All Roll Calls
Yes: 249 • No: 69
Sponsored By: Alfonso H. Lopez (Democratic)
Became Law
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.
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3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
The court can authorize a resident of the local circuit to perform marriages after a petition and payment of the clerk’s fees. Before acting, you may have to post a one-time $500 bond, with or without surety, as the clerk directs. The clerk can waive the bond if you qualify for in forma pauperis status. The authorization order can be canceled at any time. No oath is required, and you are not made a state officer.
A circuit court clerk is immune from lawsuits for issuing or canceling an authorization order. This protection does not apply if the clerk acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Judges and many current or former state leaders can perform marriages anywhere in Virginia without an authorization order or bond. This includes judges and justices, district court judges, retired Virginia judges, Virginia members of Congress, members of the General Assembly, and the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. Federal judges and circuit court clerks must be Virginia residents to qualify.
Alfonso H. Lopez
Democratic • House
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 249 • No: 69
House vote • 3/11/2026
Senate amendments agreed to by House
Yes: 73 • No: 24
Senate vote • 3/10/2026
Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/10/2026
Passed Senate with amendments
Yes: 24 • No: 16
Senate vote • 3/9/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/9/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments
Yes: 9 • No: 5
House vote • 2/10/2026
Read third time and passed House
Yes: 75 • No: 22
House vote • 2/4/2026
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s)
Yes: 21 • No: 1
House vote • 1/28/2026
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)
Yes: 7 • No: 1
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0437)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 437 (effective 7/1/2026)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Signed by Speaker
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB905ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Senate amendments agreed to by House (73-Y 24-N 0-A)
Passed Senate with amendments (24-Y 16-N 0-A)
Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
Engrossed by Senate as amended
Read third time
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Rules suspended
Senate committee offered
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 5-N)
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Read third time and passed House (75-Y 22-N 0-A)
Engrossed by House as amended
committee amendment agreed to
Read second time
Read first time
Chaptered
4/8/2026
Enrolled
3/30/2026
Amendment
3/10/2026
Amendment
3/9/2026
Amendment
3/5/2026
Engrossed
2/9/2026
Amendment
2/4/2026
Amendment
1/29/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026
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