MARRIAGE LICENSES

WHERE OBTAINED: A license for marriage in Virginia is issued by the clerk or deputy clerk of a circuit court in any county or city in the State of Virginia.  The ceremony may be performed anywhere in the State.  Applicants must, under oath, furnish information required to complete the marriage record, i.e., name, age, address, social security number, place of birth, parents' names including the mothers' maiden names.  The applicant may be subject to prosecution for perjury for  providing false information.  

TIME LIMITATIONS:  The marriage must be performed within 60 days after the license is issued.  There is no waiting period for issuing the license, and the couple may be married immediately after the license is issued.

AGE REQUIREMENTS AND CONSENT: If an applicant is over the age of 16 but under the age of 18, 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 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.

WHO MAY PERFORM THE CEREMONY: A minister of any religious denomination who has obtained authorization from a circuit court in Virginia to celebrate the rites of matrimony or a person appointed by a circuit court in Virginia to perform civil marriage ceremonies.

FEE: $30.00

COPIES OF MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: After the marriage certificate has been returned by the officiant, certified copies may be obtained from the clerk who issued the license for a fee of $2.50 each.