How to Get a Marriage License in Virginia
Virginia marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- varies by county/city (~$30; Circuit Court Clerk)
- Waiting period
- none
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Virginia is different. under-18 marriage only via court order/emancipation — no parental-consent-only path
Confirm the fee before you go. The marriage-license fee in this state is set by the county and varies, so the figure above is a representative range — check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
This row is flagged for re-verification on publish (county-set fee and/or a statute section still being pinned).
In Virginia, a marriage license is obtained through the Circuit Court Clerk's office in the county or city where either party resides or intends to marry. Applicants must present a government-issued photo ID and proof of age, and provide a Social Security number or complete a no-SSN affidavit. The state's marriage statute sets the minimum age at 18; individuals under 18 may marry only if they have been emancipated by court order. Virginia imposes no residency requirement and has no mandatory waiting period. Once issued, a license remains valid for 60 days. Some Circuit Court Clerk offices offer online application options, though the license must be finalized in person at the clerk's office.
The license fee is set by individual counties and cities and typically ranges around $30. The exact current fee should be confirmed directly with the relevant county or city Circuit Court Clerk before applying, as fees vary by jurisdiction and may change. Similarly, applicants should verify all current eligibility requirements and procedures on the Circuit Court Clerk's official webpage or contact the office directly to ensure compliance with the most current rules.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | Virginia |
|---|---|
| License fee | varies by county/city (~$30; Circuit Court Clerk) |
| Fee set by | County (varies by county) |
| Waiting period | none |
| License validity | 60 days |
| ID required | government photo ID; proof of age; SSN (or no-SSN affidavit) |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; under 18 only if emancipated by a court (VA requires emancipation, 2016 law — no parental-consent-only path) |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | no witnesses required |
| Online option | some courts offer online application; finalized at the Circuit Court Clerk |
| Where to apply | Circuit Court Clerk (county/city-administered) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full Virginia requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record Virginia marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.