Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Virginia

Freedom Of Religion/ Civil Rights question, Virginia.

I was recently ordained by a certified church online, and after I contacted my city to check on the protocol to perform marriages. They told me since my ordination was awarded online that they cannot award me with the certification to perform marriages. After a little research I found that this was an unconstitutional stance, as they cannot discriminate towards or against how a church operates.

Could you provide any insight on this matter? I'm afraid I've never ventured this territory before.

Thanks for any information available.


Asked on 1/22/11, 6:10 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

First of all, you should clarify who exactly was the "they" that informed you of this policy. And, if it was any lesser personage that the clerk of the circuit court, then you should return to the courthouse to speak with this person regarding this matter. And, bring along for good measure a copy of Va. Code Sec. 20-23 which describes who may lawfully perform the

rites of marriage in the Commonwealth.

But if, per chance, the clerk herself should merely parrot what the others have

also supposedly told you, then be prepared to write a letter to the chief

judge of this circuit court requesting an explanation of the court's current policy

on this matter and include a copy of the referenced statute which says nothing

about ministers ordained online as being ineligible to perform marriages in the

Commonwealth.

Read more
Answered on 2/07/11, 2:22 pm


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