Danville Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Danville are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 401 Patton Street. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
City of Danville Overview
Danville Circuit Court Clerk
The City of Danville is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court and clerk's office separate from Pittsylvania County. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Danville, that is the clerk at 401 Patton Street.
Danville is located in south-central Virginia near the North Carolina border, surrounded by Pittsylvania County. As an independent city, Danville operates its own circuit court completely separate from Pittsylvania County. This means that even though the two jurisdictions are right next to each other geographically, residents and visitors must go to the correct clerk's office. Those in the City of Danville get their license from the Danville clerk; those in Pittsylvania County go to the county clerk.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You can apply in Danville regardless of where you live. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together. No proxy applications are accepted. Plan to finish everything in one visit with all documents in hand.
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (434) 799-5168 before your visit with any questions about documents or the application process.
| Office | Danville Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 401 Patton Street Danville, VA 24543 |
| Phone | (434) 799-5168 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate ceremonies in Danville 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 statewide and need no additional approval. Contact the clerk well in advance if your officiant holds credentials from North Carolina or another state.
Marriage License Requirements in Danville
Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together with valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state-issued ID card, or military ID is accepted. Expired IDs will not be accepted. Call (434) 799-5168 before your visit if you have a question about whether a specific document will work.
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 information ready before your visit. 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 an absolute minimum with no exceptions. Virginia's old law allowing underage applicants with parental consent has been repealed. Your photo ID establishes your age. Bring a certified birth certificate as a backup if any question comes up.
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 Danville clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Danville
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this fee for all Virginia jurisdictions. 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 the fee at the time of application. Call to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony takes place within that time, the license expires. There is no extension and no refund. If your wedding is postponed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay the fee again. The ceremony must take place in Virginia. A Danville license cannot be used in North Carolina.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Danville clerk. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Certified copies are available from the clerk for $2.50 each after recording.
Danville Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Danville marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 401 Patton Street. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request in person or by mail. Mail requests should include both spouses' full names, the approximate date of marriage, 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 expedited service.
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.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Danville marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Danville Marriage Records
As an independent city, Danville maintains its marriage records separately from Pittsylvania County. The Library of Virginia holds Danville marriage registers from 1853 onward on microfilm. These registers record both parties' names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, the marriage date and place, and the officiant. Microfilm can be borrowed through interlibrary loan at no cost.
Records from before Danville's establishment as an independent city may be found in Pittsylvania 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 access Ancestry.com through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com portal at no charge.
The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact information for the Danville clerk's office, which can assist with historical record requests.
Nearby Cities
Martinsville is another independent city in southern Virginia that issues marriage licenses. No residency requirement applies.
Nearby Counties
Pittsylvania County surrounds Danville. Its circuit court also issues marriage licenses.