REQUIREMENTS AND AUTHORIZATION PROCESS TO PERFORM WEDDING CEREMONIES VIRGINIA CLERGY Clergy must be affiliated with a local church in Fairfax County to be considered for authorization to perform wedding ceremonies in the Commonwealth of Virginia, pursuant to the Code of Virginia § 20-23. The Clerk’s office must receive the following items to initiate the authorization process: 1. Completed petition and questionnaire (see next screen). Petition and questionnaire can be filled in and printed. Signatures must be notarized. Please insure that the print button on the PDF form is used and not the Windows print button. 2. A copy of the clergy’s ordination certificate or local religious license. If a certificate of ordination is not available, a notarized letter stating when and where ordination took place will suffice. If religious society does not require ordination, a letter of explanation must accompany the submitted documents. 3. A notarized letter on official stationery, signed by an official of the clergy’s local religious society, stating that the prospective celebrant is in good standing with the religious sector. Clerk’s fee is $29.00. Petition and required documents, accompanied by the Clerk’s fee (money order or cashier check made out to the Clerk of Fairfax Circuit), should be mailed to: Fairfax County Circuit Court Attn: Civil Intake, Room 302 4110 Chain Bridge Road Fairfax, VA 22030 If hand delivered, Clerk’s fee must be cash only. Please allow 10 days after receipt for process to be completed. Attempt to notify applicant will be made via phone or e-mail. PS-10 instructions American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkflow.com VIRGINIA IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF FAIRFAX RE: ______________________________ CM-20____-____________ (Petitioner’s Name) (Case number assigned by the court) PETITION TO PERFORM RELIGIOUS MARRIAGE CEREMONIES COMES NOW the petitioner seeking authorization to perform religious marriage ceremonies pursuant to Virginia Code §20-23. Petitioner’s church name: _________________________________________________ Petitioner’s religious denomination: _________________________________________ Petitioner’s church address: ________________________________________________ (Street Number, Street Name) _______________________________________________________________________ (City, State, Zip Code) Petitioner’s church phone number: ___________________________________________ Petitioner’s home address: __________________________________________________ (Street Number, Street Name) _______________________________________________________________________ (City, State, Zip Code) Petitioner’s home phone number: ____________________________________________ Petitioner’s email address: _________________________________________________ _____________________________ Signature of Petitioner COMMONWEALTH/STATE OF______________________ CITY/COUNTY OF ________________________________ I, the undersigned Notary Public in and for the above, do hereby certify that before me appeared ________________________, whose name is signed to the foregoing Petition and acknowledged the same under oath before me. Given under my hand and seal this ______ day of _______________, 20_____. Notary Registration Number:____________ My Commission Expires: ______________ PS-10 ____________________________________ Notary Public Rev. 7/12/2007 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkflow.com RELIGIOUS QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE* 1. a. Church’s Name: Address: Phone Number: b. Are you serving as the minister of your congregation? c. How long have you been a minister? d. Is your tenure for a definite period? If so, state the length of your term. e. How many other ministers are appointed to your church? 2. Describe in detail your credentials for being a minister (i.e., schooling, degree, seminars, etc.). 3. Describe the requirements your organization places on becoming an ordained minister (i.e. time requirements, schooling, training, etc.). 4. How do your responsibilities differ from those of the members of the congregation? 5. List the privileges and benefits derived from your ordination (i.e. perform Baptisms, authority to preside over services, etc.). American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkflow.com RELIGIOUS QUALIFICATION QUESTIONNAIRE* -Pg. 2 6. List the documents that regulate the management of your religious organization (i.e. bylaws, charters, directives, rules, etc.). 7. Outline the leadership structure of your organization. Applicant’s Signature County of Commonwealth of Virginia The foregoing instrument was sworn to before me, the undersigned Notary, this Day of , by , applicant. My commission expires: Notary Public *Use attachments if needed 03/16/05 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkflow.com