Authorization to Perform Marriage Ceremony - non-minister

Individuals expecting to perform a wedding ceremony in the Commonwealth of Virginia must receive authorization through a Circuit Court Clerk prior to performing the ceremony pursuant to the Code of Virginia §20-25. There is no longer a residency requirement on where an individual can file. In Fluvanna, authorization will be granted on a one-time basis only.  The authorization is only valid for couples with a Virginia-issued marriage license and for a ceremony located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Please allow at least 2-3 weeks prior to the ceremony to complete the authorization process.

Eligibility to be a one-time marriage celebrant is:

Must be at least 18 years of age or older; and
Must execute and, if required, pay a $500 bond, after Clerk approves application.

The Clerk’s office must receive the following items to initiate the authorization process:

Application.  
Legal Names of Couple.  Verify full legal names and confirm place & date of ceremony prior to filing application.
Filing fees - $59.00.  The filing fee must be paid at the time of filing the application.  We accept cash, check, money order or credit card.  (There is a 4% convenience fee when using a credit card). 

The initial required documentation and fee can be mailed or hand delivered to:

Fluvanna County Circuit Court

Post Office Box 550

72 Main Street

Palmyra, VA  22963

Once the application has been submitted, a clerk's order and bond will be prepared.  Once the order is entered by the clerk, the applicant will be contacted to come to or return to the Clerk's Office to execute &, if required, pay the $500 bond.  The applicant is not authorized to perform the ceremony until after the entry of a Clerk's Order and the bond process is complete.   

Once the marriage has been performed and the license has been returned to the appropriate clerk's office, a certified copy of the marriage license must be presented to this office for return of the $500 bond, if paid. 

For additional information or if you have any questions, please call 434-591-1970.