Norton, Virginia Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Norton are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 618 Virginia Avenue NW. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Norton Overview
Norton Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for the City of Norton is the office authorized to issue marriage licenses here. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, all Virginia marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. Norton is an independent city in the coalfields of far southwestern Virginia, surrounded by Wise County but legally separate from it. The clerk's office is at 618 Virginia Avenue NW, Norton, VA 24273.
Virginia law has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You do not need to live in Norton to apply here. Any couple can apply at any Virginia circuit court clerk's office. Both applicants must be present together in person. No proxy applications or mail-in applications are permitted. The clerk handles applications during regular business hours and processes them the same day. Have all required documents ready before you arrive.
Norton is a small independent city in the heart of the Virginia coalfields. It is surrounded entirely by Wise County, though the two are separate jurisdictions. The clerk's office on Virginia Avenue is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (276) 679-1851 with questions before your visit.
| Office | Norton Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 618 Virginia Avenue NW Norton, VA 24273 |
| Phone | (276) 679-1851 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Because Norton is an independent city, it maintains its own circuit court entirely separate from Wise County. Wise County marriage licenses are handled by the Wise County Circuit Court clerk, not here. If you live in Wise County and want a license, you can apply either in Norton or in the Wise County circuit court. Virginia law allows you to apply anywhere in the state regardless of residence or where the ceremony will take place.
Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate ceremonies in Norton must apply to the Norton clerk for authorization. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath before the clerk. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges are already authorized and need no further local approval. Contact the clerk early if your officiant is from outside Virginia.
Marriage License Requirements in Norton
Both applicants must come to the clerk's office together. Each needs a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state ID card, or military ID is acceptable. Expired IDs will not be accepted. Call (276) 679-1851 before your visit if you have questions about which documents qualify.
You must provide your Social Security number. The physical card is not required, but the number must be given on the application. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk also requires the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name before marriage. Gather this information before your visit. If a parent's name is not known, speak with the clerk about how to handle it.
Both applicants must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as the minimum with no exceptions allowed. Virginia's former law permitting younger applicants with parental consent has been repealed. Your photo ID shows proof of age. Bring a certified birth certificate if there is any question about your age at the time of application.
No blood test is required and there is no waiting period. You can apply and receive the marriage license on the same day you visit the Norton clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Norton
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this fee statewide. Of the $30, $20 is a state license tax and $10 is directed to the Virginia Department of Social Services to fund domestic violence services. The clerk collects this when you apply. Call (276) 679-1851 ahead of time to confirm accepted payment methods.
The license is valid for 60 days. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if the ceremony does not take place within 60 days, the license expires. No extension is available and no refund is given. If the wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must apply again and pay the fee a second time. The ceremony must also occur within Virginia. A Norton license is not valid in Kentucky, Tennessee, or any other state.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Norton 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.
Norton Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Norton marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 618 Virginia Avenue NW holds copies of licenses issued in Norton. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request them in person or by mail. For mail requests, include both spouses' full names, the approximate marriage date, 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. 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. For expedited 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, the records become public. Social Security numbers are always removed from copies no matter how old the record is.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Norton marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Norton Marriage Records
Virginia required statewide recording of marriages starting in 1853. Norton was chartered as an independent city in 1954, carved from what had been part of Wise County. Marriage records from before Norton's incorporation are held at the Library of Virginia under Wise County records. The Library of Virginia holds the county's marriage registers on microfilm and makes them available through interlibrary loan at no cost.
FamilySearch has digitized many Virginia marriage registers and made them freely searchable online. Virginia residents can also access Ancestry.com through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com service using a public library card. For records after 1935, contact VDH directly or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index.
The Virginia Judicial System website provides current contact details for the Norton clerk for any historical record inquiries. For older records tied to Wise County, the Wise County Circuit Court clerk's office is the right contact.
Nearby Counties
Norton is surrounded by Wise County. The Wise County Circuit Court clerk can also issue marriage licenses.