Bonds and banns served the same purpose---to make sure that there was no 
impediment to the marriage, such as a former marriage or a blood 
relationship that was considered too close. Either you posted bond or 
you had the banns cried/announced.

Barbara Vines Little, CG
Dominion Research Services
PO Box 1273
Orange, VA 22960

540-832-3473 
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CG, Certified Genealogist, is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under
license by board certified genealogists after periodic evaluation, and the board name is registered in the
US Patent & Trademark Office. 



Mike Poston wrote:
> A colleague asks:
>
> "After 1860, could you avoid paying for a marriage license by having 
> the banns called (assuming your church called banns)?  I can't say 
> that I've ever seen the question addressed, but my impression is that 
> Virginia REQUIRED a license once they quit doing the bonds."
>
> My initial reaction was that publishing/crying the banns was quite 
> separate from the civil requirements for marriage (license/marriage 
> bonds/or what-have-you), but I simply don't know. Any thoughts?
>
> Mike Poston
> Rockville, Maryland
>
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