In order to get married in the State of Virginia you will need to obtain a marriage license in any county or independent city in Virginia. The ceremony may be performed elsewhere in the State.

Identification Requirements

• You and your fiancé will both have to apply to in person.
• You will need proof of identification and age. A certified copy of your Birth Certificate and a valid picture ID such as a Driver’s License are the usual forms of ID presented.
• You will need to provide proof of any previous marriages and their dissolution. There is no statutory waiting period before remarriage after a divorce is granted unless remarriage is prohibited by a court.

Age and Residency Requirements

• You do not have to be a resident of Virginia in order to be married in VA. However, no license will be issued to out of state couples who are also under the age of 16.
• The minimum age for marriage in the State of Virginia is sixteen years for both the bride and groom. However, if either party is eighteen, marriage may be allowed, if consent to the marriage is given by the father, mother, or legal guardian of the underage party. Consent may be given in person or via notarized written consent presented to the Clerk.

Other Considerations

There is no waiting period. You can obtain your license and be married the same day.

• There is no blood test requirement in the State of Virginia.
• There is a fee for the marriage license. Cash only. Please check with the issuing clerk of courts.
• A license is valid for 60 days. The license is only valid in the State of Virginia. A license issued outside the State of Virginia is not valid for marriages to be performed in Virginia.
• There is no statutory requirement that witnesses be present at the ceremony.

Who Can Perform the Ceremony and Their Responsibility to You

The marriage ceremony may be performed by a minister of any denomination. The minister must produce proof of association with a recognized religious society. Persons appointed by the court may perform the ceremony. Officiants, Celebrants and Justice of the Peace are all able to perform a marriage ceremony provided they are licensed by the State.

The minister, Officiant, Celebrant and Justice of the Peace will perform the ceremony, complete the Marriage Certificate and return the forms to the Clerk in the County in which the license was obtained within five days.

These documents are forwarded to the State division of Vital Records.

The couple will receive a marriage certificate at the time of their marriage. This is not a legal document.

Couples must obtain a valid, certified copy of their marriage license from the Office of the Clerk that issued the license. There is a nominal fee to obtain this license. It is recommended that a couple obtain at least two certified copies of their license. The certified copy of your license will be needed for all name change and official documents. Instructions for obtaining certified copies of the marriage license are issued at the time a marriage license is obtained.

Virginia County Clerk’s Offices In My Service Area*

Alleghany Circuit Court
266 West Main Street
Covington, VA 24426-0670
540-965-1730

Bath County Circuit Court Clerks Office
Warm Springs, VA 24484
540-839-7226

Roanoke County Circuit Court
Salem, VA 24135
540-387-6205

Rockingham County Clerk of Circuit Court
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
540-564-3110

*For More Information and a Complete Listing of County and Independent cities check out the following websites:

www.virginia.gov
About.com Marriage Virginia Laws
www.WeddingVendor.com
www.USMarriageLaws.com