How To Apply For A Marriage License

Who May Marry? Age Requirements And Consent

The minimum age for marriage in the Commonwealth of Virginia is sixteen years for both the bride and groom. However, if either party is under eighteen years of age, the father and mother, or all legal guardians, must give consent to the marriage. Consent must be given personally by the parents or legal guardians before the deputy clerk that is issuing the license. 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. Please contact the clerk's office for more information regarding other requirements for all underage marriages.

Prohibited marriages include:

• A marriage entered into prior to the dissolution of an earlier marriage of one of the parties.
• A marriage between an ancestor and descendant; or between a brother and a sister; or between an uncle and a niece; or between an aunt and a nephew; whether the relationship is by the half or the whole blood or by adoption.
• When either of the parties lacks capacity to consent to the marriage because of mental incapacity or infirmity.
• “Common law" marriages are not valid if entered into in Virginia or any other jurisdiction which does not permit them for its residents.

License Requirements

Blood Test Not Needed. There is no blood test requirement for marriage in Virginia.

Where to Obtain. The clerk, or his deputy, of the circuit court in any county or city, issues a license for marriage in Virginia. The ceremony may be performed anywhere in Virginia by anyone authorized by the Court to celebrate the marriage rite in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Applicants must, under oath, furnish information required to complete the marriage record, including valid photo identification.

Time Limitations. The marriage must be performed within sixty days after the license is issued. There is no waiting period required between application and issuance of license, and a couple may be married immediately after the issuance of a license.

Fees. A fee of $30 is charged by the clerk of the court for issuing a marriage license.

Apply For A Marriage License

mxCourt enables you to apply electronically for a Marriage License at participating courts. The following information is required:

• First Name, Middle Name, Last Name
• Social Security Number
• Date of Birth, Age, Place of Birth, Race
• Marital Status, Number of this Marriage
• Education
• Usual Residence, City, County, State
• Name of Father, Name of Mother
• Email address, phone number

After you have entered the information you can submit it electronically to the court.

Marriage License Printer Setup

Click on the following link for instructions on how to print Marriage Licenses: Marriage License Printer Setup