Virginia.
- Unlimited officiant scope - weddings, elopements, vow renewals.
- Community vetted - join ministers since 2010.
How It Works
- Click Get Ordained in Virginia.
- Provide your details on our encrypted form.
- Check your inbox for your free digital ordination; then order printed certificates.
With Open Ministry’s ordination, you become an officially empowered minister in Virginia, able to officiate legal wedding ceremonies statewide.
Our process is free and fast-printed certificates available for a small reasonable fee.
Step 2 - Contact The County Clerk
How to Register to Officiate a Marriage in Virginia
Next, contact the office of your local marriage authority (typically your county clerk in Virginia). Let them know that you are a ordained minister with Open Ministry in California, and ask them what information the will require of you, to officiate a marriage in Virginia. Most clerks and governing agencies may require that you present them with a physical copy of your ordination record.
When speaking with the county clerk; it can be helpful to use the following phrases.
- What agency or department issues marriage licenses in your county and how may I contact them?
- I am an ordained minister with a church in California and I would like to register as a wedding Officiant in your county to perform and solemnize weddings.
- I have my Letter of Good Standing and/or Ordination Credential as proof of my ministry and ordination.
- What additional documentation is required for me to register as a wedding Officiant in your county or state?
Step 3 - Get registered to perform a Marriage
License to perform a wedding in Virginia
After you've contacted your marriage authority, you will want to visit our bookstore to get physical copies official credentials for presentation and your records. (See Virginia State Statutes for More Specific Requirements )
When registering in Virginia you may be asked to display proof of your ordination to the county clerk's before they will accept the marriage license as having been legally solemnized. We typically advise ministers of Virginia to get a Complete Minister Package for Virginia which includes your Letter of Good Standing (the live signed and notarized physical copy of your standing with our ministry).
Having your physical copies credentials provides peace-of-mind to couples and others that you intend to marry. Additionally, we recommend at least 4 weeks between the date of the wedding ceremony and your order, to ensure that you receive all of your materials and are able to register in time. Please note that every state and county can impose different requirements. This may include other nominal fees and additional paperwork that may need to be completed before the ceremony can take place.
It is important to note that some county clerks in Virginia may require wedding officiants to attach a statement which asserts some of the elements in the marriage license upon submission, including the following:
- The time and location at which the wedding took place
- The names and places of residence of all official witnesses
- The religious organization in which the officiant is ordained
- The printed name and address of the officiant
Please note that, when filling out a marriage license, that Virginia State may request you use the title "Minister" or "Reverend". The County Clerks may also require you enter your denomination, you can use "Non-Denominational". Failing to state a denomination may result in rejection and could require a duplicate marriage license.
Step 4 - How to Perform the Wedding
How to perform a wedding in Virginia
Once you have completed of the above, you are ready to perform the wedding! Be sure that the couple has picked up their Virginia state issued marriage license from the appropriate office. Virginia marriage licenses valid for a set number of days, and there may be a waiting period between when the couple receives the marriage license in Virginia and when the ceremony may be legally performed in Virginia. This information should be written on the license and followed to ensure the ceremony is recorded properly.
Please be aware that the signed license must be returned to the issuing office in Virginia before the time limit is reached. Check the marriage license for the exact dates. Once the the previous matters have been addressed, officiating a wedding in Virginia can be a great and wonderful experience.
If you have any comments or issues as a wedding officiant in Virginia, or after you have been ordained, or would like to just asking for guidance on how to perform a wedding ceremony in Virginia. We recommend that all new Virginia wedding ministers who have issues or concerns about the ceremony read over our helpful guides.
Virginia
20-23 Order authorizing ministers to perform ceremony
When a minister of any religious denomination shall produce before the circuit court of any county or city in this Commonwealth, or before the judge of such court or before the clerk of such court at any time, proof of his ordination and of his being in regular communion with the religious society of which he is a reputed member, or proof that he holds a local minister's license and is serving as a regularly appointed pastor in his denomination, such court, or the judge thereof, or the clerk of such court at any time, may make an order authorizing such minister to celebrate the rites of matrimony in this Commonwealth. Any order made under this section may be rescinded at any time by the court or by the judge thereof.
Title 20: Domestic Relations - Chapter 2: Marriage Generally
(Code 1919, §§ 5079, 5080; 1962, c. 362; 1980, c. 154; 1981, c. 295.)
20-23 Order authorizing ministers to perform ceremony
When a minister of any religious denomination shall produce before the circuit court of any county or city in this Commonwealth, or before the judge of such court or before the clerk of such court at any time, proof of his ordination and of his being in regular communion with the religious society of which he is a reputed member, or proof that he holds a local minister's license and is serving as a regularly appointed pastor in his denomination, such court, or the judge thereof, or the clerk of such court at any time, may make an order authorizing such minister to celebrate the rites of matrimony in this Commonwealth. Any order made under this section may be rescinded at any time by the court or by the judge thereof.
Title 20: Domestic Relations - Chapter 2: Marriage Generally
(Code 1919, §§ 5079, 5080; 1962, c. 362; 1980, c. 154; 1981, c. 295.)
20-26 Marriage between members of religious society having no minister
Marriages between persons belonging to any religious society which has no ordained minister, may be solemnized by the persons and in the manner prescribed by and practiced in any such society. One person chosen by the society shall be responsible for completing the certification of marriage in the same manner as a minister or other person authorized to perform marriages; such person chosen by the society for this purpose shall be required to execute a bond in the penalty of $500, with surety.
Title 20: Domestic Relations - Chapter 2: Marriage Generally
(Code 1919, § 5081; 1968, c. 318; 1981, c. 295.)