Greene County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Greene County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 22 Court Street in Stanardsville. Both applicants must appear together in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Greene County Overview
Greene County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Greene County is the only office authorized to issue marriage licenses in the county. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, all Virginia marriage licenses must be issued by a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. The Greene County clerk's office is at 22 Court Street in Stanardsville, the county seat, in central Virginia just north of Charlottesville along the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Virginia has no residency requirement for a marriage license. You can apply in Greene County even if you live elsewhere. Both applicants must show up at the clerk's office together. There is no proxy option. The application is typically processed the same day, so plan to arrive with both people and all documents ready.
Greene County was formed in 1838 from Orange County. The town of Stanardsville is small. Call ahead at (434) 985-5208 if you have any questions about what to bring or what to expect. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
| Office | Greene County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 22 Court Street Stanardsville, VA 22973 |
| Phone | (434) 985-5208 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who want to perform a wedding in Greene County must get authorization from the circuit court clerk first. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed ministers, judges, and other already-authorized officiants can proceed without this step. If your officiant is from another state, reach out to the clerk well before your ceremony date to get the process started.
Marriage License Requirements in Greene 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, or military ID all qualify. Expired IDs will not be accepted. If you are unsure about a specific document, call (434) 985-5208 before you make the drive to Stanardsville.
You must give your Social Security number on the application. The card is not required, but the number must be provided. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk also needs both applicants' parents' full legal names, including each mother's maiden name. Gather all of that before you arrive. If a parent's name is unknown to you, the clerk can tell you how to handle it on the form.
Both people must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a firm minimum with no exceptions. Virginia no longer allows younger applicants even with parental consent. Your photo ID is the primary proof of age. If age could be in question, bring a certified birth certificate as well.
Note: No blood test is required and there is no waiting period. You can apply and pick up the marriage license the same day you come in.
Marriage License Fees in Greene County
The marriage license fee is $30 statewide. Virginia Code § 20-15 fixes this amount. 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 the fee at the time of application. Call (434) 985-5208 to confirm payment methods before you visit.
The license is valid for 60 days from issue. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony happens within 60 days the license simply expires. You cannot extend it, and the fee is not refunded. If your wedding is delayed beyond that window, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must also take place in Virginia. A Greene County license is not valid in another state.
Once the ceremony is complete, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Greene 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.
Greene County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Greene County marriage records come from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 22 Court Street in Stanardsville 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 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 faster processing, 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 a marriage. After that, records are public. Social Security numbers are always removed from copies regardless of how old the record is.
The VDH FAQ page covers who can request records and how to submit a request for Greene County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Greene County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Greene County Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Greene County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. The registers include the date and place of marriage, both parties' names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, occupations, and the officiant's name. Researchers can borrow microfilm through interlibrary loan at no charge.
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 with a public library card. For records after 1935, contact VDH or search the Ancestry Virginia marriage index.
Greene County was formed in 1838 from Orange County. Marriage bonds and pre-1853 records are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website has contact information for the Greene County clerk if you need to inquire about historical records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Greene. You may apply for a marriage license at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.