Virginia Marriage License Laws > VA Wedding Officiants

Marriage license Laws in the state of Virginia, here is what you need to bring with you, and what you need to know about the Virginia marriage laws before filling out the Virginia marriage license form.

In order to get married, you need to apply and receive a marriage license. This is the document in your state that allows you to officially tie the knot under the law. The rules for acquiring your marriage license varies from state to state, so you should check with your city's marriage bureau at your clerk of court's office to find out what your local rules are.

You'll typically need to apply for your marriage license at least one month before your wedding ceremony. You'll traditionally need to send in your birth certificates, tax information, and other official documents. You don't, however, want to apply for your marriage license too early. In some states, the licenses do expire, if you don't get married within a few months.

When you apply for your license, you'll not only need a proof of identification and age, but you'll need to apply for the certificate together, will need to provide any information about previous marriages, and will need to pay a nominal fee. You will also need to have a witness when you sign the application, so plan on bringing your maid of honor or best man with you. The bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. You'll have to write that name on the application.

And, believe it or not, just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail does not mean you are officially married. You need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. On your wedding day, you'll give your chaplain your marriage license, then after the ceremony, he'll sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation.

ID Requirement: Valid picture ID and a certified copy of a Birth Certificate must be presented.

A license for marriage in Virginia is issued by the clerk, or his deputy, of the circuit of the county or independent city of which either the bride or groom is a resident; or if neither the bride nor groom is a resident of Virginia, the license may be obtained in any county or city. In either case the ceremony may be performed elsewhere in the State. Applicants must, under oath, furnish information, required to complete the marriage record. These items are material matters, and the applicant may be subject to prosecution for perjury for violation of the portion of the statues which requires this information.

If Previously Married: If divorced there is no statutory waiting period before remarriage after the divorce is granted, unless remarriage is specifically prohibited by a court. In some cases, clerks may require documentary proof of age or termination of a previous marriage. Most of the offices of the clerks are closed on Saturday

Residency Requirement: Do not have to be a resident of Virginia
• No license issued to Out of State couples who are under the age of sixteen.

Application Requirement: Both the bride and groom must appear in person at the time of applying.

Fees: $30 - The justice of the peace is by donation only. He or she may be permitted to charge up to $30 for each couple getting married.

Waiting Period: No waiting period.

Blood Tests: No blood test requirement.

Under 18: The minimum age for marriage in the State of Virginia is sixteen years for both bride and groom; however, if either party is under eighteen, consent to the marriage must be given by the father, mother, or legal guardian. This may be done personally by the parent or legal guardian before the person issuing the license, or by a written consent properly sworn to before a notary public. Special provisions are made in Virginia law to allow marriage for underage parties when the female is pregnant and for situations in which underage applicants have no parent or legal guardian.

Marriage Ceremony: A minister of any denomination. The minister must produce proof with the religious society. Also, persons appointed by the court may perform the ceremonies. These such persons are called a Justice of the Peace.

The officiator signs and completes the Marriage Register and both forms are returned to the clerk within five days. Then forwarded to the State Division of Vital Records. The couple receives a marriage certificate.

Prohibited Marriages:
• A marriage entered prior to the dissolution of an earlier marriage of one of the parties.

• A marriage between an ancestor and descendant; or between a brother/sister, uncle/niece, and aunt/nephew, whether the relationship is by half-blood, whole blood, or adoption.

• When either of the parties lacks capacity to consent to the marriage because of mental incapacity or infirmity.

• A marriage between two persons of the same sex.

• "Common law" marriages are not valid if entered into Virginia or any other jurisdiction which does not permit them for its residents.

Officiants: Ordained ministers residing in this state may perform marriages. Non-resident ordained ministers may perform marriages with the permission of the probate court of the district within which the marriage is to take place. Ministers must complete the marriage license and certificate of marriage and return it to the clerk's office from which it was issued within ten days from the date of the marriage.

Miscellaneous: There is no statutory requirement that witnesses be present at the marriage ceremony.

Valid: License is valid for 60 days.
The license can only be used within the State of Virginia.

Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.

It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans.

Virginia County Clerk's Office

Isle Of Wight Clerk Isle of Wight, VA 757. 365. 6233	King & Queen County Clerk Court House, VA 804. 769. 5010	King George County Clerk King George, VA 540. 775. 3322
King William County King William, VA 804. 769. 4936	Loudoun County Clerk Leesburg, VA 703. 777. 0270	Louisa County Clerk Louisa, VA 540. 967. 5312
Lunenburg Clerk Of Court Lunenburg, VA 804. 696. 2230	Lynchburg Clerk Of Court Lynchburg, VA 804. 847. 1590	Madison County Clerk Madison, VA 540. 948. 6888
Martinsville County Clerk Martinsville, VA 540. 656. 5109	Mathews County Clerk Matthews, VA 804. 725. 2550	Mecklenburg County Clerk Boydton, VA 804. 738. 6191
Middlesex County Clerk Saluda, VA 804. 758. 5317	Montgomery County Clerk Christiansburg, VA 540. 382. 5760	Nelson County Clerk Lovingston, VA 804. 263. 4069
New Kent County Clerk New Kent, VA 804. 966. 9520	Newport News Clerk Newport News, VA 757. 926. 8561	Norfolk County Clerk Norfolk, VA 757. 664. 4380
N. Hampton County Clerk Eastville, VA 757. 678. 0465	Northumberland County Clerk Heathsville, VA 804. 580. 3700	Nottoway County Clerk Nottoway, VA 804. 645. 9043
Orange County Clerk Orange, VA 540. 672. 4066	Page County Clerk Luray, VA 540. 743. 4064	Patrick County Clerk Stuart, VA 540. 694. 7213
Petersburg City Clerk Petersburg, VA 804. 733. 2367	Pittsylvania County Clerk Chatham, VA 804. 432. 7845	Portsmouth City Clerk Portsmouth, VA 757. 393. 8671
Powhatan County Clerk Powhatan, VA 804. 598. 5660	Prince Edward County Clerk Farmville, VA 804. 392. 5145	Prince George County Clerk Prince George, VA 804. 733. 2640
Prince William County Clerk Manassas, VA 703. 792. 6045	Pulaski County Clerk Pulaski, VA 540. 980. 7825	Radford County Clerk Radford, VA 540. 731.3610
Rappahannock County Clerk Washington, VA 540. 675. 3621	Richmond City Clerk Richmond, VA 804. 464. 6767	Richmond County Clerk Warsaw, VA 804. 333. 3781
Roanoke City County Clerk Roanoke City, VA 540. 853. 6702	Roanoke County Clerk Salem, VA 540. 387. 6205	Rockbridge County Clerk Lexington, VA 540. 463. 2644
Rockingham County Clerk Harrisonburg, VA 540. 564. 3110	Russell County Clerk Lebanon, VA 703. 889. 8023	Scott County Clerk Gate City, VA 540. 386. 3801
Shenandoah County Clerk Woodstock, VA 540. 459. 6150	Smyth County Clerk Marion, VA 540. 783. 7186	S. Boston County Clerk Halifax, VA 804. 476. 6211
S. Hampton County Clerk Courtland, VA 804. 653. 2200	Spotsylvania County Clerk Spotsylvania, VA 540. 582. 7090	Stafford County Clerk Stafford, VA 540. 658. 8750
Staunton City Clerk Staunton, VA 540. 332. 3874	Suffolk County Clerk Suffolk, VA 757. 925. 6458	Surry County Clerk Surry, VA 757. 294. 3161
Sussex County Clerk Sussex, VA 804. 246. 5511	Tazewell County Clerk Tazewell, VA 703. 988. 7541	Virginia Beach County Clerk Virginia Beach, VA 757. 427. 4181
Warren County Clerk Front Royal, VA 540. 635. 2435	Washington County Clerk Abingdon, VA 540. 676. 6224	Waynesboro County Clerk Waynesboro, VA 540. 942. 6616
Westmoreland County Clerk Montross, VA 804. 493. 0108	Williamsburg-James County Williamsburg, VA 757. 229. 2552	Wise County Clerk Wise, VA 540. 328. 6111
Wythe County Clerk Wytheville, VA 540. 223. 6050	York County Clerk Yorktown, VA 757, 890. 3350

Order Vital Records Online! certified copies of Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce certificates, for events which occurred within the state of Virginia.