Roanoke County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Roanoke County are issued by the Circuit Court Clerk at 215 E. Main Street in Salem — the independent city where the Roanoke County courthouse is located. Both applicants must appear in person together, bring valid photo ID, and pay the $30 fee.
Roanoke County Overview
Roanoke County Circuit Court Clerk
The Clerk of the Circuit Court for Roanoke County is the only office that can issue marriage licenses for the county. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, all Virginia marriage licenses must come from a circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. Roanoke County's courthouse is located in Salem, an independent city in the Roanoke Valley. The clerk's office address is 215 E. Main Street, Salem, VA 24153.
Virginia law has no residency requirement. You can apply in Roanoke County no matter where you live. Both people must appear together in person at the time of application. No proxy applications are accepted. The clerk processes applications the same day. Bring all required documents and both applicants to get it done in one visit.
Roanoke County was formed in 1838 from Botetourt County and sits in western Virginia in the Roanoke Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Note that the City of Roanoke and the City of Salem are both independent cities — they are separate legal jurisdictions from Roanoke County, though they share the same region. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (540) 375-3010 before your visit.
| Office | Roanoke County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 215 E. Main Street Salem, VA 24153 |
| Phone | (540) 375-3010 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Out-of-state ministers who plan to officiate at ceremonies in Roanoke County must apply to the clerk for authorization. They must post a $500 bond and take an oath of office. Virginia-licensed ministers and judges are already authorized and need no additional local approval. If your officiant is from out of state, contact the clerk well before the ceremony date.
Marriage License Requirements in Roanoke County
Both applicants must go to the clerk's office together. Each person needs a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, U.S. passport, state-issued ID card, or military ID will work. Expired IDs will not be accepted. Call (540) 375-3010 before your visit if you have a question about a specific document.
You must provide your Social Security number. The card itself is not required, but the number must be given on the application. Under Virginia Code § 20-16, the clerk also requires the full legal names of both applicants' parents, including each mother's maiden name before marriage. Have all of this ready before your visit. If a parent's name is unknown to you, ask the clerk for guidance.
Both applicants must be at least 18. Virginia Code § 20-48 sets this as a hard minimum with no exceptions. Virginia's prior law allowing younger applicants with parental consent has been repealed. Your photo ID establishes proof of age. Bring a certified birth certificate if there is any question about age.
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 Roanoke 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 fee when you apply. Call (540) 375-3010 to confirm accepted payment methods before your visit.
The license is valid for 60 days. Virginia Code § 20-14.1 states that if no ceremony occurs within that period, the license expires. There is no extension and no refund. If your wedding is delayed past 60 days, you must reapply and pay the fee again. The ceremony must also take place within Virginia. A Roanoke County license cannot be used in another state.
After the ceremony, the officiant must sign the marriage certificate and return it to the Roanoke 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 through the clerk for $2.50 each.
Roanoke County Marriage Records and Certified Copies
Certified copies of Roanoke County marriage records are available from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk at 215 E. Main Street in Salem holds copies of licenses issued there. Copies cost $2.50 each. You can request in person or by mail. For mail requests, include both spouses' names, the approximate marriage date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
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 following 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 Roanoke County or any Virginia jurisdiction.
The Roanoke County Circuit Court Clerk office in Salem processes marriage license applications for Roanoke County.
Historical Roanoke County Marriage Records
Virginia began requiring statewide recording of marriages in 1853. The Library of Virginia holds Roanoke County marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 on microfilm. These registers include the date and place of marriage, both parties' full names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, occupations, and the officiant's name. Researchers can borrow microfilm through interlibrary loan at no cost.
FamilySearch has digitized Virginia county marriage registers from 1853 to 1935 and made them searchable online for free. Virginia residents can also 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.
Roanoke County was formed in 1838 from Botetourt County. Marriage bonds and early records from before 1853 are held at the Library of Virginia. The Virginia Judicial System website provides contact details for the Roanoke County clerk's office for historical record inquiries.
Nearby Cities
The City of Roanoke and the City of Salem are independent cities adjacent to Roanoke County. Each has its own clerk's office for marriage licenses.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Roanoke County. You may apply at any Virginia circuit court regardless of where you live.