First Name: Last Name: VA Wedding Officiants Instant Download!

Marriage Laws United States Virginia

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.

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.

When both couples come into the court to procure the marriage license they received the license at that time to present to the officiant performing the wedding ceremony. You will need to have a marriage celebrant if a civil wedding ceremony is being performed.

ID Requirement: You will need to present valid photo identification such as your driver's license, military ID, state ID, or passport.

Couples with the proper required identification can procure a marriage license any where in the Commonwealth and be married any where in the Commonwealth.

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: Couples procuring a marriage license in the Commonwealth of Virginia do not have to be a resident. Couples with the proper required identification can procure a marriage license any where in the Commonwealth of Virginia and be married any where in the Commonwealth.
•  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: To procure the marriage license is $30. Cash and credit cards accepted (Mastercard and Visa only; a service charge of four (4) percent of the amount paid will be collected on credit card payments). Civil Marriage Celebrants can not charge more than $50 for a ceremony and are allowed to charge an amount for travel which is dictated by the Code.

Waiting Period: No waiting period. The couple can have the wedding ceremony performed the same day that the license is procured.

Blood Tests: No blood test requirement.

Under 18: The minimum age for marriage in the Commonwealth 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 clergy 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 Civil Marriage Celebrants.

Proxy Marriages:

No.

Cousin Marriages:

Yes.

Common Law Marriages:

No.

Same Sex Marriages:

No.

Qualifications of Minister to Perform Marriages in Virginia:

1. Clergy of any denomination within the Commonwealth of Virginia must be authorized by the Courts to perform religious wedding ceremonies in the Commonwealth of Virginia and be granted that authority before performing religious wedding ceremonies. Since each county may have specific policies and procedures, the clergy should check with that county. The clergy, minister or other person officiating at the marriage ceremony must complete and sign both forms of marriage license and forward both forms to the Clerk of the Court who issued the license within 5 days after the ceremony is performed.
2. Clergy must have an active congregation.
3. Congregation must be recognized as tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the United States Code.
4. Civil Marriage Celebrants can not charge more than $50 for the ceremony. However, they are allowed to charge an amount for travel.
5. Celebrant must appear in person during business hours, Monday through Friday, with the following:
   • Proof of #1 and #2 above.
   • Proof of ordination and identification.
   • Payment of $29.00 by cash or credit card (Mastercard and Visa only; a service charge of four (4) percent of the amount paid will be collected on credit card payments).
6. When #3 above has been completed the celebrant can perform a marriage ceremony anywhere in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The certification is valid for life.

Miscellaneous: You will need to have a witness when you sign the marriage application.

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

To notify us of corrections or additions send an email to update@usmarriagelaws.com.  Please include the state and county information.

Marriage Laws - Questions & Answers is the way to find and share information. You can ask questions on U.S. Marriage Laws and get answers from real people.

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

Marriage Laws - Questions & Answers is the way to find and share information. You can ask questions on U.S. Marriage Laws and get answers from real people.