Get a Marriage License in Norfolk, Virginia
Marriage licenses in the City of Norfolk are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 150 St. Paul's Blvd., 7th Floor. Both applicants must appear together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Norfolk Overview
Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for the City of Norfolk is the only office that can issue marriage licenses in this city. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, all Virginia marriage licenses must come from a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. Norfolk is an independent city in Virginia, meaning it has its own circuit court entirely separate from any county. The clerk's office is on the 7th floor at 150 St. Paul's Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23510.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You don't have to live in Norfolk to apply here. Any couple in Virginia can walk in and apply at any circuit court. Both applicants must appear together in person. No proxy or mail-in applications are accepted. The clerk handles applications the same day. Have all your documents ready before you go.
Norfolk is Virginia's second-largest city, located in the Hampton Roads metro area in southeastern Virginia. The city is home to Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base. The courthouse at 150 St. Paul's Blvd. is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (757) 664-4380 with questions before your visit.
| Office | Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 150 St. Paul's Blvd., 7th Floor Norfolk, VA 23510 |
| Phone | (757) 664-4380 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Because Norfolk is an independent city, it is not part of any county. There is no surrounding county courthouse that handles Norfolk marriage licenses. The Norfolk Circuit Court clerk's office on St. Paul's Blvd. is the only place to apply. If you are unsure whether to apply in Norfolk or a nearby jurisdiction like Chesapeake or Virginia Beach, remember that Virginia allows you to apply at any clerk's office in the state regardless of where you live or where the ceremony will be held.
Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate in Norfolk must apply to the clerk for authorization. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath before the clerk. Virginia-licensed officiants and judges do not need any additional local approval. Contact the clerk well ahead of the ceremony if your officiant is from another state.
Marriage License Requirements in Norfolk
Both applicants must visit the clerk's office together. Each person needs a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state ID card, or military ID all qualify. Expired IDs are not accepted. Call (757) 664-4380 before your visit if you are unsure whether your document will work.
You must provide your Social Security number. The physical card is not required, but the number must appear on the application. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk also needs the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name. Have this information ready before you go. If a parent's name is not known, ask the clerk how to handle it.
Both applicants must be 18 or older. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets 18 as the minimum with no exceptions. Virginia's old law allowing younger applicants with parental consent has been repealed. Your photo ID establishes your age. Bring a certified birth certificate if there is any question.
No blood test is required and there is no waiting period. You can apply and pick up the marriage license the same day you visit the Norfolk clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Norfolk
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this fee statewide. Of the $30, $20 is the state license tax and $10 goes to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence programs. The clerk collects payment when you apply. Call (757) 664-4380 ahead of time to confirm accepted payment methods.
The license is valid for 60 days. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony happens within that period, the license expires with no extension and no refund. If your wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must apply again and pay the full fee. The ceremony must occur within Virginia. A Norfolk license cannot be used in North Carolina, Maryland, or any other state.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Norfolk clerk. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Certified copies are then available through the clerk for $2.50 each.
Norfolk Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Norfolk marriage records come from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 150 St. Paul's Blvd. holds copies of licenses issued in Norfolk. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request in person or by mail. For mail requests, send both spouses' names, the approximate marriage date, your payment, 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. Requests can be made online, by mail to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218, or in person at 8701 Park Central Drive. Phone: (804) 662-6200. For faster service, use VitalChek at 1-877-572-6333.
Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, certified copies are restricted to immediate family members for 25 years after the marriage. After that, they become public records. Social Security numbers are always removed from copies regardless of how old the record is.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Norfolk marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Norfolk Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. Norfolk has one of the longest records of any Virginia city, with the area dating back to the colonial era. The Library of Virginia holds Norfolk marriage registers from 1853 through the mid-20th century on microfilm. Researchers can borrow microfilm through interlibrary loan at no charge.
FamilySearch has digitized many Virginia marriage registers and made them searchable at no cost. Virginia residents can also access Ancestry.com through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com service with a public library card. For more recent records, contact VDH directly or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index.
Norfolk County was a separate entity from the City of Norfolk for much of Virginia's history. Marriage records from that county, which was absorbed into the city, are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website has current contact details for the Norfolk clerk for historical record requests.
Nearby Cities
These independent cities are close to Norfolk. Each has its own circuit court clerk who can issue marriage licenses.