Craig County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Craig County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 182 Main Street in New Castle. 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.
Craig County Overview
Craig County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Craig 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 Craig County clerk's office is at 182 Main Street in New Castle, the county seat, in the Appalachian Mountains of western Virginia.
Craig County is one of Virginia's smallest and most rural counties, located in the mountains between Roanoke and the West Virginia border. Despite its small size, the clerk's office handles the same marriage license functions as any other Virginia circuit court. Virginia has no residency requirement. Any couple can apply here regardless of where they live. Both people must appear together in person. The clerk processes applications the same day.
The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (540) 864-6141 before your visit with any questions. The drive to New Castle can be long from some areas, so calling ahead to confirm hours and bring all your documents is strongly recommended.
| Office | Craig County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 182 Main Street New Castle, VA 24127 |
| Phone | (540) 864-6141 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who want to perform ceremonies in Craig County must apply to the clerk, post a $500 bond, and take an oath of office before they are authorized. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges are already authorized and do not need local court approval. Plan early if your officiant is from out of state.
Marriage License Requirements in Craig County
Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together. This is a firm requirement with no exceptions. Each person needs a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state-issued ID card, or military ID will work. Expired IDs are not accepted. Call (540) 864-6141 before making the trip to New Castle if you have any question about your documents.
You must provide your Social Security number. The card itself is not required, but the number must be given on the application. 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 visit. If a parent's full name is not known to you, ask the clerk about how to handle that portion of the form.
Both applicants must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a firm minimum with no exceptions. Virginia's prior law allowing marriage at younger ages with parental consent has been fully repealed. Your photo ID serves as 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 you visit the office.
Marriage License Fees in Craig County
The marriage license fee 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 this fee when you apply. Call (540) 864-6141 to confirm what payment methods the Craig County office accepts before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days. Virginia Code § 20-14.1 states that if no ceremony takes place within that period, the license expires. There is no way to extend it and no refund is given. If your wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. A Craig County license is not valid for a wedding in West Virginia or any other state.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Craig clerk. 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 filed.
Craig County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Craig County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 182 Main 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 holds 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. For expedited service, use 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.
The VDH FAQ page covers eligibility, acceptable ID, and how to request records from Craig County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Craig County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Craig County Marriage Records
Virginia required statewide recording of marriages beginning in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Craig County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These registers include 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 free to search online. 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.
Craig County was formed in 1851 from parts of Botetourt, Roanoke, Montgomery, and Giles counties. Marriage bonds from before 1853 would be found in those parent counties at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact details for the Craig clerk's office for historical record inquiries.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Craig. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.