Bedford County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Bedford County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 123 E. Main Street in Bedford. Both parties must appear together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee. The license is valid for 60 days anywhere in Virginia.
Bedford County Overview
Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Bedford 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 the Commonwealth must be issued by a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. The Bedford County clerk's office is at 123 E. Main Street, Suite 301, in the town of Bedford, which serves as the county seat.
There is no residency requirement under Virginia law. You can apply here even if you do not live in Bedford County. The license is good anywhere in Virginia for 60 days from the issue date. Both people must be present at the same time when you apply. No one can go on behalf of a partner. The clerk processes applications the same day, so there is no waiting period for review.
Bedford County is located in central Virginia, adjacent to the independent city of Lynchburg to the northeast. The county is known for its scenic Blue Ridge Mountain views and is home to the National D-Day Memorial in the town of Bedford. The clerk's office is in the Bedford courthouse and is open Monday through Friday.
| Office | Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 123 E. Main Street, Suite 301 Bedford, VA 24523 |
| Phone | (540) 586-7621 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
The clerk also handles minister authorizations for ceremonies in Bedford County. Ordained ministers from Virginia who can show proof of their ordination may be authorized to perform ceremonies. Out-of-state ministers must apply to the circuit court where the wedding will be held, post a $500 bond, and take an oath of office. Start this process well in advance if you plan to use an out-of-state officiant.
Marriage License Requirements in Bedford County
Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together. You cannot apply separately or send a representative. Each person needs a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, U.S. passport, state-issued ID card, or military identification card. Expired IDs will not be accepted. Call (540) 586-7621 if you are unsure whether a specific form of ID qualifies before making the trip.
You must provide your Social Security number. The card itself is not needed, but the number must be given on the application form. Virginia Code § 20-16 requires the clerk to collect Social Security numbers and the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name before marriage. Have all of this information ready. If a parent's name is not known to you, ask the clerk how to handle that part of the application.
Both applicants must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as the absolute minimum age with no exceptions. Prior Virginia law allowed younger applicants with parental consent, but those provisions have been fully repealed. Your photo ID establishes your age. If there is any question, bring a certified birth certificate.
Note: Virginia does not require a blood test and there is no waiting period. You can apply and receive the license on the same day you visit the office.
Marriage License Fees in Bedford County
The marriage license fee in Bedford County is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this statewide. The $30 includes a $20 state license tax and $10 allocated to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence services. The clerk collects the fee at the time you apply. Call ahead to confirm what payment methods the Bedford County office accepts.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date the clerk issues it. Virginia Code § 20-14.1 is clear that if no ceremony occurs in that 60-day window, the license expires without any option to extend it. The fee is not refunded. If your wedding is delayed beyond 60 days, you will need to apply and pay again. The ceremony must take place within the Commonwealth of Virginia. A Bedford County license is not valid for a wedding in another state.
Once the ceremony is complete, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Bedford County clerk. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. Certified copies are then available through the clerk for $2.50 each.
Bedford County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Two offices can provide certified copies of Bedford County marriage records. The Circuit Court Clerk at 123 E. Main Street, Suite 301 has copies of licenses issued by that office. 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 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. 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 that, records become fully public. Social Security numbers are redacted from all copies, regardless of the record's age.
The Library of Virginia holds Bedford County marriage records from 1757 to 1938 on microfilm, which is one of the longer spans available for any Virginia county. These early records are valuable for genealogical research. FamilySearch also has digital records covering the same period.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains marriage records from Bedford County as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Bedford County Marriage Records
Virginia required statewide recording of marriages beginning in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Bedford County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. Earlier records from 1757 to the start of statewide registration are also held at the Library of Virginia. These include marriage bonds, minister returns, and register data going back to the colonial era — an unusually deep record set for a Virginia county.
FamilySearch has digitized Virginia county marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and made them searchable online at no cost. Virginia residents can access Ancestry.com for free through the Library of Virginia's Finditva.com service with a public library card number. For records after 1935, contact VDH or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index, which covers the state since 1936.
Bedford County was formed in 1754 from Lunenburg County. The courthouse in the town of Bedford has served as the center of county government for over two centuries. The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact information for the Bedford clerk's office for historical record inquiries.
Nearby Cities
Lynchburg is an independent city that borders Bedford County to the northeast. Residents of Lynchburg use the Lynchburg circuit court for marriage licenses, not Bedford County's clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Bedford. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.