Falls Church Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Falls Church are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 300 Park Avenue. Both applicants must appear in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
City of Falls Church Overview
Falls Church Circuit Court Clerk
The City of Falls Church is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court clerk separate from both Fairfax County and Arlington County. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Falls Church, that is the clerk at 300 Park Avenue.
Falls Church is one of Virginia's smallest independent cities, covering just over two square miles and entirely surrounded by Fairfax County and Arlington County. Its small size does not change its status. It is fully independent with its own circuit court. Falls Church residents go to the clerk at 300 Park Avenue for marriage licenses, not to Fairfax County or Arlington County. Visitors and non-residents can also apply here since Virginia has no residency requirement.
Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office at the same time. No proxy applications are allowed. The city is in northern Virginia in the Washington D.C. suburbs, accessible by Metro and major roads. The courthouse is a short walk from the West Falls Church Metro station area. Plan to complete everything in one visit.
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (703) 248-8210 before your visit with any questions about documents or the application process.
| Office | Falls Church Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 Park Avenue Falls Church, VA 22046 |
| Phone | (703) 248-8210 |
| 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 Falls Church 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. Contact the clerk well in advance if your officiant is from Maryland, D.C., or another state.
Marriage License Requirements in Falls Church
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 be accepted. Call (703) 248-8210 if you are unsure whether a specific document will qualify.
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 all of this ready before your visit. If a parent's name is unknown, ask the clerk for guidance on how to proceed.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a firm minimum with no exceptions. Virginia no longer permits underage applicants even with parental consent. Your photo ID establishes age. Bring a certified birth certificate as backup if there is 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 must answer accurately on the application.
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 Falls Church clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Falls Church
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 fee at the time of application. Call to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony occurs within that window, the license expires. No extension is available and no refund is given. If your wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay the fee again. The ceremony must also take place in Virginia. A Falls Church license cannot be used in Maryland or D.C.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Falls Church 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.
Falls Church Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Falls Church marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 300 Park Avenue. Copies cost $2.50 each. Requests can be made 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 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. Records become public after that period. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies regardless of age.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Falls Church marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Falls Church Marriage Records
Falls Church is an independent city and maintains its own marriage records separately from Fairfax County and Arlington County. The Library of Virginia holds Falls Church marriage registers from 1853 onward on microfilm. These registers include both parties' names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, the date and location of marriage, and the officiant. Microfilm is available through interlibrary loan at no cost.
Records from before Falls Church became an independent city may be in Fairfax County or Arlington 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 cost.
The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact information for the Falls Church clerk's office for research inquiries.
Nearby Cities
These independent cities in northern Virginia also issue marriage licenses. No residency requirement applies in Virginia.
Nearby Counties
Fairfax County and Arlington County surround Falls Church. Their circuit courts also issue marriage licenses.