Goochland County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Goochland County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 2938 River Road West in Goochland. Both applicants must appear together in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Goochland County Overview
Goochland County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Goochland County is the only office authorized to issue marriage licenses here. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, all Virginia marriage licenses must come from a circuit court clerk or a deputy clerk. The Goochland County clerk's office is at 2938 River Road West in Goochland, the county seat, situated in central Virginia just west of Richmond along the James River corridor.
Virginia does not require residency to apply for a marriage license. You can get a license in Goochland County no matter where you live. Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office on the same day. The clerk will not accept proxy applications. Bring all documents and both people in one visit and the application is processed the same day.
Goochland County was formed in 1728 from Henrico County, making it one of the older jurisdictions in the Richmond region. The courthouse sits along River Road West in the small county seat town of Goochland. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (804) 556-5306 before your visit with any questions.
| Office | Goochland County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 2938 River Road West Goochland, VA 23063 |
| Phone | (804) 556-5306 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to perform a wedding in Goochland County must first get authorization from the circuit court clerk. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office before they can officiate. Virginia-licensed ministers, judges, and other authorized officiants do not need this extra step. If your officiant lives outside Virginia, check in with the clerk well before your ceremony date to make sure everything is in order.
Marriage License Requirements in Goochland County
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office in person at the same time. Each person needs a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state ID card, or military ID all work. Expired IDs are not accepted. If you have a question about whether a specific document qualifies, call (804) 556-5306 before your trip to the courthouse.
You must give your Social Security number on the application. The actual card is not required, but the number must be provided. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk also needs the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name. Have these details ready before you arrive. If a parent's name is unknown to you, tell the clerk and they can advise you on how to proceed.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets 18 as the minimum with no exceptions. The old rule that allowed younger applicants with parental consent was repealed. Your photo ID is the main proof of age. If there could be any question, bring a certified birth certificate as well.
Note: No blood test is required and there is no waiting period. You can apply and receive the marriage license on the same day you visit the clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in Goochland County
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this statewide. The $30 breaks down as $20 for the state license tax and $10 directed to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence services. The clerk collects this when you apply. Call (804) 556-5306 to confirm which payment methods are accepted before you visit.
The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony takes place within 60 days, the license expires. There is no way to extend it, and the fee is not refunded. If your wedding gets pushed back past 60 days, you must apply again and pay once more. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. A Goochland County license is not valid in another state.
Once the ceremony is done, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Goochland clerk. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. After that, certified copies of the record are available from the clerk for $2.50 each.
Goochland County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Goochland County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 2938 River Road West holds the county's copies. Each copy costs $2.50. You can request in person or by mail. For a mail request, include both spouses' names, the marriage date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment.
The VDH Office of Vital Records in Richmond also holds all Virginia marriage records dating back to 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 faster service, use VitalChek at 1-877-572-6333.
Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, certified copies are restricted to immediate family members for the first 25 years after the marriage. After that period, the records become public. Social Security numbers are always removed from copies regardless of how old the record is.
The VDH FAQ page covers eligibility rules and how to request records from Goochland County or any other Virginia jurisdiction.
The Goochland County Circuit Court clerk handles marriage licenses and maintains official marriage records for the county.
Historical Goochland County Marriage Records
Virginia required statewide recording of marriages beginning in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Goochland County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These registers list the date and place of the marriage, both parties' full names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, occupations, and the officiant. Researchers can borrow microfilm through interlibrary loan at no charge.
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 with a public library card. For records after 1935, contact VDH or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index.
Goochland County was formed in 1728 from Henrico County, so records go back nearly three centuries. Marriage bonds and other early documents from before 1853 are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website has contact information for the Goochland clerk's office if you need to inquire about historical records directly.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Goochland. You may apply for a marriage license at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.