Bristol, Virginia Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Bristol are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 497 Cumberland Street. Both applicants must appear in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
City of Bristol Overview
Bristol Circuit Court Clerk
The City of Bristol is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court and clerk's office completely separate from Washington County. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Bristol, that is the Circuit Court Clerk at 497 Cumberland Street.
Bristol sits in far southwestern Virginia on the Tennessee border. The city literally straddles the state line. The main street running through downtown is the border between Bristol, Virginia and Bristol, Tennessee. Despite being right next to each other, they are separate cities in separate states with separate government offices. Virginia marriage licenses must be issued by a Virginia circuit court clerk. The Bristol, Virginia clerk's office at 497 Cumberland Street handles all marriage license applications for Virginia-side residents and visitors.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You can apply in Bristol whether you live in Virginia, Tennessee, or any other state. Both people must appear together at the same time. The clerk's office does not accept one-person applications or proxies. Come together, bring all documents, and the process is usually done the same day.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (276) 645-7300 before your visit with any questions about documents or procedures. Bristol is in the far southwest corner of Virginia near the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina.
| Office | Bristol Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 497 Cumberland Street Bristol, VA 24201 |
| Phone | (276) 645-7300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate at ceremonies in Bristol, Virginia must apply to the Bristol clerk for authorization. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges are already authorized and do not need additional local approval. Contact the clerk ahead of time if your officiant is from Tennessee or another state.
Marriage License Requirements in Bristol
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. Expired IDs are not accepted. Call (276) 645-7300 before your visit if you have a question about a specific document.
You must provide your Social Security number at the time of application. The card itself is not required, 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 all of this ready before you go. If a parent's name is unknown, ask the clerk for guidance on how to handle that.
Both applicants must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a hard minimum with no exceptions. Virginia no longer allows applicants under 18 even with parental consent. Your photo ID establishes proof of age. Bring a certified birth certificate as a backup if there is any question about your age.
If either applicant was previously married, you must state how that marriage ended: by death, divorce, or annulment. Court documents are not required, but you must answer this question accurately on the application.
Note: No blood test is required and there is no waiting period. You can apply and receive the marriage license the same day you visit the Bristol clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Bristol
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this fee statewide for all Virginia jurisdictions. The $30 includes a $20 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 which 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 period, the license expires. There is no extension and no refund. If your ceremony is delayed beyond 60 days, you must reapply and pay the fee again. The ceremony must also take place in Virginia. A Bristol, Virginia license cannot be used across the street in Bristol, Tennessee.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Bristol clerk. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Certified copies are then available from the clerk for $2.50 each.
Bristol Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Bristol marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 497 Cumberland Street. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request in person or by mail. For mail requests, include both spouses' full names, the approximate date of marriage, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The VDH Office of Vital Records in Richmond also holds 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. Use VitalChek at 1-877-572-6333 for expedited service.
Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, certified copies are restricted to immediate family members for 25 years after the marriage. After that, records become public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Bristol marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Bristol Marriage Records
Bristol is an independent city, so its marriage records are held separately from those of Washington County. The Library of Virginia holds Bristol marriage registers from 1853 onward on microfilm. These records include the date and place of marriage, both parties' names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, and the officiant. Microfilm can be borrowed through interlibrary loan at no cost.
Records prior to Bristol's incorporation as an independent city may be found in Washington County records held at the Library of Virginia or the county clerk's office. FamilySearch has digitized Virginia marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and made them searchable online for free. Virginia library card holders can also access Ancestry.com through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com service.
The Virginia Judicial System website lists contact information for the Bristol clerk's office, which can assist with historical record inquiries. For older records predating Virginia's statewide system, the Library of Virginia in Richmond is the primary research source.
Nearby Counties
Washington County surrounds Bristol. County circuit courts also issue marriage licenses with no residency requirement.