Authorization to Perform Marriage Ceremony - non-minister

Individuals expecting to perform a wedding ceremony in the Commonwealth of Virginia must receive authorization through the Court, prior to performing the ceremony, pursuant to the Code of Virginia §20-25.  Authorization will be 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 3-4 weeks prior to the ceremony to complete the authorization process.

Eligibility to be a one-time marriage celebrant authorized by this Court is:

Must be a resident of the 16th Circuit (Fluvanna, Louisa, Charlottesville, Albemarle, Goochland, Madison, Greene, Orange, Culpeper);
Must be at least 18 years of age or older;
Must never have been convicted of a felony;
Must execute a $500 bond after Court authorizes petition.

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

Notarized petition.  Petition must be typed or printed in legible handwriting.  
Legal Names of Couple.  Verify full legal names and confirm place & date of ceremony prior to filing petition.
Filing fees - $56.00.  The filing fee must be paid at the time of filing the petition.  We accept cash, check, money order or credit card.  (There is a 4% convenience fee when using a credit card). 

The 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 petition has been submitted, a court order and bond will be prepared.  Once the order is entered by the Judge, the petitioner will be contacted to return to the Clerk's Office to execute the bond.  The petitioner is not authorized to perform the ceremony until after the entry of a Court Order and the bond process is complete.   

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