Loudoun County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Loudoun County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 18 E. Market Street in Leesburg. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Loudoun County Overview
Loudoun County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Loudoun 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 Loudoun County clerk's office is at 18 E. Market Street in Leesburg, the county seat, in northern Virginia in the Washington D.C. suburbs along the Potomac River and the Blue Ridge foothills.
Virginia has no residency requirement for a marriage license. You can apply in Loudoun County no matter where you live. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office in person at the same time. No proxy applications are accepted. The clerk processes applications the same day. Bring both people and all documents in a single visit.
Loudoun County was formed in 1757 from Fairfax County and has grown into one of the most populous and fastest-growing counties in Virginia. The Loudoun County clerk's office can be busy, especially on weekday mornings. Arriving early or calling ahead at (703) 777-0270 is a good idea. More information is available at loudoun.gov/circuitcourt. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
| Office | Loudoun County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 18 E. Market Street Leesburg, VA 20178 |
| Phone | (703) 777-0270 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Website | loudoun.gov/circuitcourt |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to perform a wedding in Loudoun 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 proximity to Maryland and Washington D.C., this situation comes up regularly. Contact the clerk well before your ceremony date if your officiant is from outside Virginia.
Marriage License Requirements in Loudoun 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 (703) 777-0270 or check the clerk's website before your visit.
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 advise you on how to note that 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. Bring a certified birth certificate 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 Loudoun 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 (703) 777-0270 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 Loudoun County license is not valid in Maryland, which borders the county to the north and east.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Loudoun 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.
Loudoun County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Loudoun County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 18 E. Market Street 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 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 removed from copies regardless of the record's age.
The VDH FAQ page covers eligibility and how to request records from Loudoun County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Loudoun County Circuit Court clerk at 18 E. Market Street in Leesburg handles marriage licenses and maintains official county marriage records.
Historical Loudoun County Marriage Records
Virginia required statewide recording of marriages beginning in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Loudoun 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.
Loudoun County was formed in 1757 from Fairfax County. Marriage bonds and pre-1853 records are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website has contact information for the Loudoun clerk's office for historical record inquiries.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Loudoun. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court clerk regardless of where you live.
Nearby Cities
Leesburg is the county seat of Loudoun County and has its own city page with more local information.