Charlottesville Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Charlottesville are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 315 E. High Street. Both applicants must appear in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
City of Charlottesville Overview
Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk
The City of Charlottesville is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court and clerk separate from Albemarle County. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Charlottesville, that is the clerk at 315 E. High Street.
Charlottesville is located in central Virginia at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded entirely by Albemarle County. The city is home to the University of Virginia, which brings a steady stream of students, faculty, and visitors who may need marriage license services. As an independent city, Charlottesville has its own circuit court that operates separately from the Albemarle County courts, even though the two jurisdictions share geographic proximity.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You can apply in Charlottesville regardless of where you live. Both applicants must appear together at the same time. The clerk does not accept one applicant at a time. Come with all documents and plan to finish in one visit.
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (434) 970-3766 with questions before your visit. The courthouse at 315 E. High Street is in downtown Charlottesville, accessible from several parking areas nearby.
| Office | Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 315 E. High Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 |
| Phone | (434) 970-3766 |
| 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 Charlottesville must apply to the clerk for authorization before the event. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges are already authorized statewide. Contact the clerk well in advance if your officiant is from out of state.
Marriage License Requirements in Charlottesville
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 is acceptable. Expired IDs will not work. Call (434) 970-3766 before your visit if you have any question about a specific form of ID.
You must provide your Social Security number on the application. The physical card is not required, but the number must be given. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk also requires the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name before marriage. Have this information ready ahead of time. If a parent's name is unknown, ask the clerk for guidance.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as an absolute minimum. Virginia's prior law allowing underage applicants with parental consent has been repealed. Your photo ID establishes age. Bring a certified birth certificate as backup if there could be any question.
If either applicant was previously married, you must disclose how that marriage ended. The clerk will ask whether it ended in death, divorce, or annulment. You do not need to present court documents, but you must answer accurately.
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 Charlottesville clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Charlottesville
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this fee for all Virginia jurisdictions. The $30 includes a $20 state license tax and $10 that goes to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence services. The clerk collects this at the time of application. Call (434) 970-3766 to confirm payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony happens within that period, the license expires with no extension and no refund. If your wedding is pushed back more than 60 days, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must also occur within Virginia. The license cannot be used in another state.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Charlottesville clerk. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Certified copies are then available through the clerk for $2.50 each.
Charlottesville Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Charlottesville marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 315 E. High Street. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request in person or by mail. Mail requests should include both spouses' full names, the approximate marriage date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
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. Use VitalChek at 1-877-572-6333 for faster service.
Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, certified copies are restricted to immediate family members for 25 years after the marriage. After that period, records become public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies regardless of age.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Charlottesville marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Charlottesville Marriage Records
As an independent city, Charlottesville maintains marriage records separately from Albemarle County. The Library of Virginia holds Charlottesville 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 from before Charlottesville was established as an independent city may be found in Albemarle County records held at the Library of Virginia. FamilySearch has digitized Virginia marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and made them searchable for free online. Virginia library cardholders can access Ancestry.com through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com portal at no cost.
The Virginia Judicial System website has contact details for the Charlottesville clerk's office, which can help with historical research questions. For pre-1853 records, the Library of Virginia in Richmond is the primary source.
Nearby Counties
Albemarle County surrounds Charlottesville. Its circuit court also issues marriage licenses with no residency requirement.