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Please Click Here to downlaod the form required.  Below are requirements that should be followed.

MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS

Plan well in advance and respect pre-marital Islamic ethics and rules, like those regarding chaperoning by mahram (guardian), physical contact, dating and seclusion, etc.

Sisters planning to get married must have a wali (male guardian/representative) to help in the selection and screening of the future partner, and facilitate the marriage process and subsequent issues.

Previously married individuals must have completed the necessary steps before being eligible for a new marriage (completing the ‘iddah or waiting period, finalizing divorce proceedings and documentation, etc.)

Arrange to meet the Imam as soon as possible to discuss the marriage plans.

Get a (preliminary) marriage license from a circuit court in Virginia no more than 60 days before your marriage. Both future husband and wife must be present at the circuit court with some form of ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) and will be given forms and pertinent information. The Imam, who is commissioned by the state of Virginia to perform marriages, will at the time of the Islamic marriage complete the procedure as a religious marriage and send the license back to the clerk of the circuit court who will then update the information before mailing the completed marriage license to the couple.

All couples will be required to attend pre-marital counseling provided by the Imam. The wali is expected to attend the first session, but subsequent sessions may be conducted without his presence. All sessions are as per appointment and are usually 30 to 40 minutes long. In addition, couples are advised to meet with an attorney and draw up a prenuptial agreement as well as have a full medical check-up (for HIV, STDs, etc.).

The Islamic marriage ceremony (nikah) will only take place (usually at the ICVA) upon the completion of the necessary pre-requisites like counseling, agreement of dowry (mahr) and fulfillment of all other conditions. No marriage will be conducted without the above essential pre-requisites.

An Islamic marriage certificate/contract (‘aqd nikah) will be drawn up by the Imam upon consultation with the couple and wali. The ‘aqd is a legal document and will be issued on the day of marriage, duly witnessed, dated, stamped and signed by the imam, husband, wife, wali and two witnesses appointed prior to the marriage from the family or friends of the couple.

All marriages will be conducted at the discretion of the Imam and will incur a fee of a minimum of $200 for marriages performed at the ICVA and $300 minimum for anywhere else in Greater Richmond. (Fees for marriage counseling vary.)