How Do I Get a Marriage License in Virginia?
In order for me to marry a couple in Virginia, you really only need one thing…and that is a Virginia Marriage License issued by any Virginia Circuit Court. The most frequently asked question I get is “how do I get a Virginia marriage license?”. It is really easy and ANYONE in the WORLD can get a license to be married in Virginia. Here is how you get one.
Where do I get a Virginia Marriage License?
You can obtain your marriage license at any circuit courthouse in the Commonwealth of Virginia. If you are getting married here in the Winchester area, you can get one at either the Frederick County or Winchester City Circuit Courthouse which are both located on 5 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601. It does not take long in Winchester, but I suggest allowing 15-20 minutes for them to do the paperwork. Before you go, read up on some of my tips when visiting the Winchester / Frederick County courthouse.
How much does a Virginia Marriage License Cost?
You can get your Virginia Marriage License for only $30. Most courthouses accept credit cards as forms of payment, however I would encourage you to bring cash to pay for your license, as various courthouses have different rules / regulations.
What do I need to get a Virginia Marriage License?
The only thing you need other than the $30 is both of you need to bring a valid ID. This could be a Driver’s License issued by any state, a valid government-issued passport, or another type of government-issued identification. Be sure that your ID is not expired (check your Driver’s License to make sure it is current), otherwise it will not be accepted by the court. Here are some other examples of IDs that are accepted:
- Driver’s License
- State issued ID card
- Military ID
- Passport
- Passport Card
- Permanent Resident Card
- Foreign Gov’t issued Passport
The court will also need to know the full names (first, middle, and last) of each of your parents along with your mothers’ maiden name, so be sure you know that information ahead of time.
Do I have to live in Virginia to get a Virginia Marriage License?
This is the best part…ANYONE from ANYWHERE in the world can get a Virginia marriage license. You do not need to be a resident of Virginia. I have married couples who have come from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and even Boston, Massachusetts to get married in Virginia.
Is there a waiting period for getting a Virginia Marriage License?
No, there is no waiting period at all for getting your license. For example if you drove to Winchester, Virginia today from Baltimore, MD, you could have your marriage license in hand within 20-30 minutes of arriving in Winchester. There is also NO waiting period for getting married once you have it. So once you have your Virginia marriage license, I can marry you right there in the courthouse if you like.
Does my Virginia Marriage License expire?
Yes, your marriage license expires in Virginia after 60 days. You want to be sure you have an officiant / marriage commissioner (like me) lined up to marry you within that time frame. The marriage license needs to be filed with the courthouse by the officiant within 60 days of the issuing date. Unfortunately if it expires, you then need to obtain a new marriage license and pay for the $30 again.
Is a blood test required to get a Virginia Marriage License?
Nope…no blood test is required. All you need is the $30 to pay for the license and your IDs and you are good to go!
Can a same-sex couple get a Virginia Marriage License?
Of course! Same-sex couple marriages and weddings are allowed and recognized in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I also am happy to provide officiant / marriage commissioner services for same-sex couples too.
How old do we have to be to get a Virginia Marriage License?
You have to be 18 to get married in Virginia unless a court order has been issued. Per Virginia law:
As of July 1, 2016, the legal minimum age for marriage in Virginia has changed to eighteen. Virginia Code Section 20-48: The minimum age at which persons may marry, shall be 18, unless a minor has been emancipated by court order. Upon application for a marriage license, an emancipated minor shall provide a certified copy of the order of emancipation.
I was previously married. Is information regarding my divorce required to get a Virginia Marriage License?
This one has varying answers depending on what court you ask. I know that in Winchester, VA, they do not require information from previous marriages to issue a Virginia Marriage License. However, I have seen other circuit courts in Virginia ask for this information.
To be safe, if you were previously married, I would recommend you bring a certified copy of a court-issued Decree of Divorce with you. If the Decree is in a language other than English, you should also present a certified document translation, signed and dated by a translator attesting to the document’s accuracy
It’s easy to get a Virginia Marriage License!
I hope this article has been helpful in showing how easy it is to get a Virginia Marriage License. Remember, all you will need is $30 and a valid government ID and you can walk out of the court with your marriage license in under 20 minutes! Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions regarding Virginia Marriage Licenses.
