Franklin County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Franklin County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 275 S. Main Street, Suite 212, in Rocky Mount. 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.
Franklin County Overview
Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Franklin 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 Franklin County clerk's office is at 275 S. Main Street, Suite 212, in Rocky Mount, the county seat, in southwestern Virginia.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. Any couple can apply in Franklin County regardless of where they live. Both people must appear together in person at the time of application. No one can apply on behalf of a partner, and no proxy applications are accepted. The clerk processes applications the same day, so a single visit is all that is needed if you bring all required documents.
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (540) 483-3065 before your visit with any questions about the application process or what documents to bring. Rocky Mount is the main town in Franklin County and is easily accessible from Roanoke and the surrounding region.
| Office | Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 275 S. Main Street, Suite 212 Rocky Mount, VA 24151 |
| Phone | (540) 483-3065 |
| 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 Franklin County must apply to the clerk for authorization. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office before being allowed to officiate. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges are already authorized and need no additional approval. Contact the clerk well before the ceremony if your officiant comes from another state.
Marriage License Requirements in Franklin County
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office together at the same time. 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) 483-3065 if you have questions about a specific document before your visit.
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 ready before going to Rocky Mount. If a parent's name is unknown to you, ask the clerk for guidance when you arrive.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as the hard minimum with no exceptions. Virginia's prior law permitting younger applicants to marry with parental consent has been fully repealed. Your photo ID establishes proof of age. Bring a certified birth certificate if there is any question about your age.
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 Franklin 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) 483-3065 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 period, the license expires. There is no extension and no refund. If your wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. A Franklin County license cannot be used in North Carolina or any other state.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Franklin 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.
Franklin County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Franklin County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 275 S. Main Street, Suite 212, 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 and the process for requesting records from Franklin County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Franklin County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Franklin County Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Franklin 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 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.
Franklin County was formed in 1785 from Henry and Bedford counties. Marriage bonds from before 1853 may be found in those parent county records at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact details for the Franklin clerk's office for historical record inquiries.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Franklin. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.