How to Get a Certified Copy of Your Virginia Marriage Certificate

Marriage Certificates How to Get a Certified Copy of Your Virginia Marriage Certificate

How to Get a Copy of Your Virginia Marriage Certificate

With over 8 million people residing in the state, there are a large number of people seeking a Virginia marriage certificate. To legally marry in the state, it is necessary to obtain a marriage license and, eventually, get an authorized or certified copy of a marriage certificate.

However, there are multiple steps to take before securing a marriage license and the process is time-consuming. DoNotPay makes it much easier. DoNotPay can help you get a just by logging in online.

How to Get a Marriage License in Virginia

A Virginia marriage license can be obtained from the Circuit Court clerk's office in each of the state's 95 counties. While some states give marriage license applicants a residency requirement, the state of Virginia does not. However, the state does require that applicants get married in the state.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Marriage License in Virginia?

Provided that applicants have all the required materials, an instant marriage license is issued. Couples are allowed to immediately marry. The marriage license is valid for 60 days after issuance. There is no blood test requirement.

What to Bring to Marriage License Appointment

Couples that want to apply for a marriage license in person may visit a Virginia county Circuit court clerk. Each party must appear before the clerk. When physically appearing for a marriage license, applicants need:

  1. A valid form of identification
  2. Social security number for each person
  3. Full name of each person's parents, as reflected on the applicant's birth certificate

Applicants are required to be at least 18 years old. Anyone younger than 18 years of age must have been legally emancipated and furnish a certified copy of the order of emancipation to the court before applying for a marriage license.

How to Obtain a Marriage License Online

While Virginia does not issue marriage license applications online, applicants can submit an online marriage license pre-application in Virginia. When each person receives confirmation that the state has received the pre-application, the state gives the couple up to 60 days to obtain a marriage license.

How to Obtain a Marriage License via Mail

Within the past year, some Virginia counties have allowed applicants to receive a marriage license through the mail. Check with the particular county's Circuit Court clerk to see if that jurisdiction mails out marriage licenses.

Do you Need an Appointment to Get a Marriage License in Virginia?

When determining how to make an appointment for a marriage license, it solely depends on the county in Virginia. Couples should call ahead of time to check if that county's Circuit Court clerk requires pre-scheduled appointments. Some require appointments, some do not.

Scheduling Virginia Marriage License Appointments

DoNotPay can help schedule appointments. Just open a , get the app, let us know what you need and we'll take care of the rest.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Virginia Marriage License?

The fee for a Virginia marriage license is $30. The fee can be paid with cash, money order, Visa, or MasterCard credit card.

Virginia Marriage License Locations

Each county in the state of Virginia has a Circuit Court and a designated clerk. Check with the individual county for specific information, such as hours of operation and appointment scheduling.

Why Having a Copy of a Virginia Marriage Certificate is Important

A certificate of marriage is different from a marriage license. Licenses allow a couple to legally marry. Certificates are proof that a legal marriage has occurred.

A certified copy of a Virginia marriage certificate may be required for:

  • Employment
  • Medical reasons
  • Legal concerns or issues
  • Insurance Purposes
  • Change of legal name
  • Proof of identity

What Are the Requirements for Requesting a Copy of a Virginia Marriage Certificate?

Virginia has specific requirements on who can obtain a copy of a marriage certificate.

  • Only immediate family members can obtain a copy.
  • A valid form of identification must be provided.
  • If necessary, the requestor must show the ability to prove a qualified relationship to the person/people listed on the certificate.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Virginia Marriage Certificate?

Marriage certificates are deemed a vital record in the state of Virginia. They may be requested at the Virginia Department of Health office.

City/County/State OfficeContact Address and Phone NumberMarriage Certificate Processing Fee
Virginia Department Of HealthP.O. Box 1000

Richmond, VA 23218-1000

Phone: 877-572-6333

Fax: 800-244-2515

First Copy: $20.80 Additional Copies: $20.80

How to Get a Copy of a Virginia Marriage Certificate On Your Own

In the state of Virginia, marriage certificates are maintained by the Division of Vital Records through the state's health department. Information and general questions about marriage certificates and licenses can be obtained by calling the office.

Keep in mind that the process involves making phone calls, filling out paperwork, and

producing various documents to prove your identity. There is a lot of "legwork" involved. It can be done, but it can be tedious.

What to Do If You Can't Get a Virginia Marriage Certificate on Your Own

You can always ask a third party for help, whether that's a family member or a friend.

You could also consider hiring an attorney to assist with the process. However, it could be difficult for a third party to represent your individual needs and lawyers can be pricey.

There is a better solution for getting the information you need.

How DoNotPay Can Help Get Your Marriage Certificate

DoNotPay will help gather necessary documents for obtaining your Virginia marriage certificate. The DoNotPay app will request the specific paperwork that is required and find the exact information needed to get the vital document.

DoNotPay will assist you with:

  • Finding specific information regarding a Virginia marriage certificate.
  • Requesting pertinent documents needed to get a copy of the certificate.
  • Getting a copy of a certified marriage certificate.·
  • Providing virtual notary services.

If you want to order a Marriage Certificate Copy in Virginia but don't know where

to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 7 easy steps:

  1. Go to the Certificates of Marriage product on DoNotPay. 
  2. Select whether the certificate belongs to you or a relative/loved one. If it belongs to someone else, enter the details of both people on the certificate, and select/upload evidence that proves your relationship with them. If the certificate is yours, enter the details of your spouse. 
  3. Enter the city, state, and county where the marriage certificate was issued as well as the date it was issued.* 
  4. Indicate what you will be using this certificate for, and choose whether you need an authorized or certified copy. 
  5. Enter your contact information and shipping address. Upload copies of your government-issued identification, such as a driver's license. 
  6. Choose whether you would like to electronically sign this form or not. Once we generate the form, verify that all of the information is correct 
  7. If you need the document to be notarized, schedule a notarization appointment using our Notary product. Otherwise, proceed to our Mail Checks product and let DoNotPay mail-in your request form with a check on your behalf. 

What Else Can DoNotPay Help You With?

DoNotPay has a wealth of information about marriage in Virginia, but can also assist you with:

You don't have to travel to multiple places and jump through hoops to get a Virginia marriage certificate. Simply jump on your laptop or use the phone app to get everything you need.

DoNotPay is fast, easy, and guaranteed.  and get everything you need with just a few clicks. Make it simple and use DoNotPay to get a Virginia marriage license or certificate.

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