Winchester, Virginia Marriage License
Marriage licenses in the City of Winchester are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 5 N. Kent Street. Both applicants must appear together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Winchester Overview
Winchester Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for the City of Winchester 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. Winchester is an independent city in the northern Shenandoah Valley, surrounded by Frederick County but legally separate from it. The clerk's office is at 5 N. Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601.
Winchester and Frederick County share the same courthouse location. Both the Winchester city clerk and the Frederick County clerk operate from or near the same courthouse on Kent Street, but they are two separate offices issuing licenses for two separate jurisdictions. If you want a Winchester city license, apply at the Winchester clerk. If you want a Frederick County license, apply at the Frederick County clerk. Virginia law lets you apply at either office or at any other circuit court in the state regardless of where you live.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. Both applicants must appear in person together. No proxy or mail-in applications are allowed. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (540) 667-5770 with questions before your visit.
| Office | Winchester Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 5 N. Kent Street Winchester, VA 22601 |
| Phone | (540) 667-5770 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Winchester is the northernmost independent city in the Shenandoah Valley. It is surrounded by Frederick County, Clarke County, and Shenandoah County. Each of those counties has its own circuit court and can also issue marriage licenses. You may apply at any of them: Winchester city, Frederick County, Clarke County, or Shenandoah County, without restriction. Virginia law does not require you to use the court nearest your home or your ceremony location.
Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate ceremonies in Winchester 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 Winchester
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) 667-5770 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 you go. 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 Winchester clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Winchester
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) 667-5770 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. No extension is available and no refund is given. If the wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must occur within Virginia. A Winchester license cannot be used in West Virginia, Maryland, or any other state.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Winchester 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.
Winchester Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Winchester marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 5 N. Kent Street holds copies of licenses issued in Winchester. 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 Winchester marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Winchester Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. Winchester is one of Virginia's oldest cities, incorporated in 1752. It has a long marriage record history going back to the mid-19th century. The Library of Virginia holds Winchester marriage registers from 1853 onward 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 or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index.
Because Winchester and Frederick County share a courthouse, researchers may find early records cross-referenced between the two jurisdictions. The Virginia Judicial System website has current contact details for the Winchester clerk for historical record inquiries. The Frederick County clerk can help with county-side records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border or are close to Winchester. Each has its own circuit court clerk who can also issue marriage licenses.