West Virginia

§48-2-402. Qualifications of religious representative for celebrating marriages; registry of persons authorized to perform marriage ceremonies; special revenue fund.

(a) Beginning the first day of September, two thousand one, the secretary of state shall, upon payment of the registration fee established by the secretary of state pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, make an order authorizing a person who is a religious representative to celebrate the rites of marriage in all the counties of the state, upon proof that the person:

(1) Is eighteen years of age or older;

(2) Is duly authorized to perform marriages by his or her church, synagogue, spiritual assembly or religious organization; and

(3) Is in regular communion with the church, synagogue, spiritual assembly or religious organization of which he or she is a member.

(b) The person shall give bond in the penalty of one thousand five hundred dollars, with surety approved by the commission. Any religious representative who gives proof before the county commission of his or her ordination or authorization by his or her respective church, synagogue, spiritual assembly or religious organization is exempt from giving the bond.

(c) The secretary of state shall establish a central registry of persons authorized to celebrate marriages in this state. Every person authorized under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section to celebrate marriages shall be listed in this registry. Every county clerk shall, prior to the first day of October, two thousand one, transmit to the secretary of state the name of every person authorized to celebrate marriages by order issued in his or her county since one thousand nine hundred sixty and the secretary of state shall include these names in the registry. The completed registry and periodic updates shall be transmitted to every county clerk.

(d) A fee not to exceed twenty-five dollars may be charged by the secretary of state for each registration received on or after the first day of September, two thousand one, and all money received shall be deposited in a special revenue revolving fund designated the "Marriage Celebrants Registration Fee Administration Fund" in the state treasury to be administered by the secretary of state. Expenses incurred by the secretary in the implementation and operation of the registry program shall be paid from the fund.

(e) No marriage performed by a person authorized by law to celebrate marriages may be invalidated solely because the person was not listed in the registry provided for in this section.

(f) The secretary of state shall promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section.

Registration of Ministers Authorized to Perform Marriages In West Virginia

State Registration

In 2001, the West Virginia Legislature adopted S. B. 59, establishing provisions for the registration of religious representatives to be authorized to perform marriages in any county in West Virginia.

The provisions replaced previous requirements for registration with the county clerk, however approval of the bond or exemption from the bonding requirement was left with the county commission.

Requirements for Registration

1.  Proof of Age

The registrant must be 18 years of age or older, and may show proof using a birth certificate, driver license, passport or military ID.

2. Proof of Authority

The registrant must be:

·         duly authorized to perform marriages by his or her church, synagogue, spiritual assembly or religious organization; and

·         in regular communion with that group of which he or she is a member.

3.  Bond

The bonding requirement is waived if the registrant gives proof before the county commission of his or her ordination or similar formal authorization by the religious organization.

A bond of $1,500 with surety approved by the county commission, is required if the formal ordination or similar authorization is not provided.  

Registry

The Secretary of State established a registry of all persons authorized to perform marriages.

County clerks in the 55 counties forwarded to the Secretary of State the names persons authorized since 1960  to perform marriages for inclusion in the registry.  The Secretary of State provided the completed registry and provides periodic updates back to the county clerks.

Application:  To be placed on the Statewide Registry

• Download the form using the Acrobat Reader (see Acrobat Reader Help if you have not used this program before) or e-mail your request for an application form.
  
  Application in order to be placed on the Statewide Registry of 
  persons authorized to perform marriages in West Virginia
  
• Complete the application form online and print.  Be sure the application is properly signed.
• If you are unable to provide documentation for authorization (question 1), obtain a surety bond in the amount of $1,500.
• Mail or deliver your completed application and bond form, if applicable, with a fee of $25.  See Ordering & Payment.

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