City of Fairfax Marriage License

Marriage licenses in the City of Fairfax are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 10455 Main Street. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.

City of Fairfax Circuit Court Clerk

The City of Fairfax is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court and clerk's office completely separate from Fairfax County. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In the City of Fairfax, that is the clerk at 10455 Main Street.

It is important to understand that the City of Fairfax and Fairfax County are two entirely different jurisdictions. They share a name and are geographically adjacent, but each has its own government and its own circuit court. If you live within the incorporated city limits of the City of Fairfax, you come to this clerk's office at 10455 Main Street. If you live in the surrounding Fairfax County but outside city limits, you go to the Fairfax County Circuit Court at 4110 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax. Do not confuse the two.

Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. Anyone can apply in the City of Fairfax. Both applicants must appear at the same time. No proxy applications are accepted. Come with all required documents and plan to complete the process in one visit.

The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (703) 385-7880 before your visit if you have questions about documents or procedures.

Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate at ceremonies in the City of Fairfax 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 need no additional steps. Contact the clerk well in advance if your officiant is from out of state.

Marriage License Requirements in the City of Fairfax

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. An expired ID will not work. Call (703) 385-7880 before your visit if you have any doubt 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 information 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 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a firm minimum. Virginia's prior law allowing underage applicants with parental consent has been repealed. Your photo ID proves your age. Bring a certified birth certificate as backup if there is any question.

Marriage License Fees in the City of Fairfax

The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this statewide. The $30 includes a $20 state license tax and $10 for the Virginia Department of Social Services domestic violence fund. The clerk collects the fee when you apply. Confirm payment methods by phone before your visit.

The license is valid for 60 days. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony takes place within that window, the license expires. No extension or refund is available. If your wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must take place in Virginia. A City of Fairfax license cannot be used in another state.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the City of Fairfax 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.

City of Fairfax Marriage Records and Certified Copies

Certified copies of City of Fairfax marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 10455 Main Street. Copies cost $2.50 each. Requests can be made in person or by mail. For mail requests, include both spouses' 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. 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 after the marriage. After that, records become public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies.

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

Historical City of Fairfax Marriage Records

The City of Fairfax maintains marriage records separately from Fairfax County. The Library of Virginia holds City of Fairfax marriage registers from 1853 onward on microfilm. Records from before the city's incorporation as an independent city may be found in Fairfax County records at the Library of Virginia. 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. Virginia library cardholders can also access Ancestry.com through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com portal. For records from the city's modern period, contact the clerk's office directly or submit a request to VDH.

The Virginia Judicial System website has current contact information for the City of Fairfax clerk's office for historical record inquiries.

Nearby Cities

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

Nearby Counties

Fairfax County surrounds the City of Fairfax. Note: these are two separate jurisdictions with separate courts.