West Virginia Marriage Laws | § 48-2-601

West Virginia Code 48-2-601

Belief of parties in lawful marriage validates certain defects.

If a marriage is solemnized by a person professing to be authorized to celebrate marriages when, in fact, the person is not authorized, or if a marriage is solemnized after the license is expired, the marriage is not void and subject to a judgment of nullity based on that fact alone if: (1) The marriage is lawful in all other respects, and (2) The marriage is consummated with a full belief on the part of either or both of the persons married that they have been lawfully joined in marriage.

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More West Virginia Marriage Laws

§ 48-2-504 Failure to endorse and return license; penalties.
§ 48-2-401 Persons authorized to perform marriages.
§ 48-2-402 Qualifications of religious representative for celebrating marriages; registry of persons authorized to perform marriage ceremonies; special revenue fund.
§ 48-2-701 Premarital education encouraged; requirements.
§ 48-2-406 Federal judges authorized to perform marriages.
§ 48-2-702 Marriage education fund.
§ 48-2-101 Necessity of marriage license.
§ 48-2-102 Where an application for a marriage license may be made; when an application may be received and a license issued; application by mail.
§ 48-2-104 Contents of the application for a marriage license.
§ 48-2-105 Execution of the application for a marriage license.
§ 48-2-303 Prohibition against marriage not to include persons related by adoption.
§ 48-2-107 Recording an application for a marriage license.
§ 48-2-201 Form of marriage license.
§ 48-2-202 Endorsement and return of licenses by persons solemnizing marriage; duties of clerk pertaining thereto.
§ 48-2-203 Register of marriages.
§ 48-2-204 Record of marriage celebrated outside of state.
§ 48-2-302 Prohibition against marriage of persons related within certain degrees.
§ 48-2-403 Ritual for ceremony of marriage by a religious representative.
§ 48-2-404 Ritual for ceremony of marriage by a judge or justice.
§ 48-2-405 Record of marriage to be kept by person officiating.
§ 48-2-501 Unlawful acts by clerk of the county commission; penalties.
§ 48-2-502 Issuing marriage license contrary to law; penalty.
§ 48-2-503 Consanguineous marriage; penalty.
§ 48-2-505 Unlawful solicitation of a celebration of marriage.
§ 48-2-601 Belief of parties in lawful marriage validates certain defects.
§ 48-2-602 Marriage out of state to evade law.
§ 48-2-603 Certain acts, records, and proceedings not to be given effect in this state.
§ 48-2-103 Waiting period before issuance of marriage license; issuance of license in case of emergency or extraordinary circumstances.
§ 48-2-106 Proof of age.
§ 48-2-301 Age of consent for marriage; exception.