Gloucester County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Gloucester County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 7400 Justice Drive in Gloucester. 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.
Gloucester County Overview
Gloucester County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Gloucester 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 Gloucester County clerk's office is at 7400 Justice Drive, Suite 100, in Gloucester, the county seat, on the Middle Peninsula of eastern Virginia along the York River.
Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage licenses. Any couple can apply in Gloucester County regardless of where they live. Both people must appear together in person at the time of application. No proxy applications are allowed. The clerk processes applications the same day. Bring all required documents and both applicants to complete the process in one visit.
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (804) 693-2502 before your visit with any questions about what to bring or how the process works.
| Office | Gloucester County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 7400 Justice Drive, Suite 100 Gloucester, VA 23061 |
| Phone | (804) 693-2502 |
| 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 Gloucester County must apply to the clerk for authorization, post a $500 bond, and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges need no additional approval. Contact the clerk well ahead of the ceremony if your officiant is from out of state.
Marriage License Requirements in Gloucester County
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office together. 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 (804) 693-2502 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 maiden name before marriage. Have all of this ready before you go.
Both applicants must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a hard minimum with no exceptions. Your photo ID establishes 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 Gloucester 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. Call (804) 693-2502 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 with no extension and no refund. The ceremony must take place within Virginia. A Gloucester County license cannot be used in another state.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Gloucester 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.
Gloucester County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Gloucester County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 7400 Justice Drive 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 Gloucester County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Gloucester County Circuit Court issues marriage licenses and maintains official marriage records for the county.
Historical Gloucester County Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Gloucester 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.
Gloucester County was formed in 1651 from York County, giving it one of the oldest record collections in Virginia. Marriage bonds from before 1853 are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact details for the Gloucester clerk's office.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Gloucester. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.