{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/20-31.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/20-31.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/20-31.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/20-31.html"}],"law_id":353644,"edition_id":2,"section_id":353644,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-31","catch_line":"Belief of parties in lawful marriage validates certain defects","history":"Code 1919, \u00a7 5082.","full_text":"No marriage solemnized under a license issued in this Commonwealth by any person professing to be authorized to solemnize the same shall be deemed or adjudged to be void, nor shall the validity thereof be in any way affected on account of any want of authority in such person, or any defect, omission or imperfection in such license, if the marriage be in all other respects lawful, and be consummated with a full belief on the part of the persons so married, or either of them, that they have been lawfully joined in marriage.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1317534,"text":"No marriage solemnized under a license issued in this Commonwealth by any person professing to be authorized to solemnize the same shall be deemed or adjudged to be void, nor shall the validity thereof be in any way affected on account of any want of authority in such person, or any defect, omission or imperfection in such license, if the marriage be in all other respects lawful, and be consummated with a full belief on the part of the persons so married, or either of them, that they have been lawfully joined in marriage.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":50625,"edition_id":2,"name":"Marriage Generally","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50619,"metadata":{"child_laws":29,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:16","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:49","permalink":{"id":1405177,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50625,"identifier":"2","token":"20\/2","url":"\/20\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50619,"edition_id":2,"name":"Domestic Relations","identifier":"20","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":56,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":329,"child_structures":36},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:08","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:49","permalink":{"id":1405077,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50619,"identifier":"20","token":"20","url":"\/20\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":353545,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-13","catch_line":"License and solemnization required","url":"\/20-13\/","token":"20\/2\/20-13","metadata":false},{"id":353543,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-13.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-13.1\/","token":"20\/2\/20-13.1","metadata":false},{"id":353544,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-13.2","catch_line":"Marriage lawful regardless of sex, gender, or race of parties","url":"\/20-13.2\/","token":"20\/2\/20-13.2","metadata":false},{"id":353548,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-14","catch_line":"By whom license to be issued","url":"\/20-14\/","token":"20\/2\/20-14","metadata":false},{"id":353546,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-14.1","catch_line":"Duration of license; issuance of additional licenses","url":"\/20-14.1\/","token":"20\/2\/20-14.1","metadata":false},{"id":353547,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-14.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-14.2\/","token":"20\/2\/20-14.2","metadata":false},{"id":353590,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-15","catch_line":"Tax on license","url":"\/20-15\/","token":"20\/2\/20-15","metadata":false},{"id":353602,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-16","catch_line":"Issuance of marriage licenses and marriage certificates","url":"\/20-16\/","token":"20\/2\/20-16","metadata":false},{"id":353601,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-16.1","catch_line":"Clerk authorized to amend marriage records","url":"\/20-16.1\/","token":"20\/2\/20-16.1","metadata":false},{"id":353613,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-17","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-17\/","token":"20\/2\/20-17","metadata":false},{"id":353632,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-20","catch_line":"Clerk to file license and certificate; indexing names of parties; certified copies as evidence","url":"\/20-20\/","token":"20\/2\/20-20","metadata":false},{"id":353633,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-21","catch_line":"Clerk to furnish attorney for the Commonwealth list of licenses not returned by minister","url":"\/20-21\/","token":"20\/2\/20-21","metadata":false},{"id":353634,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-22","catch_line":"Attorney for the Commonwealth to ascertain before circuit court name of minister failing to return certificates","url":"\/20-22\/","token":"20\/2\/20-22","metadata":false},{"id":353635,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-23","catch_line":"Order authorizing ministers to perform ceremony","url":"\/20-23\/","token":"20\/2\/20-23","metadata":false},{"id":353636,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-24","catch_line":"Penalty for failure to certify record of marriage","url":"\/20-24\/","token":"20\/2\/20-24","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"United States v. O'Shea","case_number":"No. 15-1245","citation":"610 F. App'x 285","date":"2015-07-27","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8694603\/united-states-v-oshea\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"1":{"name":"Jacob Lynn Patterson v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"1909123","citation":"62 Va. App. 488","date":"2013-11-05","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2641294\/jacob-lynn-patterson-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. BEALES, Judge. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"Doe v. Fairfax Cnty. Sch. Bd.","case_number":"1:18-cv-846 (LMB\/TCB)","citation":"384 F. Supp. 3d 598","date":"2019-05-29","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/7336265\/doe-v-fairfax-cnty-sch-bd\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Leonie M. Brinkema, United States District Judge .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"3":{"name":"WTGD 105.1 FM v. SoundExchange, Inc.","case_number":"Civil Action No. 5:14cv00015","citation":"88 F. Supp. 3d 580","date":"2015-02-13","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/7312125\/wtgd-1051-fm-v-soundexchange-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. MEMORANDUM OPINION .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, W.D. Virginia"},"4":{"name":"Joseph Alfonso Papol v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"1765121","citation":"63 Va. App. 150","date":"2014-03-18","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2656977\/joseph-alfonso-papol-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. KELSEY, Judge. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"5":{"name":"Taylor v. Cardiology Clinic, Inc.","case_number":"Case No. 4:14-cv-00046","citation":"195 F. Supp. 3d 865","date":"2016-07-19","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/7321104\/taylor-v-cardiology-clinic-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. MEMORANDUM OPINION .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, W.D. Virginia"},"6":{"name":"Tiziano M. Scarabelli, M.D. v. Kenneth Ellenbogen, M.D.","case_number":"0421222","citation":null,"date":"2023-05-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9396014\/tiziano-m-scarabelli-md-v-kenneth-ellenbogen-md\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"7":{"name":"Doud v. Com.","case_number":"100285","citation":"717 S.E.2d 124","date":"2011-09-16","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058000\/doud-v-com\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 717 S.E.2d 124 (2011) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"8":{"name":"John E. Nestler, M.D. v. Tiziano Scarabelli, M.D.","case_number":"0497222","citation":null,"date":"2023-05-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9396017\/john-e-nestler-md-v-tiziano-scarabelli-md\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"9":{"name":"Roop v. Whitt","case_number":"140836","citation":null,"date":"2015-02-26","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2782324\/roop-v-whitt\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT: Lemons, C.J., Goodwyn, Millette, Mims, and .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":353637,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-25","catch_line":"Persons other than ministers who may perform rites","url":"\/20-25\/","token":"20\/2\/20-25","metadata":false},{"id":353638,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-26","catch_line":"Marriage between members of religious society having no minister","url":"\/20-26\/","token":"20\/2\/20-26","metadata":false},{"id":353639,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-27","catch_line":"Fee for celebrating marriage","url":"\/20-27\/","token":"20\/2\/20-27","metadata":false},{"id":353640,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-28","catch_line":"Penalty for celebrating marriage without license","url":"\/20-28\/","token":"20\/2\/20-28","metadata":false},{"id":353641,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-29","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-29\/","token":"20\/2\/20-29","metadata":false},{"id":353642,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-30","catch_line":"Licenses of persons on federal reservations","url":"\/20-30\/","token":"20\/2\/20-30","metadata":false},{"id":353644,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-31","catch_line":"Belief of parties in lawful marriage validates certain defects","url":"\/20-31\/","token":"20\/2\/20-31","metadata":false},{"id":353643,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-31.1","catch_line":"When marriage legitimates children; issue of marriages prohibited by law, etc., legitimate","url":"\/20-31.1\/","token":"20\/2\/20-31.1","metadata":false},{"id":353645,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-32","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-32\/","token":"20\/2\/20-32","metadata":false},{"id":353646,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-33","catch_line":"Penalty for clerk issuing license contrary to law","url":"\/20-33\/","token":"20\/2\/20-33","metadata":false},{"id":353647,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-34","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-34\/","token":"20\/2\/20-34","metadata":false},{"id":353650,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-37","catch_line":"Validation of certain marriages when license issued by clerk of county court","url":"\/20-37\/","token":"20\/2\/20-37","metadata":false},{"id":353648,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-37.1","catch_line":"Validation of certain marriages solemnized outside of Commonwealth","url":"\/20-37.1\/","token":"20\/2\/20-37.1","metadata":false},{"id":353649,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-37.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/20-37.2\/","token":"20\/2\/20-37.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":353642,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-30","catch_line":"Licenses of persons on federal reservations","url":"\/20-30\/","token":"20\/2\/20-30","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":353643,"structure_id":50625,"section_number":"20-31.1","catch_line":"When marriage legitimates children; issue of marriages prohibited by law, etc., legitimate","url":"\/20-31.1\/","token":"20\/2\/20-31.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/20-31\/","history_text":false,"references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1405263,"object_type":"law","relational_id":353644,"identifier":"20-31","token":"20\/2\/20-31","url":"\/20-31\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/20-31\/","token":"20\/2\/20-31","dublin_core":{"Title":"Belief of parties in lawful marriage validates certain defects","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 20-31","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>No marriage solemnized under a license issued in this Commonwealth by any person professing to be authorized to solemnize the same shall be deemed or adjudged to be void, nor shall the validity thereof be in any way affected on account of any want of authority in such person, or any defect, omission or imperfection in such license, if the marriage be in all other respects lawful, and be consummated with a full belief on the part of the persons so married, or either of them, that they have been lawfully joined in marriage.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nBELIEF OF PARTIES IN LAWFUL MARRIAGE VALIDATES CERTAIN DEFECTS (\u00a7 20-31)\n\nNo marriage solemnized under a license issued in this Commonwealth by any person\nprofessing to be authorized to solemnize the same shall be deemed or adjudged to\nbe void, nor shall the validity thereof be in any way affected on account of any\nwant of authority in such person, or any defect, omission or imperfection in\nsuch license, if the marriage be in all other respects lawful, and be\nconsummated with a full belief on the part of the persons so married, or either\nof them, that they have been lawfully joined in marriage.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1919, \u00a7 5082.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}