
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 14, 1992                   TAG: 9203140343
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A5   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FAIRFAX                                LENGTH: Short

FAIRFAX REVAMPS CIVIL MARRIAGE SYSTEM

Fairfax Chief Circuit Judge Richard Jamborsky is overhauling the civil marriage system in the county after reports some couples were overcharged by $100 or more for civil services.

The county's appointed celebrants, the equivalent of a justice of the peace, have a state-mandated fee of $20.

But The Washington Post reported last month that many of them charged up to $125, saying the extra fees were for travel expenses.

Jamborsky said he sent letters to the 11 active and three inactive celebrants forbidding charges above $20.

"For many of you, your incomes will be substantially reduced. Some of you may wish to submit your resignations," the letter said.

The county estimates 2,500 couples were married in Fairfax last year. The county has the most marriages in the state, Jamborsky said.

Jamborsky said the $20 fee is "archaic," but said it will stand unless the General Assembly makes a change. Jamborsky said the Fairfax Bar Association is considering recommending raising the fee in next year's General Assembly session.

Jamborsky said he would like to appoint as many as 54 new celebrants, six in each of the nine magisterial districts across the county.

Couples would be encouraged to use the courthouse rather than asking celebrants to travel to perform the ceremony.

"The publicity and allegations that some celebrants were simply fee gouging under the cloak of reimbursable expenses accelerated our work and has resulted in the solution which we present today," Jamborsky said.

"Our solution is not ideal. All those couples who were seeking a romantic, traditional wedding, using a civil celebrant, will be disappointed."

by CNB