{"id":72563,"name":"Virginia Beach","state_id":59,"county_id":443,"created_at":"2019-10-03T14:09:08.712-07:00","updated_at":"2023-11-12T09:27:26.292-08:00","meta_description":"Learn about officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in Virginia Beach","head_tag":"A Virginia Beach Guide for Wedding Officiants and Couples","tagline":"It's time for Neptune City nuptials! ","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eBeach Weddings? Weddings on the Beach? Why not do it in Virginia Beach? It\u0026rsquo;s got \u0026ldquo;Beach\u0026rdquo; in its name for goodness sake. In all seriousness, it\u0026rsquo;s a great city, with plenty of ocean-view venues, beachfront parks, and all the fun southern beach charm you\u0026rsquo;d expect from a city like this.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe goal of this page is to bring you up to speed about getting ordained (for the officiant), obtaining a marriage license (for the couple), or knowing more about the marriage process itself (for everyone). Once that\u0026rsquo;s out of the way, we\u0026rsquo;ll cover some tips on making the day as magical as possible, and then send you on your way to get ordained, or plan, or both!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eStep 1: Get Ordained with the American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Virginia marriage law, the following individuals are legally able to officiate and perform a marriage ceremony:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;A minister of any religious denomination must be authorized by a circuit court to celebrate the rites of matrimony. To obtain such authorization, the minister must produce proof of his ordination and regular communion with the religious society of which he is a reputed member. In addition, the court in each city and county has appointed persons who are eligible to perform civil marriage ceremonies. For marriages between persons belonging to any religious society which has no ordained minister, refer to Section 20-26, Code of Virginia, Domestic Relations.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nAs you can see, it\u0026rsquo;s a little more complicated \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003egetting ordained\u003c/a\u003e and performing a wedding in Virginia, but if you follow a few extra steps, it\u0026rsquo;s still possible. The most important part is to start early and make sure that your county clerk accepts your ordination. While they are theoretically forbidden from discriminating between churches, our ministers have encountered discrimination.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are ordained to perform a wedding in\u0026nbsp;Virginia, we will send you a free package containing registration materials, as well as instructions, however, we cannot guarantee that your application will be accepted. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eStep 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Virginia Beach\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you\u0026rsquo;re legally ordained, it\u0026rsquo;s time to prepare for the ceremony. \u0026nbsp;If you have been asked to do this by the bride and groom, we offer a list of great training tools on our website that will have you confident that you can perform a memorable ceremony. We recommend reminding the couple to reach out to their county clerk and make sure they apply for the required paperwork well in advance. The same applies to the minister. \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\r\nThe most important piece of advice we can impart at this point is -- start early, both in terms of registration, and planning.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOur bestselling guide for new officiants \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/store/products/asked-to-officiate\"\u003eAsked to Officiate\u003c/a\u003e holds your hand every step of the way, starting with an important meeting with the couple to discuss what sort of ceremony they want, to rehearsing and delivering the final version on the big day.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eStep 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAlways check the marriage license ahead of time to ensure that it is valid and not expired. You just need to sign the document once you have done the ceremony to make it legal. Once you sign the document, your job is done, and the couple is legally married.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut wait, there\u0026rsquo;s more! The person officiating the marriage must complete and sign the Marriage Register and the Marriage Return and forward both forms to the clerk of the court who issued the license within five (5) days after the ceremony is performed.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003cp\u003eThe couple is responsible for completing the marriage license and presenting it prior to the ceremony.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt is recommended that the couple print off and fill out the form prior to bringing it into the office to apply for a license, as this will save time. The office is located at 2425 Nimmo Parkway.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eRemember to bring these documents with you if you are going to be registering for a marriage license in Virginia Beach:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003ePhoto ID\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$30 marriage license fee\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eVirginia Beach is a busy, tourist-friendly place that offers expansive waters and white sandy beaches. You want to make sure that you plan ahead and find the perfect place for your wedding. With \u003ca href=\"https://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/explore/events/?utm_source=google\u0026amp;utm_medium=cpc\u0026amp;utm_campaign=Events\u0026amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwoKzsBRC5ARIsAITcwXGBMgasai4Aj-zWZGDR-OYbIajO83OAcuSHf4hdIZCu5-Hd7HdcIVsaAui3EALw_wcB\"\u003emany events happening\u003c/a\u003e in the area, you want to ensure you\u0026#39;re not competing with huge crowds -- unless that\u0026rsquo;s your thing. Concerts, festivals, food and drink festivals, markets, and more are always available.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are also a number of venues worth considering, at least to get an idea of what\u0026rsquo;s available.\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"http://countryvilla.com/\"\u003eCountry Villa Weddings\u003c/a\u003e provides an outdoor ceremony space, or you can make use of the inside accommodations that provide a comfortable atmosphere for both the ceremony and reception. \u003ca href=\"https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/the-water-table-virginia-beach/9261a634f6e06386.html\"\u003eThe Water Table\u003c/a\u003e is a unique place to hold your wedding as well, and you can get married right at the edge of the water, while also having a reception in the same location.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe weather in Virginia Beach is beautiful during the spring and summer months, and generally pretty pleasant and cool in the fall. The winter months might be too cold for a beach wedding unless there\u0026rsquo;s a heated and sheltered space.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I have to pay a fee to obtain a marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eYes, there is a $30 fee that is charged to those applying for a marriage license.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs there a waiting period after I apply for the license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no waiting period and you\u0026#39;re able to hold the ceremony as soon as the license is issues.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes my identification have to have a photo on it?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThey do require that your ID have both your photo and birthdate on it for verification purposes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs there a waiting period before I can get married in Virginia Beach if I was divorced recently?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no waiting period before remarriage after the divorce is final under most circumstances. A copy of the divorce decree is not required when applying for a license.​​\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e 2425 Nimmo Parkway\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $30\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e None\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e 60 Days\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e by the minister within 5 days\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}