Circuit Court Clerk

Marriage Licenses/Marriage Celebrants

• Who May Marry in Virginia
• Obtaining a Marriage License
• After the Wedding
• Obtaining a Copy of a Marriage License
• Changing the Bride's Name After Marriage
• Marriage Celebrants
• Minister Authorization to Perform Marriages

Who May Marry in Virginia

The minimum age for marriage in Virginia is 16 years for both bride and groom. If either party is under 18, consent to the marriage must be given in person by the father, mother or legal guardian of the minor. The parent or legal guardian must present his or her driver's license or comparable photo I.D. and the minor must present a full-length birth certificate. Virginia law prohibits marriage by parties under 16 except under certain circumstances. Please contact the Clerk's Office for further information.

Obtaining a Marriage License

• Marriage licenses are issued from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  
  
• Licenses are issued regardless of the applicants' county of residence as long as the marriage will take place in Virginia.
  
  
• The marriage license fee is $32.50. Payment may be made by cash, check or money order (payable to the Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk). Debit and credit cards are not accepted for the payment of such fees.
  
  
• Both parties, bride and groom, must be present and must present a photo I.D.
  
  
• A self-addressed, stamped envelope should be presented for the return of a certified copy of the license.
  
  
• Blood tests are not required.
  
  
• The marriage license is valid for 60 days. If the marriage does not take place within 60 days from the date the license was issued, a new license must be issued and additional fees must be tendered. There is no provision for a refund.
  
  
• If either the bride or groom is divorced, a certified copy of the final divorce decree should be provided. This can be obtained from the court where the divorce was obtained.
  
  
• The Clerk's Office is pleased to provide an automated system by which you can apply on-line for your marriage license - the first of its kind in the Commonwealth! After on-line submission of the application, both parties must still appear in the Clerk's Office to claim the license within ten (10) days. Click here to submit your application.
  

After the Wedding

The marriage celebrant returns the executed marriage license to the Clerk's Office for permanent retention. Upon receipt, a certified copy of the marriage license is mailed to the couple.

Obtaining a Copy of a Marriage License

• Certified copies are $2.50 each and are available by written request or in the Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Payment may be made by cash, check or money order (payable to the Circuit Court Clerk). Debit and credit cards are not accepted for the payment of such fees.

• For marriage licenses issued between July 1, 1997 and June 30, 2001, Virginia law requires that the Clerk's Office obtain written permission from the bride or groom before providing a copy to any party. Written permission is required even if the person requesting the copy is the bride or groom. Written requests for certified copies of a marriage license should include the following: groom's name, bride's maiden name, date of marriage, a self-addressed stamped envelope, a check or money order for $2.50 made payable to the Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk, and the notarized signature of the bride and/or groom. If the bride or groom's signature is not notarized, he or she should send a copy of a photo ID (preferably a driver's license) so that the Clerk's Office may confirm identification before providing the requested copies.

• For copies of licenses issued prior to July 1, 1997 or after June 30, 2001, access is not limited to only the bride and groom. Written requests for certified copies should include the following: groom's name, bride's maiden name, date of marriage, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for $2.50 made payable to the Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk.

To Change the Bride's Name After Marriage

Contact the Social Security Administration in order to obtain a new social security card. The bride will be required to present a certified copy of the marriage license with the application for a new social security card. Application forms are available in the Clerk's Office.

Marriage Celebrants

The following individuals have been authorized to perform civil marriage ceremonies:

Ministers must be registered through the Circuit Court in order to perform marriages in Virginia. See below.

Minister Authorization to Perform Marriages

The Clerk’s Office may authorize certain ministers to perform marriage ceremonies, provided that the minister meets the requirements of § 20-23 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended.  Out-of-state ministers may be authorized for a one-time ceremony, provided the ceremony will take place in Chesterfield. 

If Code requirements are not clearly met, the minister will need to obtain approval from the Court.  This will require that a Petition and filing fee in the amount of $29.00 be submitted.  The minister will also need to set a hearing with the Court.

Before visiting the Clerk’s Office to request authorization, please contact the office by phone at 804-748-1241 to confirm the process to follow.

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