Arlington County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Arlington County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 1425 N. Courthouse Road in Arlington. Both applicants must appear together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee. The license is valid anywhere in Virginia for 60 days.

Arlington County Circuit Court Clerk

The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Arlington County is the only office authorized to issue marriage licenses in this jurisdiction. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, all marriage licenses in the Commonwealth must come from a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. Arlington County is an urban county in Northern Virginia, directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The clerk's office is located at the Arlington County Courthouse at 1425 N. Courthouse Road, Suite 6700.

You do not need to be an Arlington County resident to apply here. Virginia law has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. Any couple can walk in, apply, and receive a license the same day as long as both people appear together and bring the required documents. The license is valid anywhere in Virginia for 60 days from the issue date. The Arlington office sees a high volume of applicants given its proximity to the Washington metro area, including many couples who live in D.C. or Maryland and prefer a Virginia license.

Arlington County provides detailed information about the marriage license process through its county website at arlingtonva.us. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Arrive with plenty of time before closing to complete the full application.

The clerk also handles minister authorizations. If your officiant is not already registered with a Virginia court, they may need to be authorized before the ceremony. Out-of-state ministers must apply to the circuit court in the jurisdiction where the wedding will take place, post a $500 bond, and execute an oath of office. Plan this well ahead of your ceremony date if an out-of-state minister will be officiating.

Marriage License Requirements in Arlington County

Both parties must appear at the clerk's office at the same time. No exceptions are made for remote applications or for someone applying on behalf of another person. Each applicant must present a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state-issued ID card, or military identification card all qualify. An expired ID will not be accepted. Call (703) 228-7010 if you have questions about a specific form of identification before visiting.

You will need to provide your Social Security number. The actual card is not required, but the number must be given on the application. Virginia Code § 20-16 requires the clerk to collect Social Security numbers along with the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name before marriage. Have all of this information ready before you go. If a parent's full name is unknown, speak with the clerk when you arrive about how to complete that section.

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as an absolute minimum with no exceptions. Virginia's prior provisions allowing marriage at younger ages with parental consent have been fully repealed. Photo ID establishes proof of age. Bring a certified birth certificate if there is any uncertainty.

Marriage License Fees in Arlington County

The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this amount statewide. The fee includes a $20 state license tax and $10 directed to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence services. The clerk collects the fee when you apply. Arlington County's office accepts cash, check, and major credit cards. Call (703) 228-7010 to confirm current payment options before your visit.

The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. Virginia Code § 20-14.1 states that if no ceremony takes place within that window, the license expires and cannot be extended. You would need to apply again and pay the $30 fee a second time. The ceremony must also take place within the Commonwealth of Virginia. An Arlington County license cannot be used for a wedding in D.C., Maryland, or any other state.

After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the marriage certificate and return it to the Arlington clerk's office. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond, where it enters the statewide marriage registry. Certified copies are available from the clerk for $2.50 each once the certificate is filed.

Arlington County Marriage Records and Certified Copies

Certified copies of Arlington County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 1425 N. Courthouse Road has 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 both spouses' names, the approximate date of the marriage, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

The VDH Office of Vital Records in Richmond also maintains copies and charges $12 per certificate. Their records cover all Virginia marriages from 1853 to the present. Requests can be submitted 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 restricted to immediate family members during the 25-year period after the marriage. After 25 years, the record becomes public and anyone may request it. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies, regardless of the record's age.

Arlington County's clerk also maintains land records, court filings, and other legal documents. The marriage license archive is one part of a broader public record system administered through the courthouse on N. Courthouse Road.

The Arlington County Circuit Court clerk at 1425 N. Courthouse Road processes marriage license applications and maintains official marriage records for the county.

Historical Arlington County Marriage Records

Virginia began requiring systematic statewide registration of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Arlington County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These registers include the date and place of marriage, full names of both parties, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, occupations, and the name of the officiant. Researchers can borrow microfilm through interlibrary loan.

FamilySearch has digitized Virginia county marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and posted them online at no cost. Virginia residents can also access Ancestry.com for free 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.

Arlington County was originally part of the land ceded to the federal government to form the District of Columbia. The area was retroceded to Virginia in 1847 and organized as Alexandria County, then renamed Arlington County in 1920. Marriage records from before the retrocession and the early county period may be found at the Library of Virginia or through the Virginia Judicial System website.

Nearby Cities

Alexandria and Falls Church are independent cities adjacent to Arlington County. Each has its own circuit court clerk for marriage licenses.

Nearby Counties

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