Cumberland County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Cumberland County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 1 Courthouse Circle in Cumberland. 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.

Cumberland County Circuit Court Clerk

The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cumberland 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 Cumberland County clerk's office is at 1 Courthouse Circle in Cumberland, the county seat, in central Virginia between Richmond and Lynchburg.

Virginia law has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. Any couple can apply here regardless of where they live. Both people must appear together in person at the time of application. One person cannot apply alone. The clerk processes applications the same day. Bring all required documents and both applicants to complete the process in a single visit.

The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (804) 492-4444 before your visit with any questions. The office handles new applications, certified copy requests, and minister authorizations.

Out-of-state ministers who plan to perform ceremonies in Cumberland County must apply to the clerk, post a $500 bond, and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges need no additional local approval. Start the process early if your officiant is from another state.

Marriage License Requirements in Cumberland County

Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office at the same time. 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 (804) 492-4444 if you have a question about your documents before making the trip.

You must provide your Social Security number. The card is not required, but the number must be on the application. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk also requires 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 unknown, speak with the clerk when you arrive.

Both applicants must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as the minimum with no exceptions. Virginia's previous law allowing marriage at younger ages with parental consent has been repealed. Your photo ID serves as proof of age. Bring a certified birth certificate if there is any uncertainty.

Marriage License Fees in Cumberland County

The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this 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 when you apply. Call (804) 492-4444 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.

The license is valid for 60 days. Virginia Code § 20-14.1 states that if no ceremony occurs within that period, the license expires. There is no extension and the fee is not refunded. If your wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. A Cumberland County license cannot be used outside the Commonwealth.

After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Cumberland 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.

Cumberland County Marriage Records and Certified Copies

Certified copies of Cumberland County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 1 Courthouse Circle 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 from 1853 forward. 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 after 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 has information on eligibility and how to request records from Cumberland County or any Virginia jurisdiction.

The Virginia Department of Health maintains Cumberland County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.

Historical Cumberland County Marriage Records

Virginia required statewide recording of marriages beginning in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Cumberland 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 searchable online for free. Virginia residents can also 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.

Cumberland County was formed in 1749 from Goochland County. Marriage bonds from before 1853 are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact details for the Cumberland clerk's office for historical record requests.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cumberland. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.