One-Time Civil Celebrant

Individuals wanting to perform a wedding ceremony in the Commonwealth of Virginia must receive authorization through the court, prior to performing the ceremony, pursuant to Virginia Code §20-25. Authorization will be on a one-time basis only. The authorization is only valid for a Virginia-issued marriage license and for a ceremony located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Please allow 5-7 days prior to the ceremony for the authorization and bonding process.

Petition to Perform a One-Time Civil Marriage Ceremony*

*If PDF is not fillable when opened in browser, please download and use Adobe Reader, Adobe Acrobat or other PDF program to complete the form before printing. These forms are also available on a public workstation in the Clerk’s Office for completion and printing.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age or older.
• Must execute a $500.00 bond without surety. Signed after the Court authorizes the petition.
• Must reside in the 26th Judicial Circuit
  • Includes Clarke, Frederick, Harrisonburg, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren and Winchester

Filing Requirements:

• The petition and cover sheet must be typed. Form is available in our office for completion and printing. If printing at home, please print each page separately, do not print double-sided. 
• Bring a valid photo ID with you.
• There is a $61.00 filing fee payable at the time of filing the petition. We accept cash, checks, money orders and credit cards. All credit card transactions will include a 4% surcharge.

Additional Forms

Request to Waive Bond - Please note that our court uses bonds without surety so no cash is required for the bond. 

Minister/Religious Authorization

Every minister must be “registered” in the state of Virginia in order to perform marriages within the Commonwealth. Registration of a minster is completed through the circuit court in which a minister's license or papers of ordination are produced and an order authorizing such person to celebrate the rites of matrimony is entered,  pursuant to Virginia Code §20-23. No bond is required pursuant to the Code of Virginia. 

Ministers residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia - Affidavit and Order Authorizing Minister to Perform Marriage Ceremony Under § 20-23* 

Out-of-State Ministers - Affidavit and Order Authorizing Out-of-State Minister to Perform a One-Time Marriage Ceremony Under §20-23*

*Both affidavits are Word templates and will download to complete.  Form is available in our office for completion and printing. If printing at home, please print each page separately, do not print double-sided. 

Filing Requirements:

• The affidavit must be typed. Information entered on the affidavit will automatically be added to the order that the clerk will sign to grant authorization.
• There is a $36.00 filing fee payable at the time of filing the affidavit. We accept cash, checks, money orders and credit cards. All credit cardDone Editing transactions will include a 4% surcharge. Checks can be made payable to Clerk of Court. 
• For out-of-state ministers, authorization is only valid for 2 days prior to stated wedding date and two days after stated wedding date. You will need to reapply for authorization if the wedding date changes to a date outside the authorization period as the authorization does terminate after the 5-day window. 

Affidavit, required supporting documentation and order can be filed in person in our Civil Division or can be mailed with a check payable to Clerk of Court or a money order to: Rockingham County Circuit Court, 80 Court Square, Harrisonburg, VA 22802.