Clarke County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Clarke County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 102 N. Church Street in Berryville. 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.
Clarke County Overview
Clarke County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Clarke 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 Clarke County clerk's office is at 102 N. Church Street in Berryville, the county seat, in the northern Shenandoah Valley just south of the West Virginia border and west of the Washington metro area.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. You can apply in Clarke County regardless of where you live. Both people must appear in person at the same time. No one can submit an application on behalf of a partner. The clerk processes applications the same day. Arrive with all required documents and both applicants present to complete the process in a single visit.
Clarke County is a small, rural county north of the Shenandoah River, popular for its rolling countryside and proximity to the Northern Virginia suburbs. The courthouse in Berryville is the hub for county government services. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (540) 955-5119 with questions before your visit.
| Office | Clarke County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 102 N. Church Street Berryville, VA 22611 |
| Phone | (540) 955-5119 |
| 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 Clarke County must apply to the clerk for authorization. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges need no additional approval. Give the clerk advance notice if your officiant is from out of state, as this process takes time.
Marriage License Requirements in Clarke County
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office together. This requirement cannot be waived. 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 ID. Expired IDs are not accepted. Call (540) 955-5119 before your visit if you have a question about whether a specific document qualifies.
You must provide your Social Security number on the application. The physical card is not needed, but the number is required. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk also needs the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name before marriage. Have all of this ready before you go. If a parent's name is not known to you, ask the clerk how to handle that section.
Both applicants must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a firm minimum with no exceptions. Virginia's prior law that allowed younger applicants with parental consent has been repealed. Your photo ID establishes proof of age. Bring a certified birth certificate if there is any uncertainty.
Note: No blood test is required and there is no waiting period. You can apply and receive the marriage license the same day.
Marriage License Fees in Clarke County
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this amount statewide. 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 (540) 955-5119 to confirm what payment methods are accepted before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days. Virginia Code § 20-14.1 states that if no ceremony occurs within that window, the license expires with no extension option. The fee is not returned. If your wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay the fee again. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. A Clarke County license cannot be used for a wedding in West Virginia, Maryland, or any other state.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Clarke clerk. 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.
Clarke County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Clarke County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 102 N. Church Street holds copies of licenses issued there. 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 maintains all Virginia marriage records since 1853. Their fee is $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. 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 for 25 years following the marriage. After that, records become public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from copies regardless of the record's age.
For details on eligibility and how to request records, visit the VDH FAQ page.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Clarke County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Clarke County Marriage Records
Virginia required statewide recording of marriages beginning in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Clarke County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These registers list the date and place of marriage, both parties' full names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, occupations, and the officiant's name. Researchers can borrow microfilm through interlibrary loan at no cost.
FamilySearch has digitized Virginia county marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and made them searchable 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.
Clarke County was formed in 1836 from Frederick County. Marriage bonds and early records from before 1853 are at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact details for the Clarke clerk's office for historical record inquiries.
Nearby Cities
Winchester is an independent city east of Clarke County. Winchester residents use the Winchester circuit court for marriage licenses.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Clarke. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.