Augusta County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Augusta County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 1 E. Johnson Street in Staunton. Both parties must appear together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee. The license is valid for 60 days anywhere in Virginia.
Augusta County Overview
Augusta County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Augusta County issues all marriage licenses for the county and maintains the official marriage record archive. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, every marriage license in Virginia must be issued by a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. The Augusta County clerk's office is located at 1 E. Johnson Street in Staunton, which is the county seat. Note that Staunton is an independent city and operates its own separate circuit court for city residents. The Augusta County courthouse is in Staunton geographically, but it serves county residents specifically.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You can apply at the Augusta County clerk's office even if you live elsewhere in Virginia or in another state. The only requirement is that both people show up together in person. The clerk handles applications the same day, so there is no wait for paperwork to be reviewed or mailed back. Both people must bring their documents, and the license is ready before you leave.
Augusta County is located in the Shenandoah Valley in western Virginia. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (540) 245-5329 with any questions before your visit.
| Office | Augusta County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 E. Johnson Street Staunton, VA 24401 |
| Phone | (540) 245-5329 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 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 court, that authorization must be obtained from the circuit court in the county or city where the wedding will take place. Out-of-state ministers must post a bond and take an oath. If your officiant is from out of state, give the office a call well ahead of the ceremony date.
Marriage License Requirements in Augusta County
Both applicants must come to the clerk's office together. There is no remote or proxy option. Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state-issued ID card, or military ID all qualify. An expired ID will not be accepted. If you have a question about a specific form of ID, call (540) 245-5329 before making the drive.
You will need to provide your Social Security number. The card is not required, but you must know the number and give it on the application form. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk must also collect the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name before marriage. Get this information together before you go. If a parent's name is unknown, speak to the clerk about how to handle the form.
Both applicants must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this minimum with no exceptions. Prior Virginia law allowed marriage at 16 with parental consent. Those provisions have been repealed entirely. Your photo ID establishes proof of age. If there is any question, bring a certified birth certificate.
Note: Virginia has no waiting period and no blood test requirement. You can walk in, apply, and leave with the license the same day.
Marriage License Fees in Augusta County
The fee for a marriage license in Augusta County is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this statewide. The fee consists of a $20 state license tax and $10 directed to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence services. The clerk collects the full amount at the time of application. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods the office accepts.
The license is valid for 60 days. Virginia Code § 20-14.1 makes clear that if no ceremony happens within 60 days, the license expires with no extension option. The fee is not refunded. If your wedding is delayed beyond that window, you will need to apply again and pay a second time. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. An Augusta County license is not valid in another state.
Once your ceremony is complete, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Augusta clerk's office. 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.
Augusta County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Two offices hold certified copies of Augusta County marriage records. The Circuit Court Clerk at 1 E. Johnson Street has copies of licenses issued there. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request them in person or by mail. For mail requests, include both spouses' names, the approximate marriage date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The VDH Office of Vital Records in Richmond also has copies and charges $12 per certificate. Their records cover all Virginia marriages from 1853 to the present. You can submit requests online, by mail to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218, or in person at 8701 Park Central Drive. Phone: (804) 662-6200. Expedited service is available through VitalChek at 1-877-572-6333.
Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, records are restricted to immediate family members for 25 years following the marriage. After 25 years, records become public. Social Security numbers are redacted from all copies regardless of the record's age.
The VDH FAQ page covers eligibility, acceptable ID forms, and how to request records from Augusta County or any other Virginia jurisdiction.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Augusta County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system, available for events older than 25 years.
Historical Augusta County Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Augusta 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 officiant. Researchers can borrow microfilm through interlibrary loan at no cost.
FamilySearch has digitized Virginia county marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and made them available online for free. Virginia residents can access Ancestry.com 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 the state from 1936 forward.
Augusta County was formed in 1745 and has some of the oldest marriage records in western Virginia. Marriage bonds from before 1853 are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website lists contact information for the Augusta clerk's office if you need to reach them for historical record requests.
Nearby Cities
Staunton and Waynesboro are independent cities within the geographic boundaries of Augusta County but operate as separate jurisdictions with their own circuit courts. Residents of Staunton or Waynesboro apply for marriage licenses at their respective city clerks, not at the Augusta County clerk's office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Augusta. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of your address.