Waynesboro Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Waynesboro are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 250 S. Wayne Avenue. Both applicants must appear together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Waynesboro Overview
Waynesboro Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for the City of Waynesboro 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. Waynesboro is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by Augusta County but legally separate from it. The clerk's office is at 250 S. Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You don't need to live in Waynesboro to apply here. Both applicants must appear together in person. No proxy or mail-in applications are allowed. The clerk handles applications the same day during business hours. Have all required documents ready before you arrive.
Waynesboro sits at the eastern edge of the Shenandoah Valley near Rockfish Gap, where Interstate 64 crosses the Blue Ridge. The city is close to both Staunton and the Augusta County courthouse (also in Staunton). The clerk's office on S. Wayne Avenue is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (540) 942-6616 with questions before your visit.
| Office | Waynesboro Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 250 S. Wayne Avenue Waynesboro, VA 22980 |
| Phone | (540) 942-6616 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Waynesboro is an independent city, meaning its circuit court operates separately from Augusta County. Augusta County residents who want a county license must go to the Augusta County Circuit Court in Staunton. But Virginia law lets any couple apply at any circuit court in the state. You can apply in Waynesboro, Staunton, or anywhere else in Virginia regardless of where you live or where the ceremony will be held.
Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate ceremonies in Waynesboro must apply to the clerk for authorization, post a $500 bond, and take an oath. Virginia-licensed officiants and judges are already authorized by law. Contact the clerk early if your officiant is from outside Virginia.
Marriage License Requirements in Waynesboro
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 (540) 942-6616 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 this 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 the Waynesboro clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Waynesboro
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this 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 (540) 942-6616 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony takes place within 60 days, the license expires with no extension and no refund. If the wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must occur within Virginia. A Waynesboro license cannot be used in West Virginia, North Carolina, or any other state.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Waynesboro 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.
Waynesboro Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Waynesboro marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 250 S. Wayne Avenue holds copies of licenses issued in Waynesboro. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request them 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, they become public records. Social Security numbers are always redacted regardless of the record's age.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Waynesboro marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Waynesboro Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. Waynesboro was incorporated as an independent city in 1948. Before that, the area was part of Augusta County. Marriage records from before 1948 for this area are held under Augusta County records 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 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 or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index.
The Virginia Judicial System website has current contact details for the Waynesboro clerk for historical record inquiries. For older records tied to Augusta County, contact the Augusta County Circuit Court clerk in Staunton.
Nearby Cities
These independent cities are near Waynesboro in the Shenandoah Valley and western Virginia. Each has its own circuit court clerk who can issue marriage licenses.
Nearby Counties
Augusta County surrounds Waynesboro. The Augusta County clerk can also issue marriage licenses.