Franklin, Virginia Marriage License

Marriage licenses in the City of Franklin are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 562 Main Street. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.

Franklin Circuit Court Clerk

The City of Franklin is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court and clerk's office separate from Southampton County. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, Virginia marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Franklin, that is the clerk at 562 Main Street.

Franklin is located in southeastern Virginia near the North Carolina border, surrounded by Southampton County. As an independent city, it operates a circuit court separate from Southampton County. Residents of the city come to the Franklin clerk at 562 Main Street. Residents of Southampton County go to the county clerk. Both are close geographically, but each serves its own jurisdiction.

Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You can apply in Franklin regardless of where you live. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office at the same time. No proxy applications are accepted. Plan to complete the entire process in one visit with all required documents in hand.

The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (757) 516-1000 before your visit with any questions about the application process or required documents.

Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate ceremonies in Franklin must apply to the clerk for authorization. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges need no additional local steps. Contact the clerk in advance if your officiant is from North Carolina or another state.

Marriage License Requirements in Franklin

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-issued ID card, or military ID is acceptable. Expired IDs will not work. Call (757) 516-1000 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 before marriage. Have all of this ready before you arrive. If a parent's name is not known, ask the clerk how to handle it.

Both applicants must be at least 18. 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 any question arises.

Marriage License Fees in Franklin

The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this fee statewide for all Virginia jurisdictions. 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 trip.

The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony takes place 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 again. The ceremony must take place within Virginia. A Franklin license cannot be used in North Carolina.

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

Franklin Marriage Records and Certified Copies

Certified copies of Franklin marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 562 Main Street. Copies cost $2.50 each. Requests can be made in person or by mail. For mail requests, include both spouses' full names, the approximate marriage date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with return postage.

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 processing.

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

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

Historical Franklin Marriage Records

Franklin is an independent city, so its marriage records are maintained separately from Southampton County. The Library of Virginia holds Franklin marriage registers from 1853 onward on microfilm. These include both parties' names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, and the date and place of marriage. Microfilm can be borrowed through interlibrary loan at no cost.

Records from before Franklin's incorporation as an independent city may be found in Southampton County records at the Library of Virginia. FamilySearch has digitized Virginia marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 for free online searching. Virginia library cardholders can access Ancestry.com through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com portal.

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

Nearby Counties

Southampton County surrounds Franklin. Its circuit court also issues marriage licenses with no residency requirement.