How do I get a marriage license?

Clerk of the Circuit Court (circuit court level - Virginia has 31 judicial circuits serving 95 counties and 38 independent cities; each county and independent city has its own Circuit Court Clerk)

Step by Step

How to do it

Many Circuit Court Clerks use a kiosk or computer system for the application; both applicants appear together; arrive well before closing time (many offices stop processing marriage licenses 30-60 minutes before closing; Charlottesville: arrive by 4:15 PM; Alexandria: arrive by 3:30 PM)
Both applicants complete the application (often at a kiosk or online pre-entry) and take an oath before the Clerk's staff; present valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
Pay the $30 fee; license issued immediately - NO waiting period; can marry same day
License valid for 60 CALENDAR DAYS; the marriage must take place in Virginia within 60 days; if not used within 60 days, a new license must be obtained at full fee (no refunds)
Officiant requirements: ALL persons performing marriages in Virginia must be authorized by a Virginia Circuit Court - either: (a) a minister authorized under Virginia Code § 20-23, OR (b) a civil celebrant authorized under Virginia Code § 20-25; out-of-state ministers MUST register with a Virginia Circuit Court before performing any Virginia ceremony; performing a marriage without court authorization is a misdemeanor
Certified copies of the marriage certificate: available from the issuing Circuit Court Clerk for $2.50 per copy; also available from the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records (fees as noted below); certified copies available at VA DMV for $17

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid, UNEXPIRED government-issued photo ID for both applicants (driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID); out-of-state IDs accepted
Names of parents including mother's maiden name for both applicants
Date of any prior divorce (if previously divorced); some clerks request the certified divorce decree
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old; Virginia prohibited minor marriage as of July 1, 2016 (raised from 16 to 18); emancipated minors with court order may apply; contact Clerk for details

Fee

$30 statewide (set by state law; Code of Virginia § 20-14 establishes maximum of $75; most Clerks charge $30; Lynchburg: $32.50 includes certified copy); credit card usually accepted with 2-4% convenience fee; cash usually preferred; check policies vary

Waiting Period

NONE - license effective immediately LICENSE VALIDITY: 60 CALENDAR DAYS; marriage must occur in Virginia OFFICIANT: Must be Virginia-authorized; out-of-state ministers must register with a Virginia Circuit Court; civil celebrants also available; performing unauthorized ceremony is a misdemeanor CERTIFIED COPY: $2.50 from issuing Clerk; also through VDH ($15 effective July 1, 2026) or DMV ($17) ARRIVE EARLY: Most clerks stop processing 30-60 minutes before closing; check specific courthouse WHERE TO GO: Circuit Court Clerk in any Virginia county or independent city (133 offices)

Where to Go

Circuit Court Clerk in any Virginia county or independent city (133 offices)

Virginia Notes

Important state-specific details

Virginia prohibits marriage under age 18 (as of July 1, 2016).
NO waiting period; 60-day validity; marriage MUST take place in Virginia.
Officiant authorization: every officiant must be authorized by a Virginia Circuit Court - this is unusual nationally and catches out-of-state ministers off guard; out-of-state ministers must register with a VA Circuit Court.
Common law marriage: Virginia does NOT recognize common law marriage (for marriages entered after January 1, 1888).
INDEPENDENT CITIES: Virginia's 38 independent cities have their own Circuit Courts separate from any county; ensure you go to the correct jurisdiction.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records (marriage records) - vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records | (804) 662-6200 | P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218; Circuit Court Clerk (varies by jurisdiction)