Hanover County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Hanover County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 7537 County Complex Road in Hanover. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Hanover County Overview
Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Hanover 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 Hanover County clerk's office is at 7537 County Complex Road in Hanover, in central Virginia just north of Richmond along the Pamunkey River watershed.
Virginia law has no residency requirement. You can apply in Hanover County regardless of where you currently live. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together in person. The clerk does not accept proxy applications. The application is processed the same day. Plan to bring both people and all documents in a single visit.
Hanover County was formed in 1720 from New Kent County. It is one of the more populous counties in the Richmond metro area. The county complex is on County Complex Road in the small town of Hanover. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (804) 365-6151 ahead of your visit with any questions.
| Office | Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 7537 County Complex Road Hanover, VA 23069 |
| Phone | (804) 365-6151 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to perform a wedding in Hanover 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 and judges do not need this extra step. If your officiant is from outside Virginia, contact the clerk well before your ceremony to get the authorization process completed.
Marriage License Requirements in Hanover County
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office at the same time. Each person must have a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state ID, or military ID all work. Expired IDs will not be accepted. If you have a question about whether a specific document qualifies, call (804) 365-6151 before you make the trip.
You must provide your Social Security number on the application. 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 before marriage. Have this information ready before arriving. If a parent's name is unknown, ask the clerk how to note that on the form.
Both people must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this minimum with no exceptions. Virginia no longer allows younger applicants even with parental consent. Your photo ID establishes your age. A certified birth certificate can serve as backup if needed.
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 office.
Marriage License Fees in Hanover 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 at the time of application. Call (804) 365-6151 to confirm which payment methods are accepted 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, and the fee is not refunded. If your wedding is delayed beyond 60 days, you must apply and pay again. The ceremony must also take place in Virginia. A Hanover County license cannot be used in another state.
After the wedding, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Hanover County clerk. The clerk records it and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Certified copies are then available from the clerk for $2.50 each.
Hanover County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Hanover County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 7537 County Complex Road 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 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 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 how to request records from Hanover County or any other Virginia jurisdiction.
The Hanover County Circuit Court clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains official county marriage records.
Historical Hanover County Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Hanover 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. 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.
Hanover County was formed in 1720 from New Kent County, giving it a long record history in the Richmond region. Marriage bonds and early documents from before 1853 are at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website has contact information for the Hanover clerk's office for historical inquiries.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Hanover. You may apply for a marriage license at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.