Alexandria Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Alexandria are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 520 King Street. Both applicants must appear in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
City of Alexandria Overview
Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk
The City of Alexandria is an independent city under Virginia law. It has its own circuit court and its own clerk's office, separate from any surrounding county. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Alexandria, that means the Circuit Court Clerk at 520 King Street, not any county office.
Alexandria sits directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., making it one of the most active marriage license offices in northern Virginia. Many couples who live or work in the D.C. area choose Alexandria for convenience. The office handles a high volume of applications, so arriving early in the day can save wait time.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You can apply in Alexandria even if you live in Maryland, D.C., or another state entirely. Both people planning to marry must appear together at the same time. The clerk cannot accept applications from one person at a time or by proxy. Bring all required documents and plan to complete everything in a single visit.
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (703) 746-4044 before your visit to confirm hours or ask about specific document questions. The courthouse is located in Old Town Alexandria, close to the waterfront and accessible by Metro on the Blue and Yellow lines.
| Office | Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 520 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 |
| Phone | (703) 746-4044 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate at ceremonies in Alexandria must apply to the clerk for authorization before the ceremony. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed officiants and judges do not need additional local approval. Contact the clerk well in advance if your officiant is not already authorized in Virginia.
Marriage License Requirements in Alexandria
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office together and present valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state ID card, or military ID will work. The ID must not be expired. If you have any question about whether your document qualifies, call (703) 746-4044 before making the trip.
You must provide your Social Security number at the time of application. You do not need to bring the physical card, but the number must appear on the application. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk also requires the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name. Have this information ready before you go. If a parent's name is unknown, ask the clerk how to proceed.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a firm minimum. Virginia no longer allows applicants under 18 even with parental consent. That prior law has been repealed. Your photo ID establishes your age. If there is any question, bring a certified birth certificate as a backup document.
If either applicant was previously married, you must disclose how that marriage ended. The clerk will ask whether it ended by death, divorce, or annulment. You do not need to bring court documents, but the information must be provided accurately on the application form.
Note: No blood test is required and there is no waiting period. You can apply and receive your marriage license the same day you visit the Alexandria clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Alexandria
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this fee statewide. The $30 breaks down as $20 for the state license tax and $10 directed to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence services. The clerk collects this fee when you apply. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods are accepted.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony takes place within that window, the license expires. There is no extension option and no refund. If your wedding is pushed past 60 days, you must return to the clerk, reapply, and pay again. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. An Alexandria license cannot be used in Maryland or D.C.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the clerk. The clerk records it and forwards a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Certified copies are then available through the clerk for $2.50 each.
Alexandria Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Alexandria marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 520 King Street. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request in person or by mail. For mail requests, include both spouses' names, the approximate date of marriage, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with return postage.
The VDH Office of Vital Records in Richmond holds all Virginia marriage records since 1853. Their fee is $12 per certificate. Requests can be submitted online, by mail to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218, or in person at 8701 Park Central Drive. Phone: (804) 662-6200. For expedited service, use VitalChek at 1-877-572-6333.
Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, certified copies are restricted to immediate family members for 25 years following the marriage. After that, records become public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies regardless of the record's age.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Alexandria marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Alexandria Marriage Records
Alexandria has a long history as an independent city in Virginia. Because it is independent, its marriage records have been maintained separately from those of surrounding counties like Arlington and Fairfax. The Library of Virginia holds Alexandria marriage registers from 1853 onward on microfilm. These registers record the date and place of marriage, both parties' names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, and the officiant. Microfilm is available for interlibrary loan at no cost.
FamilySearch has digitized Virginia marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and made them searchable online for free. For records after 1935, contact VDH or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index. Virginia library cardholders can access Ancestry through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com portal at no charge.
Records from before Virginia's statewide recording system (pre-1853) are also held at the Library of Virginia. These include early marriage bonds and registers from the Alexandria area. The Virginia Judicial System website has contact information for the Alexandria clerk's office for historical inquiries.
Nearby Cities
Virginia has no residency requirement. You may apply at any circuit court in the state. These nearby independent cities also issue marriage licenses.
Nearby Counties
Arlington County and Fairfax County border Alexandria. County circuit courts also issue marriage licenses.