Covington Marriage License

Marriage licenses in the City of Covington are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 311 S. Lexington Avenue. Both applicants must appear in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.

Covington Circuit Court Clerk

The City of Covington is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court clerk separate from Alleghany County. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, Virginia marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Covington, that is the clerk at 311 S. Lexington Avenue.

Covington is located in western Virginia in the Alleghany Highlands region, surrounded by Alleghany County. The city sits along the Jackson River at the eastern edge of West Virginia. As an independent city, Covington maintains its own circuit court entirely separate from Alleghany County, even though the two share geographic proximity and many services. If you live in Covington, you go to the Covington clerk for your marriage license, not the Alleghany County clerk.

Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You can apply in Covington regardless of where you live. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together. No proxy applications are allowed. Plan to complete everything in one visit.

The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (540) 965-6321 before your visit with any questions.

Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate at ceremonies in Covington must apply to the 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 West Virginia or another state.

Marriage License Requirements in Covington

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 accepted. Expired IDs will not work. Call (540) 965-6321 before your visit if you have a question about a specific document.

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. Have this ready before you arrive. If a parent's name is unknown to you, ask the clerk for guidance.

Both applicants must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a firm minimum with no exceptions. Virginia no longer allows underage applicants even with parental consent. Your photo ID proves your age. If there is any question, bring a certified birth certificate as a backup document.

Marriage License Fees in Covington

The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this fee statewide. 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 the full 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 in that window, the license expires with no extension and no refund. If your wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must return and reapply. The ceremony must take place within Virginia. A Covington license cannot be used in West Virginia or another state.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Covington 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.

Covington Marriage Records and Certified Copies

Certified copies of Covington marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 311 S. Lexington Avenue. 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 Virginia marriage records since 1853. Their fee is $12 per certificate. Submit requests 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 processing.

Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, certified copies are restricted to immediate family members for 25 years after the marriage. Records become public after that. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies.

The Virginia Department of Health maintains Covington marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.

Historical Covington Marriage Records

Covington is an independent city, so its records are maintained separately from Alleghany County. The Library of Virginia holds Covington marriage registers from 1853 onward on microfilm. These registers include both parties' names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, the marriage date, and the officiant. Microfilm is available through interlibrary loan at no charge.

Records from before Covington's incorporation as an independent city may be found in Alleghany County records 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 also access Ancestry.com through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com portal.

The Virginia Judicial System website lists contact details for the Covington clerk's office for historical record inquiries.

Nearby Cities

These independent cities in western Virginia also issue marriage licenses. No residency requirement applies.

Nearby Counties

Alleghany County surrounds Covington. Its circuit court also issues marriage licenses.