Lexington, Virginia Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Lexington are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 7 N. Main Street. Both applicants must appear in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
City of Lexington Overview
Lexington Circuit Court Clerk
The City of Lexington is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court and clerk's office separate from Rockbridge County. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Lexington, that is the clerk at 7 N. Main Street.
Lexington is located in western Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, surrounded by Rockbridge County. The city is home to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and Washington and Lee University, giving it a significant student and visitor population throughout the year. As an independent city, Lexington operates its own circuit court separate from Rockbridge County. The two are in the same geographic area, but each has its own clerk's office and separate marriage license records.
Virginia has no residency requirement. You can apply in Lexington regardless of where you live. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together at the same time. No proxy applications are accepted. 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 (540) 463-2341 before your visit with any questions about the application process or required documents.
| Office | Lexington Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 7 N. Main Street Lexington, VA 24450 |
| Phone | (540) 463-2341 |
| 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 Lexington 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 and need no additional local steps. Contact the clerk in advance if your officiant holds credentials from West Virginia or another state.
Marriage License Requirements in Lexington
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 accepted. Expired IDs are not accepted. Call (540) 463-2341 before your visit if you have a question about whether a specific form of ID 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 this information ready before your visit. 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 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.
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 Lexington clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Lexington
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this 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 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 wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay the fee again. The ceremony must take place in Virginia. A Lexington license cannot be used in West Virginia or another state.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Lexington 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.
Lexington Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Lexington marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 7 N. 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. Records become public after that. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Lexington marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Lexington Marriage Records
Lexington is an independent city and maintains marriage records separately from Rockbridge County. The Library of Virginia holds Lexington marriage registers from 1853 onward on microfilm. These include both parties' names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, and the date and place of marriage. Records from before Lexington's status as an independent city may be in Rockbridge 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 for free online searching. Virginia library cardholders can access Ancestry.com through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com portal. The Library of Virginia in Richmond holds pre-1853 records for the region.
The Virginia Judicial System website lists contact details for the Lexington clerk's office, which can assist with historical marriage record inquiries.
Nearby Cities
These independent cities in western Virginia also issue marriage licenses. No residency requirement applies in Virginia.
Nearby Counties
Rockbridge County surrounds Lexington. Its circuit court also issues marriage licenses.