Fauquier County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Fauquier County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 4 Court Street in Warrenton. 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.
Fauquier County Overview
Fauquier County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Fauquier 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 Fauquier County clerk's office is at 4 Court Street in Warrenton, the county seat, in the Piedmont region of northern Virginia.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. Any couple can apply in Fauquier County regardless of where they live or where their wedding will take place (so long as the ceremony occurs in Virginia). Both people must appear together in person at the time of application. No proxy or one-party applications are allowed. The clerk processes applications the same day, so bring all required documents and you can leave with your license during a single visit.
Fauquier County sits in the rolling hills between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Washington suburbs. Warrenton is a small county seat with a working courthouse. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (540) 422-8100 before your visit with any questions about the application process or what to bring.
| Office | Fauquier County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 4 Court Street Warrenton, VA 20186 |
| Phone | (540) 422-8100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to perform ceremonies in Fauquier County must apply to the clerk for authorization. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office before being permitted to officiate at any ceremony. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges are already authorized and need no additional approval. If your officiant comes from another state, contact the clerk's office well before the ceremony date to allow time for the authorization process.
Marriage License Requirements in Fauquier County
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office together. This is not optional. 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 under any circumstances. Call (540) 422-8100 if you have questions about a specific document before making the trip to Warrenton.
You must provide your Social Security number on the application. The physical card is not required, but the number must be given. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk also requires the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's full maiden name before marriage. Have all of this information ready before your visit. The clerk asks these questions under oath, so make sure the information you provide is accurate.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a hard minimum with no exceptions. The earlier Virginia law that allowed younger applicants to marry with parental consent has been fully repealed. Your photo ID establishes proof of age. If there is any question about your age, bring a certified birth certificate as backup.
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 Fauquier 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 (540) 422-8100 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. Virginia Code § 20-14.1 states that if no ceremony takes place within that period, the license expires with no extension and no refund. If your wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay the $30 fee again. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. A Fauquier County license cannot be used in Maryland, West Virginia, or any other state.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Fauquier clerk. The clerk records it and forwards a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. Certified copies are then available through the clerk for $2.50 each.
Fauquier County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Fauquier County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 4 Court 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 with enough postage.
The VDH Office of Vital Records in Richmond 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 after the marriage. After that period, records become public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from any copies, regardless of how old the record is.
The VDH FAQ page covers eligibility rules and the full process for requesting records from Fauquier County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Fauquier County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Fauquier County Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Fauquier County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These registers record 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.
Fauquier County was formed in 1759 from Prince William County. Marriage bonds from before 1853 are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact details for the Fauquier clerk's office for historical record requests.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Fauquier. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.