Amelia County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Amelia County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 16360 Court Street in Amelia Court House. Both parties must appear together, bring valid photo ID and Social Security numbers, and pay the $30 fee. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date.
Amelia County Overview
Amelia County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Amelia County is the sole office authorized to issue marriage licenses in the county. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, only a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk may issue a marriage license in the Commonwealth. The Amelia clerk's office is at the courthouse in Amelia Court House, the county seat, and handles all marriage license applications for residents and non-residents alike. The clerk also maintains the county's official marriage record archive going back to the 1800s.
There is no residency requirement. Virginia law allows any couple to apply at any circuit court in the state, no matter where they live. If you want to get your license in Amelia County, you can do so even if your home address is somewhere else entirely. You cannot, however, send a representative. Both people must show up at the same time in person. The clerk will process the application the same day.
Amelia County is in central Virginia, roughly midway between Richmond and Farmville. The courthouse sits at the center of the small town of Amelia Court House. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
| Office | Amelia County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 16360 Court Street Amelia Court House, VA 23002 |
| Phone | (804) 561-2128 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
The clerk also handles minister authorizations. If the person performing your ceremony needs to be authorized by a Virginia circuit court, they must apply in the county or city where the wedding will take place. Out-of-state ministers have additional steps, including posting a bond and taking an oath. Plan ahead if your officiant comes from outside Virginia.
Marriage License Requirements in Amelia County
Both people who plan to marry must come to the clerk's office together. One person cannot go alone and submit paperwork for both. Each applicant needs a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID all work. If your ID is expired, the clerk will not accept it. Call (804) 561-2128 if you have questions about a specific form of identification.
You will need to provide your Social Security number. The card itself is not required, but you need to know the number. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk must collect Social Security numbers along with the full legal names of both parties' parents, including each mother's maiden name. Having this information ready before you go will make the process much faster. If you genuinely do not know a parent's full name, talk to the clerk about how to handle that on the form.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets 18 as the minimum age with no exceptions. Prior Virginia law allowed younger people to marry with parental consent, but those provisions have been repealed. Your photo ID is your proof of age. Bring a certified birth certificate if there is any uncertainty.
Note: Virginia has no waiting period. There is also no blood test requirement. You can apply and walk out with the license the same day.
Marriage License Fees in Amelia County
The fee for a marriage license in Amelia County is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this statewide. Of the $30, $20 is a state license tax and $10 is directed to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence prevention services. The clerk collects the fee at the time of application. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods the office accepts.
The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. Virginia Code § 20-14.1 is clear that if 60 days pass without a ceremony, the license expires and there is no way to extend it. You would need to apply again and pay the fee over. The ceremony must also happen within the Commonwealth of Virginia. An Amelia County marriage license cannot be used for a wedding in another state.
After your ceremony, the officiant must sign and return the marriage certificate to the Amelia County clerk. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Certified copies are then available through the clerk for $2.50 each.
Amelia County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Two offices can provide certified copies of an Amelia County marriage record. The Circuit Court Clerk at 16360 Court Street holds copies of all licenses issued by that office. Certified copies cost $2.50 each. You can request in person or by mail. For mail requests, include the names of both spouses, 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 request online through their portal, by mail to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218, or in person at 8701 Park Central Drive. Phone: (804) 662-6200. For expedited processing, contact 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, the record becomes fully public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from any copy provided to the public, regardless of how old the record is.
The VDH FAQ page has more detail on eligibility requirements, acceptable ID, and how to submit a request for a marriage certificate from Amelia County or any other Virginia jurisdiction.
The Amelia County Circuit Court clerk processes marriage license applications and maintains official marriage records for the county.
Historical Amelia County Marriage Records
Virginia required statewide registration of marriages beginning in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Amelia County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These registers list the date and place of marriage, both parties' full names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, occupations, and the name of the officiant. Researchers can borrow this microfilm through interlibrary loan from the Library of Virginia.
FamilySearch has digitized Virginia county marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and posted them free online. Virginia residents can also access Ancestry.com through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com service using a public library card number. For records after 1935, contact VDH or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index, which covers marriages statewide since 1936.
Amelia County was formed in 1734 from Prince George and Brunswick counties. Marriage bonds and minister returns from before 1853 are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website lists contact information for all Virginia circuit courts, including Amelia County, for historical record requests.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Amelia. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of your home address.