HB 905 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Persons other than ministers who may perform rites of marriage; clerk may issue order.

Summary

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.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 8, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill has been formally enacted into law as Chapter 437 of the 2026 Virginia Acts of Assembly. The substantive text regarding marriage officiants remains identical to the previous version, but the document now includes official approval dates and chapter numbers.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability are unchanged; the text defining who can perform marriages and the requirements for doing so are identical to the previous version.

TECHNICAL

The document was converted from a draft 'Enrolled' version to a final 'Chaptered' version, adding official approval dates, chapter numbers, and session headers, while retaining the original legislative text.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Mar 9, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 8, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 437 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB905ER)

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Senate amendments agreed to by House (73-Y 24-N 0-A)

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate with amendments (24-Y 16-N 0-A)

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Engrossed by Senate as amended

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 5-N)

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate committee offered

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (75-Y 22-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Introduced

Engrossed by House as amended

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

committee amendment agreed to

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (21-Y 1-N)

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 1-N)

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Assigned HCJ sub: Civil

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors