WatchGov

Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia HB 905

Persons other than ministers who may perform rites of marriage; clerk may issue order.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Summary

Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED

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. 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.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:04 PM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Mar 11, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 10, 2026
Senate		Passage RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 9, 2026
Senate		Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading)passSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 5, 2026
Senate		Reported from Courts of Justice with amendmentspassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 10, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 4, 2026
House		Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s)passSet your home in Virginia to see
Jan 28, 2026
House		Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)passSet your home in Virginia to see

Actions