Dinwiddie County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Dinwiddie County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 14101 Boydton Plank Road in Dinwiddie. 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.
Dinwiddie County Overview
Dinwiddie County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Dinwiddie 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 Dinwiddie County clerk's office is at 14101 Boydton Plank Road in Dinwiddie, the county seat, in south-central Virginia south of the independent city of Petersburg.
Virginia law does not require residency in Dinwiddie County to apply here. Any couple can use this office regardless of where they live. Both people must appear in person at the same time. No one can apply on behalf of a partner. The clerk processes applications the same day, so a single visit is all it takes as long as both applicants bring the necessary documents.
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (804) 469-4514 before your visit with any questions about required documents or the application process.
| Office | Dinwiddie County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 14101 Boydton Plank Road Dinwiddie, VA 23841 |
| Phone | (804) 469-4514 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to perform ceremonies in Dinwiddie County must apply to the clerk for authorization. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office before officiating. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges are already authorized. If your officiant is from another state, contact the clerk's office ahead of your ceremony date to start the authorization process.
Marriage License Requirements in Dinwiddie County
Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together. This is a firm requirement. 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 will not be accepted. Call (804) 469-4514 if you have questions about your identification before making the trip.
You must provide your Social Security number on the application. The card itself is not needed, but the number is required. 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 not known, speak with the clerk about how to complete that section.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as the firm minimum with no exceptions. Virginia's previous provisions allowing younger applicants with parental consent have 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 the marriage license the same day you visit the office.
Marriage License Fees in Dinwiddie 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) 469-4514 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. 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 refunded. If your wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. A Dinwiddie County license cannot be used in another state.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Dinwiddie 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.
Dinwiddie County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Dinwiddie County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 14101 Boydton Plank Road 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, contact 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 provides details on eligibility and how to request records from Dinwiddie County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Dinwiddie County Circuit Court issues marriage licenses and maintains official marriage records for the county at 14101 Boydton Plank Road.
Historical Dinwiddie County Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Dinwiddie 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 available online for free. 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.
Dinwiddie County was formed in 1752 from Prince George County. Marriage bonds from before 1853 are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact details for the Dinwiddie clerk's office for historical record requests.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Dinwiddie. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.