Appomattox County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Appomattox County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 179 Morton Lane in Appomattox. Both parties must appear together, show valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.
Appomattox County Overview
Appomattox County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Appomattox County handles all marriage license applications and maintains the official marriage record archive for the county. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, every marriage license in Virginia must be issued by a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. The Appomattox clerk's office is at 179 Morton Lane in the town of Appomattox, which serves as the county seat for this central Virginia county.
Residency is not a factor in Virginia marriage license applications. You can apply at any circuit court in the state regardless of where you live or where the wedding will take place. Both people must appear in person at the same time. You cannot apply separately on different days. The clerk processes applications on the same visit, so you can typically walk in and walk out with the license in hand as long as you have all the required documents.
The Appomattox clerk's office is open Monday through Friday. The courthouse is at 179 Morton Lane in the town of Appomattox. If you have questions before your visit, call (434) 352-0730.
| Office | Appomattox County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 179 Morton Lane Appomattox, VA 24522 |
| Phone | (434) 352-0730 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
The clerk also handles minister authorizations for ceremonies in the county. Ordained ministers from Virginia who can show proof of their ordination may be authorized to perform marriages. Out-of-state ministers must apply to the circuit court where the wedding will occur, post a $500 bond, and take an oath of office. Start this process several days before the ceremony if your officiant is from out of state.
Marriage License Requirements in Appomattox County
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office at the same time. There is no way around this. Each person must bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state-issued ID card, or military ID all qualify. The ID must not be expired. If you have a question about a specific form of ID before you make the trip, call (434) 352-0730.
You need to know your Social Security number. The card is not required, but the number must be provided on the application. Virginia Code § 20-16 also requires the clerk to collect the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name before marriage. Have all of this information ready when you go. If a parent's name is unknown to you, ask the clerk how to handle that portion of the form when you arrive.
Both parties must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a hard minimum with no exceptions. Virginia previously allowed younger applicants to marry with parental consent, but those provisions have been repealed in full. Proof of age is your photo ID. If there is any question, bring a certified birth certificate.
Note: Virginia does not require a blood test and has no waiting period. You can apply and receive your marriage license during a single visit to the office.
Marriage License Fees in Appomattox County
The fee for a marriage license in Appomattox County is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this statewide. The $30 breaks down as a $20 state license tax plus $10 directed to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence services. The clerk collects the fee at the time of application. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods the Appomattox office accepts.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date the clerk issues it. This is set by Virginia Code § 20-14.1. If no ceremony takes place within that period, the license expires. You cannot extend it and the fee is not refunded. If the wedding is postponed beyond the 60-day window, you will need to apply again. The ceremony must also take place in Virginia. An Appomattox County license is not valid outside the Commonwealth.
After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the marriage certificate and return it to the clerk. The clerk records the document and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. Certified copies become available through the clerk for $2.50 each once the license is returned and filed.
Appomattox County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Appomattox County marriage records can be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk at 179 Morton Lane. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request in person or by mail. Mail requests should 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 has copies of all Virginia marriage records since 1853. Their fee is $12 per certificate. You can request online, 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, 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 25 years, records are public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies issued to anyone, regardless of when the marriage occurred.
The Appomattox County Circuit Court serves the county's clerking and record-keeping needs. Contact the office at (434) 352-0730 for specific questions about requesting records or submitting a mail application.
The Appomattox County Circuit Court clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains official marriage records for the county at 179 Morton Lane in Appomattox.
Historical Appomattox County Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring systematic statewide recording of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Appomattox County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These registers include the date and place of marriage, both parties' full names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, occupations, and the officiant's name. Microfilm can be borrowed through interlibrary loan at no cost.
FamilySearch has digitized Virginia county marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and made them searchable online for free. Virginia residents can access Ancestry.com at no charge through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com service using a public library card number. For records after 1935, contact VDH directly or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index, which covers the state from 1936 forward.
Appomattox County was formed in 1845 from parts of Buckingham, Prince Edward, Charlotte, and Campbell counties. Marriage bonds from before 1853 may be found at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact information for all circuit courts, including Appomattox, for historical record requests.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Appomattox. You can apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.