King George County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in King George County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 9483 Kings Highway in King George. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
King George County Overview
King George County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for King George 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 King George County clerk's office is at 9483 Kings Highway in King George, in northern Virginia on the south bank of the Potomac River between Fredericksburg and the Northern Neck.
Virginia has no residency requirement for a marriage license. You can apply in King George County regardless of where you live. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together in person. No proxy applications are accepted. Applications are processed the same day. Bring both people and all documents in a single visit.
King George County was formed in 1720. It sits along the Potomac River and is part of the Fredericksburg region. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (540) 775-3322 with any questions before you visit.
| Office | King George County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 9483 Kings Highway King George, VA 22485 |
| Phone | (540) 775-3322 |
| 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 King George County must get authorization from the circuit court clerk first. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed officiants are already authorized and do not need this step. If your officiant is from Maryland or another state, contact the clerk well before your ceremony date.
Marriage License Requirements in King George 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 ID, or military ID all work. Expired IDs are not accepted. If you are unsure about a specific document, call (540) 775-3322 before making 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 you arrive. If a parent's name is unknown, 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 18 as the minimum with no exceptions. Virginia repealed any prior allowances for younger applicants with parental consent. Your photo ID is the primary proof of 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 the clerk's office.
Marriage License Fees in King George 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 (540) 775-3322 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 also take place within Virginia. A King George County license cannot be used in Maryland, which borders the county across the Potomac River.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the King George 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.
King George County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of King George County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 9483 Kings Highway holds the county 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 expedited 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 the record's age.
The VDH FAQ page covers eligibility and how to request records from King George County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains King George County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical King George County Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds King George 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.
King George County was formed in 1720. Marriage bonds and pre-1853 records are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website has contact information for the King George clerk's office for historical record inquiries.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near King George. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court clerk regardless of where you live.