Smyth County, Virginia
To celebrate the rites of marriage in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a person must be authorized to do so by a circuit court within the state. Officiating at a wedding without being authorized by law to do so is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or time in jail, pursuant to Section 20-28 of the Code of Virginia.
Ministers
For ministers who are both serving as the pastoral leader of a bona fide congregation and have been ordained,
licensed, or commissioned to do so, they simply provide their credentials to the Circuit Court Clerk, pursuant to Section 20-23 of the Code of
Virginia, along with a letter from church leaders, on church letterhead, declaring that the applicant is a pastoral leader of their
congregation. Minister “ordinations” easily obtained online are not acceptable credentials. A suggested application form is
available for download here.
Civil
Officiants
Individuals who are not active ministers may apply to become a civil wedding officiant pursuant to Section 20-25 of the
Code of Virginia. They must reside within the 28th Judicial Circuit, which consists of Smyth County, Washington County, or the City of
Bristol, Virginia. Authority may be granted for a one-time ceremony, or more generally. If granted authority, civil wedding
officiants must enter into a bond, securing their faithful performance as such. Interestingly enough, the fees that a civil wedding
officiant may charge are limited by Section 20-27 of the Code of Virginia. A suggested application form is available for download
here.
Are there civil wedding officiants
in Smyth County who are willing to marry folks?
A list of civil wedding officiants in Smyth County is available
here.
What are my responsibilities after
the wedding ceremony?
The wedding officiant completes the information at the bottom of both copies of the marriage license, and
then signs and dates both copies. Within five (5) days of the ceremony, the wedding officiant is charged with the returning both of the
marriage certificate copies to the issuing Clerk’s Office.
What is the “Keepsake Certificate”?
One of the
documents given to a couple when they obtain a marriage license, and one that is likely passed along to the wedding officiant, is an 8.5 X 11
inch “Certificate of Marriage,” printed on antique white paper. Sample
form. Printed in the bottom right-hand corner is a curious
statement “This is not a certified certificate.” While this documentation is not an official or legal document, it can still serve to
commemorate the occasion. As a wedding officiant, you in your discretion may complete the information and provide it to the newlyweds as
a keepsake.
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