Henry County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Henry County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 3160 Kings Mountain Road in Martinsville. Both applicants must appear together in person, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.

Henry County Circuit Court Clerk

The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Henry 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 deputy clerk. The Henry County clerk's office is at 3160 Kings Mountain Road in Martinsville, in southern Virginia near the North Carolina border.

Note that Martinsville is an independent city separate from Henry County. The county courthouse is physically located in Martinsville at the Kings Mountain Road address. Martinsville has its own circuit court clerk for city residents. Henry County has no residency requirement, so anyone can apply there regardless of where they live.

Henry County was formed in 1777 from Pittsylvania County. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office in person together. Applications are processed the same day. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (276) 634-4880 with any questions before you visit.

Out-of-state ministers who want to perform a wedding in Henry County must get authorization from the circuit court clerk before the ceremony. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed officiants are already authorized. Given the county's location near North Carolina, out-of-state officiants come up fairly often. Contact the clerk well before your ceremony date if this applies to you.

Marriage License Requirements in Henry County

Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together. Each person needs a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state ID card, or military ID will work. Expired IDs are not accepted. If you have questions about whether your ID qualifies, call (276) 634-4880 before making the trip.

You must provide your Social Security number on the application form. 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. Have this information gathered before you arrive. If a parent's name is unknown, ask the clerk how to handle it on the form.

Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets 18 as a firm minimum with no exceptions. Virginia repealed any previous allowances for younger applicants with parental consent. Your photo ID is the main proof of age. Bring a certified birth certificate as a backup if there could be any question about it.

Marriage License Fees in Henry 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 when you apply. Call (276) 634-4880 to confirm 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 and no refund. If your wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay again. The ceremony must take place in Virginia. A Henry County license is not valid in North Carolina, which borders the county.

Once the ceremony is complete, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Henry 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.

Henry County Marriage Records and Certified Copies

Certified copies of Henry County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 3160 Kings Mountain 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 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 after the marriage. After that, records become public. Social Security numbers are always redacted from all copies regardless of age.

The VDH FAQ page covers eligibility and how to request records from Henry County or any other Virginia jurisdiction.

The Virginia Department of Health maintains Henry County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.

Historical Henry County Marriage Records

Virginia required statewide recording of marriages beginning in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Henry County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These records include the marriage date and place, both parties' 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.

Henry County was formed in 1777 from Pittsylvania County. Marriage bonds and pre-1853 records are at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website has contact information for the Henry County clerk's office for historical record inquiries.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Henry County. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court clerk regardless of where you live.