Accomack County Marriage License
Getting a marriage license in Accomack County starts at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Accomac. The Clerk handles all marriage license applications for the Eastern Shore and keeps the county's official marriage records going back to 1853. Whether you plan to wed on the shore or anywhere in Virginia, you apply here in person. Both parties must show up together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee. There is no waiting period, and the license is good for 60 days from the date the clerk issues it. This guide covers everything you need to know before you go.
Accomack County Overview
Accomack County Circuit Court Clerk
The Circuit Court Clerk in Accomac is the only office that can issue a marriage license in Accomack County. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, every marriage license in the Commonwealth must be issued by a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. The Accomack Clerk's office sits at the courthouse in Accomac and serves all residents of the county and Eastern Shore communities.
You do not have to be a resident of Accomack County to get a license here. Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. If you want to apply in Accomack, you can, even if you live elsewhere. The license works anywhere in the state for 60 days from issuance under § 20-14.1. After 60 days, the license expires and you would need to apply again.
The clerk also keeps certified copies of all marriage licenses after the officiant returns the signed certificate. Certified copies cost $2.50 each from the clerk. If more than 25 years have passed since the marriage, the record may also be available through the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records for $12 per copy.
| Office | Accomack County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 23316 Courthouse Avenue Accomac, VA 23301 |
| Phone | (757) 787-5776 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Marriage License Requirements in Accomack County
Both people who plan to marry must go to the clerk's office at the same time. You cannot send someone else in your place. Each person must bring a valid, unexpired photo ID such as a driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, or military ID. The clerk will check it before processing the application.
You will also need your Social Security number. The clerk does not typically ask for your card, but you must know your number and provide it on the application. Virginia law requires it. You will also need to provide the full legal names of both of your parents, including your mother's maiden name. If you do not know one or both parents' names, talk to the clerk about how to handle that on the form.
The fee is $30. Under Virginia Code § 20-15, $20 of that amount is a state license tax, with $10 directed to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence services. Accomack County may collect a small additional local fee. Ask the clerk's office to confirm the exact amount before you go. There is no blood test and no waiting period. You can walk out with the license the same day you apply.
The minimum age to marry in Virginia is 18, per § 20-48. Prior laws allowing marriage at 16 with parental consent were repealed. Anyone under 18 cannot get a marriage license in Virginia.
Note: Bring your documents before noon if possible, as afternoon visits near closing time may not allow enough time to process the full application.
Getting Copies of Accomack County Marriage Records
After your ceremony, the person who performs it must sign and return the marriage certificate to the Accomack Circuit Court Clerk. The clerk files it and keeps it as the official record. You can request a certified copy from that office for $2.50. For genealogical or family research purposes, older records are also held by the state and by the Library of Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Health holds marriage records from 1853 to the present. Records become fully public after 25 years under § 32.1-271. Within the 25-year window, only immediate family members such as spouses, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents can get certified copies. After 25 years, any member of the public can request a copy. The VDH charges $12 per copy, and requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at their Richmond office.
The Library of Virginia holds marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These are free to browse in their reading room or can be borrowed through interlibrary loan. Accomack County marriage records from this period are part of that statewide collection. FamilySearch also has digital records for Virginia marriages going back to 1719 through their Virginia Archives collection.
Virginia Marriage Laws and the Accomack License Process
Virginia requires that every marriage be performed under a valid license and solemnized by an authorized officiant, per § 20-13. That means you must have the license in hand before the ceremony takes place. The officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the clerk. If that does not happen, the marriage may not be officially recorded.
Who can perform a marriage in Virginia? Ordained ministers who can show proof of their ordination may be authorized by a circuit court. Judges, justices of the peace, and court clerks can also perform ceremonies. Under § 20-13.2, no clerk may deny a license based on sex, gender, or race. All lawful marriages are recognized in the Commonwealth regardless of those characteristics.
Certain marriages are not allowed under § 20-38.1. These include marriages where one party is still married to someone else, marriages between close relatives such as parent and child or siblings, and marriages between an uncle or aunt and a niece or nephew. The clerk will check your application to make sure none of these prohibitions apply.
The official Virginia wedding guide provides a quick summary of state requirements that couples often find useful when planning their ceremony in the county.
Note: Virginia does not have a waiting period, but some officiants may require advance scheduling, so plan your ceremony date before applying for the license.
Historical Marriage Records for Accomack County
Accomack County is one of the oldest counties in Virginia, and its marriage records reflect that long history. The county's official civil marriage records begin in 1853, the year Virginia first required statewide recording. Pre-1853 records exist in the form of marriage bonds, minister returns, and church records held at the Library of Virginia and through online genealogical databases.
The Library of Virginia's marriage records guide explains the different record types and how to find them. Virginia marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 include the date and place of marriage, full names of both parties, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, occupations, and the name of the officiant. These are rich sources for family history research. After 1935, the records move to the Office of Vital Records, though some are indexed online through Ancestry and FamilySearch.
Anyone researching an Accomack County marriage should also check the FamilySearch Virginia archives guide for links to digital collections. Many early Eastern Shore records have been digitized and indexed by volunteers, making it easier to find older marriages without visiting the library in person.
The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records maintains the statewide repository for all marriage records, including those filed in Accomack County.
Marriage records from Accomack County are part of the statewide vital records system and can be requested through VDH for events more than 25 years old.
Independent Cities Near Accomack County
Virginia's independent cities are separate jurisdictions that handle their own marriage licenses. The cities below are the closest to Accomack County. Each has its own circuit court clerk.
Nearby Counties
Accomack County sits at the northern end of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Northampton County is the only county that shares a border with Accomack on the Shore itself. Across the Chesapeake Bay, several counties are reachable by the Bay Bridge-Tunnel.