Fredericksburg Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Fredericksburg are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 701 Princess Anne Street. Both applicants must appear in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
City of Fredericksburg Overview
Fredericksburg Circuit Court Clerk
The City of Fredericksburg is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court and clerk's office separate from Spotsylvania and Stafford counties. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Fredericksburg, that is the clerk at 701 Princess Anne Street.
Fredericksburg is located on the Rappahannock River between Washington D.C. and Richmond, surrounded by Spotsylvania County to the south and west and Stafford County to the north. Despite being a relatively small city, it is an independent jurisdiction with its own courts. People who live in the city proper come to 701 Princess Anne Street for marriage licenses. Residents of Spotsylvania County or Stafford County go to their respective county clerks, even though those offices may be only a few miles away.
Virginia has no residency requirement. Anyone can apply in Fredericksburg. Both applicants must appear at the same time. No proxy applications are accepted. The clerk's office is in the downtown area near the Rappahannock River. Plan to complete the entire process in one visit.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (540) 372-1060 before your visit with any questions.
| Office | Fredericksburg Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 701 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401 |
| Phone | (540) 372-1060 |
| 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 Fredericksburg must apply to the clerk for authorization before the ceremony. 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 local approval. Contact the clerk well in advance if your officiant is from another state.
Marriage License Requirements in Fredericksburg
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 ID card, or military ID is accepted. Expired IDs will not be accepted. Call (540) 372-1060 before your visit if you have a question about whether a specific document qualifies.
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 go. If a parent's name is unknown, ask the clerk for guidance.
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 allows underage applicants even with parental consent. Your photo ID proves your age. Bring a certified birth certificate as backup if any question arises.
If either applicant was previously married, you must disclose how that marriage ended. The clerk will ask whether it ended by death, divorce, or annulment. Answer accurately on the application form.
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 Fredericksburg clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Fredericksburg
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 this 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 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 Fredericksburg license cannot be used in Maryland or any other state.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Fredericksburg 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.
Fredericksburg Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Fredericksburg marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 701 Princess Anne Street. Copies cost $2.50 each. Requests can be made 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 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. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Fredericksburg marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Fredericksburg Marriage Records
Fredericksburg has been an independent city for many years, so its marriage records are held separately from Spotsylvania County and Stafford County. The Library of Virginia holds Fredericksburg marriage registers from 1853 onward on microfilm. These include both parties' names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, and the date and place of marriage. Microfilm is available through interlibrary loan at no cost.
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. For earlier Fredericksburg records predating Virginia's statewide system, the Library of Virginia is the primary source.
The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact information for the Fredericksburg clerk's office, which can assist with historical record inquiries.
Nearby Counties
Spotsylvania and Stafford counties border Fredericksburg. Their circuit courts also issue marriage licenses.