Virginia Beach Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Virginia Beach are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Building 10. Both applicants must appear together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Virginia Beach Overview
Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for the City of Virginia Beach 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. Virginia Beach is an independent city and Virginia's most populous city. It was formerly Princess Anne County before merging in 1963. The city operates its own circuit court entirely separate from any county. The clerk's office is at 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Building 10, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You don't need to live in Virginia Beach to apply here. Both applicants must appear together in person. No proxy or mail-in applications are accepted. The clerk processes applications during regular business hours. Note that marriage license hours end at 3:30 p.m., earlier than general office hours, so plan to arrive well before that time.
Virginia Beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean in southeastern Virginia, part of the Hampton Roads metro area. The clerk's office at Nimmo Parkway is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (marriage licenses issued until 3:30 p.m.). Call (757) 385-8827 with questions before your visit.
| Office | Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Building 10 Virginia Beach, VA 23456 |
| Phone | (757) 385-8827 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Marriage licenses issued until 3:30 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Virginia Beach is an independent city with its own circuit court separate from any county. The surrounding Hampton Roads cities (Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Suffolk) each have their own independent courts as well. You can apply for a marriage license at any of these locations regardless of where you live. Virginia law does not require you to use the clerk nearest your home or your ceremony location. The license is valid for use anywhere in Virginia.
Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate in Virginia Beach must apply to the clerk for authorization, post a $500 bond, and take an oath. Virginia-licensed officiants and judges are already authorized by state law. Contact the clerk early if your officiant is from outside Virginia.
Marriage License Requirements in Virginia Beach
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 all qualify. Expired IDs are not accepted. Call (757) 385-8827 before your visit if you have questions about your documents.
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 requires the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name. Have this information ready before your visit. If a parent's name is unknown, ask the clerk how to proceed.
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 receive the marriage license the same day you visit. Arrive before 3:30 p.m., as that is when marriage license issuance ends for the day.
Marriage License Fees in Virginia Beach
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 this when you apply. Call (757) 385-8827 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days from issue. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony occurs 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 reapply and pay the full fee. The ceremony must occur within Virginia. A Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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.
Virginia Beach Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Virginia Beach marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 2425 Nimmo Parkway, Building 10 holds copies of licenses issued in Virginia Beach. Copies cost $2.50 each. Request in person or by mail. For mail requests, include both spouses' 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 after the marriage. After that, records are public. Social Security numbers are always removed from copies regardless of the record's age.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Virginia Beach marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Virginia Beach Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. Virginia Beach merged with Princess Anne County in 1963. Marriage records from Princess Anne County, which go back to the 19th century, are held at the Library of Virginia on microfilm. Researchers can access these 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 with a public library card. For records after 1935, contact VDH directly or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index.
The Virginia Judicial System website has current contact details for the Virginia Beach clerk for historical record inquiries. For records tied to the former Princess Anne County, both the Virginia Beach clerk and the Library of Virginia are appropriate resources.
Nearby Cities
These independent cities are close to Virginia Beach. Each has its own circuit court clerk who can issue marriage licenses.