Bath County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Bath County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 65 Courthouse Hill Road in Warm Springs. Both applicants must appear together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee. The license is valid for 60 days anywhere in Virginia.
Bath County Overview
Bath County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Bath County is the only office authorized to issue marriage licenses in this jurisdiction. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, all Virginia marriage licenses must come from a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. The Bath County clerk's office is at the courthouse in Warm Springs, the county seat, in the mountains of western Virginia. The office handles all marriage license applications and keeps the official marriage record archive for the county.
Bath County is one of Virginia's smaller, more rural counties. The courthouse in Warm Springs is a historic building that has served the county for generations. Despite its size, the clerk's office handles all the same marriage license functions as any other Virginia circuit court. There is no residency requirement. Any couple can apply here even if they live elsewhere in Virginia or in another state. The only requirement is that both people appear together in person on the day they apply.
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (540) 839-7226 before visiting if you have questions about your specific situation. The office handles minister authorizations, certified copy requests, and marriage record searches in addition to new license applications.
| Office | Bath County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 65 Courthouse Hill Road Warm Springs, VA 24484 |
| Phone | (540) 839-7226 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to perform ceremonies in Bath County must obtain authorization from the clerk. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office before being permitted to perform the ceremony. Give the clerk's office ample notice if an out-of-state officiant will be involved.
Marriage License Requirements in Bath County
Both parties must come to the clerk's office at the same time. One person cannot apply on behalf of the other. Bring a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, U.S. passport, state-issued ID card, or military ID. Expired IDs are not accepted. Call (540) 839-7226 if you have questions about a specific form of identification before making the trip to Warm Springs.
You need to provide your Social Security number. You do not need to bring the card, but you must know the number. Virginia Code § 20-16 requires the clerk to collect this information along with the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name before marriage. Have all of this ready before you arrive. If a parent's name is unknown to you, ask the clerk how to handle that portion of the application.
The minimum age to marry in Virginia is 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a hard floor with no exceptions. Earlier Virginia law that allowed marriage at younger ages with parental consent has been fully repealed. Your photo ID serves as proof of age. If there is any question about age, bring a certified birth certificate.
Note: No blood test is required and there is no waiting period. You can apply and receive the marriage license the same day you visit the office.
Marriage License Fees in Bath County
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this amount across the state. The $30 includes a $20 state license tax and $10 that 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) 839-7226 before your visit to confirm what payment methods are accepted at the Bath County office.
The license is valid for 60 days. Virginia Code § 20-14.1 provides that if no ceremony takes place within 60 days of issue, the license expires and cannot be extended. The fee is not refunded if the license expires. If your wedding is pushed back past that window, you will need to apply again and pay the fee a second time. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. An Bath County license is not valid for a wedding in another state.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Bath clerk's office. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Certified copies are available through the clerk for $2.50 each once the certificate is on file.
Bath County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Bath County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 65 Courthouse Hill Road has copies of licenses issued there. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request them in person or by mail. Mail requests should include both spouses' names, the approximate marriage date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The VDH Office of Vital Records in Richmond holds copies of all Virginia marriage records since 1853 and charges $12 per certificate. Requests can be submitted online, by mail to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218, or in person at 8701 Park Central Drive, Richmond. Phone: (804) 662-6200. Expedited service is available through VitalChek at 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, records become public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies regardless of how old the record is.
The VDH FAQ page explains eligibility, acceptable ID, and how to request records from Bath County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Bath County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system, available for records older than 25 years.
Historical Bath County Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring systematic statewide registration of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Bath County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These registers document 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 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 at no charge 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.
Bath County was formed in 1791 from parts of Augusta, Botetourt, and Greenbrier counties. Early marriage bonds from before 1853 are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact details for the Bath County clerk if you need to reach the office about historical records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Bath. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.