Will the marriage be valid if it has been solemnized by an authorized person?
Full Question:
I am a resident of Washington. I got married to an Indian last year. We were married in the presence of a priest, who claimed to be authorized under law to solemnize the marriage. Now he turned to be an unauthorized. Is there any issue regarding the validity of our marriage?
12/29/2016 |
Category: Marriage |
State: Washington |
#29116
Answer:
RCW § 26.04.060, provides the law regarding the effect of a marriage before an unauthorized cleric. It reads as follows:
“A marriage solemnized before any person professing to be a minister or a priest, imam, rabbi, or similar official of any religious organization in this state or professing to be an authorized officer thereof, is not void, nor shall the validity thereof be in any way affected on account of any want of power or authority in such person, if such marriage be consummated with a belief on the part of the persons so married, or either of them, that they have been lawfully joined in marriage.”