Brunswick County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Brunswick County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 216 E. Main Street in Lawrenceville. Both applicants must appear together in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee. The license is valid for 60 days anywhere in Virginia.
Brunswick County Overview
Brunswick County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Brunswick County is the only office authorized to issue marriage licenses in the county. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, all Virginia marriage licenses must come from a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. The Brunswick County clerk's office is at 216 E. Main Street in Lawrenceville, the county seat, in southern Virginia near the North Carolina border.
Virginia law does not require you to live in Brunswick County to get a license here. Any couple can apply at any Virginia circuit court, regardless of their home address. Both applicants must appear at the same time. One person cannot go alone. The clerk processes applications the same day, so you can apply and receive the license during a single visit as long as both people come with all required documents.
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (434) 848-2215 before your visit with any questions about the process or required documents.
| Office | Brunswick County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 216 E. Main Street Lawrenceville, VA 23868 |
| Phone | (434) 848-2215 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
The clerk also handles minister authorizations. Out-of-state ministers who want to perform ceremonies in Brunswick County must apply to the clerk's office, post a $500 bond, and take an oath of office before officiating. Virginia-licensed ministers, judges, and court clerks can already perform ceremonies without additional approval from the local clerk.
Marriage License Requirements in Brunswick County
Both parties must go to the clerk's office together. There is no other way to complete the application. 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 will work. An expired ID is not acceptable. If you have a question about your identification, call (434) 848-2215 before traveling to Lawrenceville.
You need to provide your Social Security number. The card is not required, but the number must be on the application. Virginia Code § 20-16 also requires the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name before marriage. Have this information ready before you go. If a parent's name is unknown to you, the clerk can advise you on how to handle that part of the form.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets 18 as the hard floor with no exceptions. Virginia's prior law permitting younger applicants with parental consent has been repealed. Your photo ID serves as proof of age. Bring a certified birth certificate if there is any question.
Note: No blood test is required and there is no waiting period. You can apply and receive your marriage license during a single visit to the office.
Marriage License Fees in Brunswick County
The marriage license fee is $30 statewide, set by Virginia Code § 20-15. The $30 includes a $20 state license tax and $10 directed to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence services. The clerk collects this fee at the time of application. Call (434) 848-2215 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony happens within that period the license expires and cannot be extended. The fee is not refunded. If your wedding is delayed past the 60-day window, you must apply again and pay again. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. A Brunswick County license cannot be used outside the Commonwealth.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Brunswick clerk. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Certified copies are available from the clerk for $2.50 each after the certificate is filed.
Brunswick County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Brunswick County marriage records are available from the Circuit Court Clerk at 216 E. Main Street. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request 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 all Virginia marriage records from 1853 forward. 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. 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 after the marriage. After 25 years, records become public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies issued to anyone outside immediate family.
The VDH FAQ page has full details on eligibility, acceptable ID, and how to request records from Brunswick County or any other Virginia jurisdiction.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Brunswick County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Brunswick County Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Brunswick 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. Microfilm can be borrowed through interlibrary loan at no charge.
FamilySearch has digitized Virginia county marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and posted them 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 or use the Ancestry Virginia marriage index.
Brunswick County was formed in 1720, making it one of the older counties in Virginia. Marriage bonds and minister returns from before 1853 are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact information for the Brunswick clerk's office for historical record inquiries.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Brunswick. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.