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. 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.
Code 1919, § 5081; 1968, c. 318; 1981, c. 295; 2016, c. 611.
Structure Code of Virginia
Chapter 2 - Marriage Generally
§ 20-13. License and solemnization required
§ 20-14. By whom license to be issued
§ 20-14.1. Duration of license; issuance of additional licenses
§ 20-16. Issuance of marriage licenses and marriage certificates
§ 20-16.1. Clerk authorized to amend marriage records
§ 20-21. Clerk to furnish attorney for the Commonwealth list of licenses not returned by minister
§ 20-23. Order authorizing ministers to perform ceremony
§ 20-24. Penalty for failure to certify record of marriage
§ 20-25. Persons other than ministers who may perform rites
§ 20-26. Marriage between members of religious society having no minister
§ 20-27. Fee for celebrating marriage
§ 20-28. Penalty for celebrating marriage without license
§ 20-30. Licenses of persons on federal reservations
§ 20-31. Belief of parties in lawful marriage validates certain defects
§ 20-33. Penalty for clerk issuing license contrary to law
§ 20-37. Validation of certain marriages when license issued by clerk of county court
§ 20-37.1. Validation of certain marriages solemnized outside of Commonwealth