How do I get a marriage license?

County Clerk (county level - each of West Virginia's 55 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Both applicants must appear together in person at any WV County Clerk's office during business hours; arrive early enough to complete the process before closing
Complete the marriage license application; both parties sign before the Clerk
Pay the fee; license issued immediately - NO waiting period for applicants 18 or older; license effective immediately upon issuance
License valid for 60 days from date of issue; ceremony must take place within 60 days
Witnesses: West Virginia does NOT require witnesses at the marriage ceremony; this is notable nationally
After the ceremony: the officiant must complete the marriage license and return or mail it to the issuing County Clerk's office; the license becomes the marriage certificate upon return; no specific deadline stated by most counties but prompt return recommended; typically returns within 30 days
Certified copies of the marriage certificate: available from the issuing County Clerk ($5 per copy at Jefferson County; fees vary; typically $5-$12 per copy); also available from WV Vital Registration (see birth certificate file)
PREMARITAL EDUCATION FEE REDUCTION: West Virginia reduces the license fee if applicants submit a valid certificate of completion from a 4-hour premarital education course within the 12 months preceding application:
- Standard fee: $57 (most counties; cash only at some counties)
- Reduced fee with certificate: $37 (approximately $20 discount; same 4-hour education requirement as many other states)
- Certificate must be signed by provider and dated; submitted at time of application

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, birth certificate - original or certified - military ID, passport, voter registration certificate, green card, or visa) for both applicants
Parents' names and birthplaces; mother's maiden name for both applicants
If previously married: date and location of most recent divorce or date of spouse's death; some counties request certified divorce decree if divorced within past 6 months; if widowed within 30 days, certified copy of death certificate may be requested
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old; ages 16-17 require written notarized parental/guardian consent (if divorced parents share custody, both must consent; sole custody requires only that parent's consent); persons 16-17 cannot marry someone more than 4 years older; under 16 requires circuit court order + parental consent

Fee

$57 (most counties; cash only at some counties) - Reduced fee with certificate: $37 (approximately $20 discount; same 4-hour education requirement as many other states) - Certificate must be signed by provider and dated; submitted at time of application

Waiting Period

NONE for adults (18+); license effective immediately; minor applicants (16-17) may have a 2-day waiting period in some interpretations - verify with county Clerk LICENSE VALIDITY: 60 DAYS from date of issue WITNESSES: NOT REQUIRED by West Virginia law (unusual nationally) OFFICIANT RETURN: Officiant must complete and return license to County Clerk; no strict statutory deadline stated in most sources but prompt return expected RELIGIOUS OFFICIALS MUST REGISTER: Ministers and religious representatives must be registered with the WV Secretary of State's office to perform marriages in West Virginia; out-of-state ministers must also register with WV SOS before performing any WV ceremony

Online Option

Most counties require in-person application

Where to Go

County Clerk in any WV county (55 counties)

County-specific variations apply

WV's 55 County Clerks each administer their own marriage license process. Kanawha County (Charleston - largest; state capital), Berkeley County (Martinsburg - Eastern Panhandle, near DC/Maryland), Cabell County (Huntington), Wood County (Parkersburg), Monongalia County (Morgantown - WVU area), and Jefferson County (Charles Town - Eastern Panhandle) are the most active. Many small West Virginia counties are CASH ONLY; call ahead to verify payment methods. Rural WV counties may have very limited hours.

West Virginia Notes

Important state-specific details

NO witnesses required - West Virginia is one of the few states with no legal witness requirement.
Religious officials MUST REGISTER with WV Secretary of State's office - out-of-state ministers must also register; performing unauthorized ceremony is a violation.
Premarital education certificate saves approximately $20.
Common law marriage: West Virginia recognizes common law marriages that were established before January 1, 1968; new common law marriages cannot be established in WV.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

WV Secretary of State (minister registration) - sos.wv.gov | (304) 558-6000; WV Vital Registration (marriage records after filing) - dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/VR | (304) 558-2931; County Clerk (varies by county)