Neither my fiance nor I are very religious, but his family sort of is. His grandparents were once missionaries. We don't want religion to play a key part in the ceremony, meaning we don't want a church or pastor or anything like that.. We thought, however, that it might be a nice compromise to have his dad officiate. His dad understands our views, but teaches Sunday school and would be able to incorporate enough to please the rest of the relatives.
Is this possible in the state of VA? What would we have to do to make it legal? We live in Chesapeake, but would more than likely have the wedding in Virginia Beach or Norfolk.
2007-08-13 07:44:07 · 8 answers · asked by navysgurl09 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
When I said his grandparents were missionaries, I only meant to point out just how religious some members of his family are.
2007-08-13 07:52:11 · update #1
He would have to be licensed to perform wedding in the state of VA. No one can do a wedding in the state without a license. I work in a church and we do tons of weddings and get calls with questions all the time. If he is not a minister, he would have to perform a civil ceremony. Just about anyone can fill out the forms and go before a judge and become a justice of the peace. Most judges do make you put up money for a bond though, but it may be waved if he just wants to marry you. I just read the other answers, he does not have to be an ordained minister. He can do a civil ceremony as a justice of the peace. I live in VA.
2007-08-13 07:52:13 · answer #1 · answered by tan0301 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check out the rules at the court house. Some states allow Notaries to marry people. Becoming a notary is not that difficult. Or else you can contact a law firm and see if they have any notaries who would be willing to marry you. Again, check what the state allows.
Sometimes Judges from a court house are willing to go to an outdoor wedding. We had one but this is Texas.
2007-08-15 04:31:20 · answer #2 · answered by Mom of 2 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I live in FL and we just had to make sure whomever married us was an ordain minster or notary. My brother-in-law just so happened to have his ordain minster license. Neither my husband nor I are religious either. I just looked for some vows online and switched around some wording and put some of my own words in there and it was about 8 min ceremony. Perfect for us.
2007-08-13 07:51:24 · answer #3 · answered by Butterfly 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to contact the state authorities to see what is required to be able to officiate. In some places, you need only be a notary public, but it changes upon where you live.
2007-08-13 09:14:03 · answer #4 · answered by Lydia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Missionary" isn't a legal category for purposes of marriage. If the former missionary was ordained (i.e. is a licensed clergyman) then you're in business. Otherwise you need a Justice of the Peace, the local mayor, or the captain of one of the many ships in your area to perform the civil ceremony legally.
2007-08-13 07:49:03 · answer #5 · answered by Isidore Ducasse 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Just find a justice of the peace to come out and perform the service for you. Call your local court house with a listing of judges that perform that service for you. It won't cost that much. Just remember to tip him when your signing your marriage license.
2016-05-17 04:15:18 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't know if one can "officiate a wedding" but one may be able to officiate AT a wedding
2007-08-13 07:52:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.ulc.net
Check that site out.
Congrats!
2007-08-14 04:35:20 · answer #8 · answered by Terri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋