Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 20-26 (2026)

Marriage between members of religious society having no minister

✓ current as of May 2026

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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.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1974–2026 · leading case: Cramer v. Commonwealth, 202 S.E.2d 911 (Va. 1974).

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Cramer v. Commonwealth, 202 S.E.2d 911 (Va. 1974). · cites it 2× “Accordingly, Code § 20-26 deals with marriage between members of a religious society having no ordained minister as follows: “Marriages between persons belonging to any religious society which has no ordained minister, may be solemnized by the persons and in the manner…”

In re Dhanoa, 86 Va. Cir. 373 (Fairfax Cir. Ct. 2013). · cites it 44× “Based on assertions in the Petitions that Sikhism has no ordained ministers and on testimony given by Petitioners at the hearing, the Court determined that these petitions should be construed as being before the Court under Va. Code § 20-26 as applications for “[m] arriage…”

Landes (W.D. Va. 2026). · cites it 14× “¶ 30 (quoting Va. Code Ann. § 20-26 ).) The third, Virginia Code § 20-25, gives any circuit court judge the option to authorize “one or more persons resident in the circuit in which the judge sits” to officiate a particular marriage.”

In re Ginsburg, 372 S.E.2d 387 (Va. 1988). · cites it 4× “Ginsburg obtained authority to celebrate marriages under Code § 20-26, which requires a $500 bond with surety.”

In re Kooiman, 45 Va. Cir. 503 (Fairfax Cir. Ct. 1998). · cites it 4× “Under Virginia Code § 20-26, 2 the Court can certify a member of a religious society, which has no ordained minister, to celebrate the rites of marriage.”

Rodgers v. Fed. Energy Corp., 7 Va. Cir. 247 (Norfolk Cir. Ct. 1985). “4A, "Conflict of Laws, Domicile and Residence," Sections 20-26. Here the contract was made in Virginia but the parties agreed that it was to be performable in Dallas County, Texas.”

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