Lancaster County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Lancaster County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 8351 Mary Ball Road in Lancaster. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Lancaster County Overview
Lancaster County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Lancaster 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 Lancaster County clerk's office is at 8351 Mary Ball Road in Lancaster, the county seat, on the Northern Neck peninsula of eastern Virginia between the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers.
Virginia has no residency requirement for a marriage license. You can apply in Lancaster County regardless of where you live. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office together in person. No proxy applications are accepted. The clerk processes the application the same day. Bring both people and all documents in a single visit.
Lancaster County was formed in 1651, making it one of the older counties in Virginia. The county is located on the Northern Neck, a peninsula between the two rivers. The town of Lancaster is the county seat. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (804) 462-5611 with any questions before you visit.
| Office | Lancaster County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 8351 Mary Ball Road Lancaster, VA 22503 |
| Phone | (804) 462-5611 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to perform a wedding in Lancaster 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. If your officiant is from outside Virginia, contact the clerk well before your ceremony date to start that process.
Marriage License Requirements in Lancaster 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 qualify. Expired IDs are not accepted. If you have questions about a specific document, call (804) 462-5611 before making the trip to Lancaster.
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 to you, the clerk can tell you 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 no longer allows younger applicants even with parental consent. Your photo ID establishes your 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.
Marriage License Fees in Lancaster 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 (804) 462-5611 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony occurs within that window, the license expires. 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 Lancaster County license is not valid in another state.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Lancaster 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.
Lancaster County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Lancaster County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 8351 Mary Ball Road 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 removed from copies regardless of the record's age.
The VDH FAQ page covers eligibility and how to request records from Lancaster County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Lancaster County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Lancaster County Marriage Records
Virginia required statewide recording of marriages beginning in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Lancaster 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.
Lancaster County was formed in 1651. Marriage bonds and pre-1853 records are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website has contact information for the Lancaster clerk's office for historical record inquiries.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Lancaster on the Northern Neck. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court clerk regardless of where you live.