For Ministers wishing to perform marriages in Virginia, here are instructions and a printable Minister Petition and Religious Qualification Questionnaire.

INSTRUCTIONS TO MINISTERS: Please sign the Petition before a notary to request authorization to perform marriages in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Please attach copies of the appropriate proof of ordination or local minister’s license and proof of your appointment in your denomination.

For your information, marriage licenses issued in Virginia are valid for sixty (60) days from the issue date and marriages must be performed prior to the expiration date of the license. You must complete and sign both copies of the marriage certificate showing the date of your authorization by the Court and the county where you were authorized to celebrate marriages in Virginia. Both copies of the marriage certificate must be returned to the Clerk’s Office issuing the marriage license within five (5) days of the ceremony.

The 20th Circuit Judges do not recognize online ordinations such as the Universal Life Church, American Marriage Ministries or other similar online organizations, pursuant to Cramer v. Commonwealth.

The fee for processing your Petition to celebrate the rites of matrimony is $29.00 payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Fauquier County.

Please refer to Section 20-23 of the Code of Virginia for further information.