VirginiaPersons other than ministers who may perform rites of marriage; clerk may issue order.
What it does
Persons other than ministers who may perform rites of marriage; clerk; issuance of order; bond requirement. Provides that a clerk of a circuit court may issue an order authorizing one or more persons to celebrate the rites of marriage in the Commonwealth. Under current law, only a circuit court judge may issue such an order.
More detail
The bill further makes discretionary the entrance into a bond in the penalty of $500 prior to performing the rites of marriage for a person authorized to celebrate the rites of marriage; under current law, such entry is mandatory. Finally, the bill civilly immunizes the clerk of any circuit court from a cause of action arising from the issuance or rescinding of such order, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 8Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0437)Latest
- Apr 8Approved by Governor Abigail Spanberger-Chapter 437 (effective 7/1/2026)Became Law
- Mar 31Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026To Governor
- Mar 31Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026Minor
- Mar 31Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 30Signed by PresidentMajor
- Mar 30Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB905ER)Major
- Mar 30EnrolledMinor
- Mar 11Senate amendments agreed to by House (73-Y 24-N 0-A)Major
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 10Passed Senate with amendments (24-Y 16-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Engrossed by Senate as amended
- Mar 10Courts of Justice Amendments agreed toMajor
- Mar 10Read third timeMinor
- Mar 9Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Mar 9Rules suspended
- Mar 5Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 5-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Senate committee offered
- Feb 11Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Feb 11Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 10Read third time and passed House (75-Y 22-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 9Engrossed by House as amended
- Feb 9committee amendment agreed toMajor
- Feb 9Read second timeMinor
- Feb 6Read first timeMinor
- Feb 4Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (21-Y 1-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 28Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 1-N)
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 26Assigned HCJ sub: CivilMinor
- Jan 13Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Jan 13Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104636DIntroduced