Harrisonburg Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Harrisonburg are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 101 W. Main Street. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
City of Harrisonburg Overview
Harrisonburg Circuit Court Clerk
The City of Harrisonburg is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court and clerk's office separate from Rockingham County. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Harrisonburg, that is the clerk at 101 W. Main Street.
Harrisonburg is located in western Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, surrounded by Rockingham County. The city is home to James Madison University, which brings a large number of students and visitors who may need marriage license services. As an independent city, Harrisonburg has its own circuit court that operates separately from Rockingham County, even though both are in the same geographic area. Harrisonburg residents come to 101 W. Main Street; Rockingham County residents go to the county clerk in Harrisonburg (also downtown, but a separate office).
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You can apply in Harrisonburg regardless of where you live. Both applicants must appear together at the same time. No proxy applications are accepted. 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 (540) 564-3010 before your visit with any questions about documents or procedures.
| Office | Harrisonburg Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 W. Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22802 |
| Phone | (540) 564-3010 |
| 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 Harrisonburg 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 and need no additional local approval. Contact the clerk in advance if your officiant is from another state.
Marriage License Requirements in Harrisonburg
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. Expired IDs are not accepted. Call (540) 564-3010 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 provided. 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, ask the clerk for guidance.
Both applicants must be at least 18. 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 establishes your age. Bring a certified birth certificate as backup if any question comes up.
If either applicant was previously married, you must state how that marriage ended: by death, divorce, or annulment. You do not need court documents, but 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 Harrisonburg clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Harrisonburg
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 full fee when you apply. Call to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. 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 again. The ceremony must take place in Virginia. A Harrisonburg license cannot be used in another state.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Harrisonburg 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.
Harrisonburg Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Harrisonburg marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 101 W. Main 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 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 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 Harrisonburg marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Harrisonburg Marriage Records
Harrisonburg is an independent city and maintains marriage records separately from Rockingham County. The Library of Virginia holds Harrisonburg 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.
Records from before Harrisonburg became an independent city may be in Rockingham 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.
The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact details for the Harrisonburg clerk's office for historical research inquiries.
Nearby Cities
These independent cities in the Shenandoah Valley also issue marriage licenses. No residency requirement applies in Virginia.
Nearby Counties
Rockingham County surrounds Harrisonburg. Its circuit court also issues marriage licenses.