Lynchburg Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Lynchburg are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 900 Court Street. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
City of Lynchburg Overview
Lynchburg Circuit Court Clerk
The City of Lynchburg is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court and clerk's office separate from Amherst, Campbell, and Bedford counties. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Lynchburg, that is the clerk at 900 Court Street.
Lynchburg is located in central Virginia in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the James River, bordered by Amherst County to the north, Campbell County to the south, and Bedford County to the west. As an independent city, Lynchburg operates its own circuit court entirely separate from any of those surrounding counties. Residents of the city come to 900 Court Street; residents of the surrounding counties go to their respective county clerks.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You can apply in Lynchburg regardless of where you live. Both applicants must appear together at the same time. No proxy applications are accepted. Plan to complete the entire process in one visit.
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (434) 455-2610 before your visit with any questions about required documents or procedures.
| Office | Lynchburg Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 Court Street Lynchburg, VA 24504 |
| Phone | (434) 455-2610 |
| 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 Lynchburg 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 well in advance if your officiant holds credentials from another state.
Marriage License Requirements in Lynchburg
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 will not be accepted. Call (434) 455-2610 before your visit if you have a question about whether a specific document will work.
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 arrive. 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 proves your age. Bring a certified birth certificate as backup if there is any question.
If either applicant was previously married, you must disclose how that marriage ended: by death, divorce, or annulment. Answer the question 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 Lynchburg clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Lynchburg
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 the full fee when you apply. Call (434) 455-2610 to confirm which payment methods are accepted 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 in 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 Lynchburg license cannot be used in another state.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Lynchburg 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.
Lynchburg Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Lynchburg marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 900 Court 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 all 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 Lynchburg marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Lynchburg Marriage Records
Lynchburg is an independent city and maintains its marriage records separately from Amherst, Campbell, and Bedford counties. The Library of Virginia holds Lynchburg 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 Lynchburg became an independent city may be in Campbell 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 the modern period, contact the Lynchburg clerk or submit a request to VDH.
The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact information for the Lynchburg clerk's office for historical record inquiries. The Library of Virginia in Richmond holds pre-1853 records for the region.
Nearby Counties
Amherst, Campbell, and Bedford counties surround Lynchburg. Their circuit courts also issue marriage licenses with no residency requirement.