Grayson County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Grayson County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 129 Davis Street in Independence. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Grayson County Overview
Grayson County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Grayson County is the only office authorized to issue marriage licenses in the county. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, all Virginia marriage licenses must come from a circuit court clerk or a deputy clerk. The Grayson County clerk's office is located at 129 Davis Street in Independence, the county seat, in far southwestern Virginia near the North Carolina border.
Virginia law has no residency requirement for a marriage license. You can apply in Grayson County no matter where you currently live. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together. You cannot send a representative. The clerk will process the application the same day. Plan to have both people and all documents in one visit.
Grayson County was formed in 1792 from Wythe County and sits in the Blue Ridge highlands of far southwestern Virginia. The county borders North Carolina. The town of Independence is small, so call ahead to confirm parking and any office closures before you drive to the courthouse. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (276) 773-2231 with any questions.
| Office | Grayson County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 129 Davis Street Independence, VA 24348 |
| Phone | (276) 773-2231 |
| 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 a wedding in Grayson County must get authorization from the circuit court clerk beforehand. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed officiants do not need this step. Given the county's location near the Tennessee and North Carolina borders, this situation can come up. Contact the clerk well in advance if your officiant is not licensed in Virginia.
Marriage License Requirements in Grayson County
Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office at the same time. Each person needs a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state-issued ID, or military ID will work. Expired IDs are rejected. If you are unsure whether your document qualifies, call (276) 773-2231 before making the trip.
You must provide your Social Security number on the application. Bringing the card is not required. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk also needs the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name. Gather this information before you arrive. If a parent's name is not known to you, the clerk can help you note that on the form.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this minimum with no exceptions. Virginia repealed any prior allowances for younger applicants with parental consent. Your photo ID proves your age. A certified birth certificate can serve as backup if there is any question about it.
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.
Marriage License Fees in Grayson County
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this statewide and it does not vary by county. The $30 includes a $20 state license tax plus $10 directed to the Virginia Department of Social Services for domestic violence services. The clerk collects this at the time of application. Call (276) 773-2231 to check accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, the license expires if no ceremony occurs within that window. There is no extension available, and the fee is not refunded. If your wedding is moved past 60 days from the issue date, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must also take place in Virginia. A Grayson County license cannot be used in North Carolina or Tennessee, both of which border the county.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Grayson County clerk. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. Certified copies are then available from the clerk for $2.50 each.
Grayson County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Grayson County marriage records can be obtained from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 129 Davis Street holds the local copies. Each copy costs $2.50. You can request in person or by mail. For mail requests, include both spouses' names, the marriage date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope along with your payment.
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 the first 25 years after the marriage. After that, the records are public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from any copy regardless of the record's age.
The VDH FAQ page covers who can request records and how to submit requests for Grayson County or any other jurisdiction in Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Grayson County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Grayson County Marriage Records
Virginia required statewide recording of marriages starting in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Grayson County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These registers include the date and place of the marriage, both parties' full names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, occupations, and the name of the officiant. Researchers can borrow microfilm through interlibrary loan at no cost.
FamilySearch has digitized Virginia county marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and made them free to search online. 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.
Grayson County was formed in 1792 from Wythe County. Marriage bonds and other pre-1853 records from the county are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website has contact information for the Grayson clerk's office for any historical record inquiries.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Grayson. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court clerk regardless of where you live.