Lee County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Lee County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 33640 Main Street in Jonesville. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Lee County Overview
Lee County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Lee 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 Lee County clerk's office is at 33640 Main Street in Jonesville, the county seat, at the far southwestern tip of Virginia in the coalfields region, bordering both Kentucky and Tennessee.
Virginia has no residency requirement for a marriage license. You can apply in Lee County regardless of where you live. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office in person together. No proxy applications are accepted. The clerk processes applications the same day. Plan to bring both people and all documents in a single visit.
Lee County was formed in 1792 from Russell and Scott counties. It sits at the extreme southwestern tip of Virginia, surrounded on two sides by other states. If you are coming from Kentucky or Tennessee, note that the Virginia license is only valid for ceremonies held within Virginia. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (276) 346-7763 before your visit with any questions.
| Office | Lee County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 33640 Main Street Jonesville, VA 24263 |
| Phone | (276) 346-7763 |
| 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 Lee 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. Given the county's location bordering Kentucky and Tennessee, out-of-state officiants come up regularly. Contact the clerk well before your ceremony date if this applies to you.
Marriage License Requirements in Lee 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 card, or military ID all work. Expired IDs are not accepted. If you are unsure whether your ID qualifies, call (276) 346-7763 before making the trip to Jonesville.
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 ready before you arrive. If a parent's name is unknown, 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 repealed any prior allowances for younger applicants 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 Lee 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) 346-7763 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days. Under Virginia Code § 20-14.1, if no ceremony takes place 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 Lee County license is not valid in Kentucky or Tennessee, both of which border the county.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Lee 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.
Lee County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Lee County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 33640 Main Street in Jonesville 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 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 copies regardless of the record's age.
The VDH FAQ page covers eligibility and how to request records from Lee County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Lee County Circuit Court clerk at 33640 Main Street in Jonesville handles marriage licenses and maintains official county marriage records.
Historical Lee County Marriage Records
Virginia required statewide recording of marriages beginning in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Lee 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.
Lee County was formed in 1792 from Russell and Scott counties. Marriage bonds and pre-1853 records are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website has contact information for the Lee County clerk's office for historical record inquiries.
Nearby Counties
These Virginia counties are near Lee County. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court clerk regardless of where you live.