Email WV Code

Email: Chapter 48, Article 2, Section 601

PART VI. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

§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.