Suffolk Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Suffolk are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 150 N. Main Street. Both applicants must appear together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Suffolk Overview
Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for the City of Suffolk is the office that issues marriage licenses here. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, all Virginia marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. Suffolk is an independent city in southeastern Virginia and is the largest city in Virginia by land area. It was formerly Nansemond County before it merged with the city. Suffolk operates its own circuit court separate from any county. The clerk's office is at 150 N. Main Street, Suffolk, VA 23434.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You do not need to live in Suffolk to apply here. Both applicants must appear together in person. No proxy applications or mail-in applications are allowed. The clerk processes applications the same day during regular business hours. Have all required documents ready before you arrive.
Suffolk is in the Hampton Roads area. The clerk's office on N. Main Street is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (757) 514-7800 with questions before your visit.
| Office | Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 150 N. Main Street Suffolk, VA 23434 |
| Phone | (757) 514-7800 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Suffolk is an independent city. Its circuit court is entirely separate from Isle of Wight County and Southampton County, which border it. Marriage licenses for those counties are handled by their own circuit court clerks. You can apply for a marriage license at Suffolk's clerk or at any other circuit court in Virginia. Virginia law doesn't limit you to the clerk nearest your home or your ceremony location.
Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate ceremonies in Suffolk must apply to the clerk for authorization, post a $500 bond, and take an oath. Virginia-licensed officiants and judges are already authorized. Contact the clerk early if your officiant is from outside Virginia.
Marriage License Requirements in Suffolk
Both applicants must come to 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) 514-7800 before your visit if you have questions about which documents work.
You must provide your Social Security number. The physical card is not required, but the number must be 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. Have all of this ready before your visit. If a parent's name is unknown, ask the clerk how to handle it.
Both applicants must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as the minimum with no exceptions. Virginia's former law allowing younger applicants with parental consent has been repealed. Your photo ID proves 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 Suffolk clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Suffolk
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 services. The clerk collects this when you apply. Call (757) 514-7800 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony occurs within 60 days the license expires with no extension and no refund. If the wedding is delayed, you must reapply and pay the full fee again. The ceremony must occur in Virginia. A Suffolk license is not valid in North Carolina or any other state.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Suffolk 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.
Suffolk Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Suffolk marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 150 N. Main Street holds copies of licenses issued in Suffolk. 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 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, records are public. Social Security numbers are always redacted regardless of the record's age.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Suffolk marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Suffolk Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. Suffolk was incorporated as a city in 1910, and the surrounding Nansemond County was merged with it in 1974. Marriage records from the former Nansemond County are held at the Library of Virginia. Researchers can access microfilm through interlibrary loan at no cost.
FamilySearch has digitized many Virginia marriage registers and made them searchable for free. 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 or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index.
The Virginia Judicial System website has current contact details for the Suffolk clerk for historical record inquiries. For records tied to the former Nansemond County, both the Suffolk clerk and the Library of Virginia are good resources.
Nearby Cities
These independent cities are near Suffolk in the Hampton Roads area. Each has its own circuit court clerk who can issue marriage licenses.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Suffolk. Each has its own circuit court clerk who can also issue marriage licenses.