Alleghany County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Alleghany County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 266 W. Main Street in Covington. Both applicants must appear in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee. The license is valid for 60 days. This guide covers the clerk's office, what to bring, how to get certified copies, and how to search Alleghany County marriage records.

Alleghany County Circuit Court Clerk

The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Alleghany County is the only office authorized to issue marriage licenses in this jurisdiction. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, every marriage license in the Commonwealth must come from a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. The Alleghany clerk's office sits at the courthouse in Covington, the county seat, and serves all residents of the county. The office also handles minister authorizations and keeps the official record of all marriages filed in the county going back to 1853.

You do not have to live in Alleghany County to apply here. Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. Any couple can walk into any circuit court in the state and apply. The license is good anywhere in Virginia for 60 days from the issue date. If the ceremony does not happen in that window, the license expires and you would need to apply again. The clerk processes applications the same day, so you can get in and out quickly as long as both people arrive together with the right documents.

Alleghany County is located in the Allegheny Mountains in western Virginia. The courthouse in Covington serves as the hub for county government services. The clerk's office is on the main floor of the courthouse and is open weekday business hours.

The clerk also handles requests from ordained ministers who need court authorization to perform ceremonies in Virginia. Out-of-state ministers must apply to the circuit court in the county or city where the wedding will take place, post a $500 bond, and take an oath of office before they are authorized. If your officiant is from out of state, start this process well before your ceremony date.

Marriage License Requirements in Alleghany County

Both parties must appear together at the clerk's office. There is no remote option and no agent can apply on your behalf. Each person must bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state ID card, or military identification card all work. The ID must not be expired. If you're unsure whether your ID qualifies, call the office at (540) 965-1730 before your visit.

You will need your Social Security number. The clerk does not require you to bring the actual card, but you must know the number and provide it on the application. Virginia Code § 20-16 requires the clerk to collect this information along with the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including the mother's maiden name before marriage. If you do not know a parent's full name, try to find it before you go. This information is required on the application form.

The minimum age to marry in Virginia is 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as an absolute floor. Prior Virginia law allowed marriage at 16 with parental consent, but those provisions were repealed. Both people must be 18 or older at the time of application. Your photo ID serves as proof of age. Bring a certified copy of your birth certificate if there is any question about your age.

Marriage License Fees in Alleghany County

The marriage license fee in Alleghany County is $30. This fee is set by Virginia Code § 20-15 and is the same at every circuit court in the state. Of that $30, $20 is a state license tax and $10 goes to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence services. The clerk collects the full fee at the time of application. Call (540) 965-1730 ahead of your visit to confirm accepted payment methods, as policies on cash and cards can vary.

The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. Virginia Code § 20-14.1 is clear on this. If 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires. There is no extension and no refund. You would need to apply again and pay the fee a second time. The ceremony must also take place inside Virginia. An Alleghany County license cannot be used for an out-of-state wedding.

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the clerk's office. The clerk records the license and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records, where it becomes part of the statewide marriage registry. Certified copies are then available from the clerk for $2.50 each.

Alleghany County Marriage Records and Certified Copies

Certified copies of Alleghany County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 266 W. Main Street has copies of all licenses issued by that office. The fee is $2.50 per copy. You can request them in person or by mail. For mail requests, include both spouses' names, the approximate date of the marriage, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

The VDH Office of Vital Records in Richmond also holds copies and charges $12 per certificate. Their records cover all Virginia marriages from 1853 to the present. You can submit requests online through their portal, by mail to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218, or in person at 8701 Park Central Drive, Richmond. Phone: (804) 662-6200. For expedited service, use VitalChek or call 1-877-572-6333.

Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, certified copies are only available to immediate family members during the 25-year restricted period following the marriage. After 25 years, the record becomes public and anyone may request it. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies provided to the public.

The Alleghany County Circuit Court provides information about the clerk's office and the services it offers, including marriage license records.

The Alleghany County Circuit Court in Covington handles all marriage license applications and maintains the official record of marriages filed in the county.

Historical Alleghany County Marriage Records

Virginia began requiring systematic registration of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Alleghany County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These registers contain the date and place of marriage, full names of both parties, ages, birthplaces, occupations, parents' names, and the officiant's name. Researchers can borrow microfilm through interlibrary loan at no charge.

FamilySearch has digitized Virginia county marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and made them free online. Virginia residents can also access Ancestry.com at no cost 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, which covers marriages since 1936.

Alleghany County was formed in 1822 from parts of Bath, Botetourt, and Monroe counties. Marriage bonds and minister returns from the early county period may be found at the Library of Virginia's archives division. The Virginia Judicial System website lists contact details for the Alleghany clerk's office if you need to reach them for historical record inquiries.

Nearby Cities

Covington is an independent city that sits within the geographic boundaries of Alleghany County but operates as a separate jurisdiction with its own circuit court clerk. Residents of Covington obtain marriage licenses through that city's court, not through Alleghany County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Alleghany. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.