Henrico County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Henrico County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 4301 E. Parham Road in Richmond. Both applicants must appear together in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Henrico County Overview
Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Henrico 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 a deputy clerk. The Henrico County clerk's office is at 4301 E. Parham Road in Richmond, in central Virginia surrounding the independent city of Richmond.
Note that although the courthouse address shows Richmond, this is the Henrico County courthouse. Richmond is an independent city that operates a separate circuit court and clerk. If you live in the city of Richmond, you would apply at the Richmond City Circuit Court. Henrico County has no residency requirement, so anyone can apply there regardless of where they live.
Henrico County was formed in 1634 and is one of the original Virginia shires. It is one of the most populous jurisdictions in the state, surrounding Richmond on three sides. Both applicants must appear in person together. The clerk processes applications the same day. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (804) 501-4202 before your visit with any questions.
| Office | Henrico County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 4301 E. Parham Road Richmond, VA 23228 |
| Phone | (804) 501-4202 |
| 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 Henrico County must obtain authorization from the circuit court clerk first. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges are already authorized and do not need this. If your officiant is from another state, contact the clerk well ahead of your ceremony date to complete the authorization process.
Marriage License Requirements in Henrico County
Both applicants must go to 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 ID card, or military ID all work. Expired IDs are not accepted. If you are unsure about a document, call (804) 501-4202 before your visit.
You must provide your Social Security number on the application. The card itself 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 ready before you arrive. If a parent's name is not known, the clerk can advise you on how to handle it on the form.
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this minimum with no exceptions. Virginia no longer allows younger applicants even with parental consent. Your photo ID is the main proof of age. A certified birth certificate can supplement if there is any doubt about your age.
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 Henrico County
The marriage license fee is $30. Virginia Code § 20-15 sets this statewide. The $30 breaks into 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) 501-4202 to confirm accepted payment methods before visiting.
The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony happens within that period, the license expires. There is no extension option, and the fee is not refunded. If your wedding is pushed back past 60 days, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. A Henrico County license cannot be used in another state.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Henrico County clerk. The clerk records it and forwards a copy to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. Certified copies are then available from the clerk for $2.50 each.
Henrico County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Henrico County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 4301 E. Parham Road holds the county 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 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 processing, 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 removed from copies regardless of how old the record is.
The VDH FAQ page covers who can request records and how to submit requests for Henrico County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Henrico County Circuit Court clerk at 4301 E. Parham Road handles marriage licenses and maintains official county marriage records.
Historical Henrico County Marriage Records
Virginia required statewide recording of marriages beginning in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Henrico County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These registers include the date and place of marriage, both parties' 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 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.
Henrico County was formed in 1634 as one of Virginia's original shires. Marriage bonds and pre-1853 records are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website has contact details for the Henrico clerk's office for historical record inquiries.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Henrico. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court clerk regardless of where you live.