Lunenburg County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Lunenburg County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 160 Courthouse Square in Lunenburg. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Lunenburg County Overview
Lunenburg County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Lunenburg 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 Lunenburg County clerk's office is at 160 Courthouse Square in Lunenburg, the county seat, in south-central Virginia between the Roanoke River and the North Carolina border.
Virginia has no residency requirement for a marriage license. You can apply in Lunenburg County regardless of where you live. Both applicants must appear at the clerk's office in person at the same time. No proxy applications are accepted. Applications are processed the same day. Bring both people and all required documents in a single visit.
Lunenburg County was formed in 1745 from Brunswick County. The courthouse is on Courthouse Square in the small town of Lunenburg. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call (434) 696-2230 before your visit with any questions.
| Office | Lunenburg County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 160 Courthouse Square Lunenburg, VA 23952 |
| Phone | (434) 696-2230 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to perform a wedding in Lunenburg 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 complete the authorization process.
Marriage License Requirements in Lunenburg 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 whether a specific document works, call (434) 696-2230 before making the trip to Lunenburg.
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 help you 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. 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 Lunenburg 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 (434) 696-2230 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 Lunenburg County license cannot be used in North Carolina, which is not far to the south.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the Lunenburg 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.
Lunenburg County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Lunenburg County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 160 Courthouse Square 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 Lunenburg County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Virginia Department of Health maintains Lunenburg County marriage records as part of the statewide vital records system.
Historical Lunenburg County Marriage Records
Virginia required statewide recording of marriages beginning in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Lunenburg 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.
Lunenburg County was formed in 1745 from Brunswick County. It was the parent county for both Halifax and Mecklenburg counties, established later. Marriage bonds and pre-1853 records are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website has contact information for the Lunenburg clerk's office for historical record inquiries.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lunenburg. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court clerk regardless of where you live.