Galax Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Galax are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 111 E. Grayson Street. Both applicants must appear in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
City of Galax Overview
Galax Circuit Court Clerk
The City of Galax is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court clerk separate from Carroll and Grayson counties. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, Virginia marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Galax, that is the clerk at 111 E. Grayson Street.
Galax is located in far southwestern Virginia near the North Carolina border, situated between Carroll County to the north and Grayson County to the south. As an independent city, Galax has its own circuit court entirely separate from those two counties, even though all three are close together. Galax residents come to 111 E. Grayson Street for marriage licenses. Residents of Carroll County go to the Carroll clerk in Hillsville, and Grayson County residents go to the Grayson clerk in Independence.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You can apply in Galax from anywhere. Both applicants must appear together at the same time. No proxy applications are allowed. Come with all required documents and plan to complete the process in one visit.
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (276) 236-8541 before your visit with any questions.
| Office | Galax Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 E. Grayson Street Galax, VA 24333 |
| Phone | (276) 236-8541 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate at ceremonies in Galax 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 approval. Contact the clerk in advance if your officiant is from North Carolina or another state.
Marriage License Requirements in Galax
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 acceptable. Expired IDs are not accepted. Call (276) 236-8541 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. Have this ready before you go. If a parent's name is unknown to you, ask the clerk for guidance.
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 there is any question.
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 Galax clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Galax
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this fee statewide. The $30 includes a $20 state license tax and $10 for the Virginia Department of Social Services domestic violence services fund. The clerk collects the fee when you apply. 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 window, the license expires. No extension is available and no refund is given. If your ceremony is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must take place within Virginia. A Galax license cannot be used in North Carolina.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Galax clerk. The clerk records it and forwards 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.
Galax Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Galax marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 111 E. Grayson 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 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 after the marriage. After that, records are public. Social Security numbers are always redacted.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Galax marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Galax Marriage Records
Galax is an independent city, so its marriage records are maintained separately from Carroll and Grayson counties. The Library of Virginia holds Galax marriage registers from 1853 onward on microfilm. Records from before Galax became an independent city may be in Carroll or Grayson county records at the Library of Virginia. 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 records from Galax's modern period, contact the clerk's office directly or contact VDH.
The Virginia Judicial System website provides current contact details for the Galax clerk's office for historical research inquiries.
Nearby Counties
Carroll and Grayson counties border Galax. Their circuit courts also issue marriage licenses with no residency requirement.