Manassas Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Manassas are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 9311 Lee Avenue. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
City of Manassas Overview
Manassas Circuit Court Clerk
The City of Manassas is an independent city under Virginia law, with its own circuit court and clerk's office separate from Prince William County. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk. In Manassas, that is the clerk at 9311 Lee Avenue.
Manassas is located in northern Virginia in the Washington D.C. suburbs, surrounded by Prince William County. As an independent city, Manassas operates its own circuit court entirely separate from Prince William County. This distinction matters when you apply for a marriage license. Residents of the City of Manassas come to 9311 Lee Avenue; residents of Prince William County (which includes many other towns and communities in the area) go to the Prince William Circuit Court. The two courthouses are close to each other, but they are separate offices.
Virginia has no residency requirement. You can apply in Manassas from anywhere in the country. Both applicants must appear together at the same time. No proxy applications are accepted. Come with all required documents and 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 (703) 361-9326 before your visit with any questions.
| Office | Manassas Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 9311 Lee Avenue Manassas, VA 20110 |
| Phone | (703) 361-9326 |
| 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 Manassas 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 well in advance if your officiant is from Maryland, D.C., or another state.
Marriage License Requirements in Manassas
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 acceptable. Expired IDs will not be accepted. Call (703) 361-9326 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 arrive. If a parent's name is unknown, ask the clerk for guidance on how to proceed.
Both applicants must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as an absolute 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 the question 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 Manassas clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Manassas
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 full fee at the time of application. Call to confirm payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days. 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 Manassas license cannot be used in Maryland or D.C.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Manassas 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.
Manassas Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Manassas marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 9311 Lee Avenue. 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 period, records become public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Manassas marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Manassas Marriage Records
Manassas is an independent city and maintains marriage records separately from Prince William County. The Library of Virginia holds Manassas marriage registers from 1853 onward on microfilm. Records from before Manassas became an independent city may be in Prince William 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 online for free. Virginia library cardholders can access Ancestry.com through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com portal. For modern period records, contact the Manassas clerk's office directly or submit a request to VDH.
The Virginia Judicial System website provides current contact details for the Manassas clerk's office for research inquiries.
Nearby Cities
These independent cities in northern Virginia also issue marriage licenses. No residency requirement applies in Virginia.
Nearby Counties
Prince William County surrounds Manassas. Its circuit court also issues marriage licenses.