Petersburg Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Petersburg are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 7 Courthouse Avenue. Both applicants must appear together in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Petersburg Overview
Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for the City of Petersburg is the office that issues marriage licenses here. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, all Virginia marriage licenses must come from a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. Petersburg is an independent city in south-central Virginia, legally separate from Dinwiddie and Prince George counties that border it. The clerk's office is at 7 Courthouse Avenue, Petersburg, VA 23803.
Virginia law has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You do not need to live in Petersburg to apply there. Both applicants must come in person at the same time. No proxy or mail-in applications are allowed. The clerk processes applications the same day. Have all required documents with you when you arrive so the visit goes smoothly.
Petersburg sits on the Appomattox River in south-central Virginia, just south of Richmond. The city has its own circuit court separate from any surrounding county. The courthouse on Courthouse Avenue is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (804) 733-2367 with questions before your visit.
| Office | Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 7 Courthouse Avenue Petersburg, VA 23803 |
| Phone | (804) 733-2367 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
As an independent city, Petersburg has its own circuit court with no connection to Dinwiddie, Prince George, or Chesterfield county courts. Marriage licenses for those counties must be obtained from each county's own circuit court clerk. You can apply in any of these jurisdictions regardless of where you live. Virginia law allows residents to get a license from any circuit court clerk in the state, not just the one nearest to them.
Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate ceremonies in Petersburg must apply to the clerk for authorization, post a $500 bond, and take an oath. Virginia-licensed officiants and judges don't need any additional local approval. Contact the clerk well ahead of the ceremony if your officiant is from another state.
Marriage License Requirements in Petersburg
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 work. Expired IDs are not accepted. Call (804) 733-2367 before your visit if you have questions about specific documents.
You must provide your Social Security number. The physical card is not required, but the number must be entered 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. Gather all of this information ahead of time. If you don't know a parent's name, ask the clerk for guidance.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this minimum with no exceptions. Virginia's former law allowing younger people to marry with parental consent has been repealed. Your photo ID proves your age. Bring a certified birth certificate if age might be questioned at the time of application.
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 Petersburg clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Petersburg
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this statewide. The fee breaks down as $20 for the state license tax and $10 for the Virginia Department of Social Services domestic violence services fund. The clerk collects payment when you apply. Call (804) 733-2367 to confirm accepted payment methods before you visit.
The license is valid for 60 days from issue. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if the ceremony does not happen within 60 days, the license expires. No extension is given and no refund is available. If your wedding is delayed past that window, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must occur within Virginia. A Petersburg license cannot be used in North Carolina or any other state.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Petersburg 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.
Petersburg Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Petersburg marriage records are available from two places. The Circuit Court Clerk at 7 Courthouse Avenue holds copies of licenses issued in Petersburg. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request 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 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 following the marriage. After that, the records become public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies regardless of the record's age.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Petersburg marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Petersburg Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. Petersburg has a long history as an independent city, with records dating back well into the 19th century. The Library of Virginia holds Petersburg marriage registers on microfilm from 1853 through the early 20th century. Researchers can access these through interlibrary loan at no cost.
FamilySearch has digitized many Virginia marriage registers and made them searchable for free online. Virginia residents can also access Ancestry.com through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com service using a public library card. For more recent records, contact VDH directly or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index.
The Virginia Judicial System website provides current contact details for the Petersburg clerk for any historical record inquiries. For records tied to the surrounding Dinwiddie or Prince George areas, contact those county circuit court clerks separately.
Nearby Cities
These independent cities are near Petersburg. Each has its own circuit court clerk who can issue marriage licenses.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Petersburg. Each has its own circuit court clerk who can also issue marriage licenses.