Marriage License Information
Beach Weddings Virginia knows getting married is exciting and wonderful, but also stressful. After all, you have a lot to think about. One of the most important things you don’t want to overlook is the marriage license. Here are a few guidelines to help you get started.
You will need to obtain a marriage license before your wedding. Fortunately, it’s easy to do in Virginia. A marriage license can be obtained from any Circuit Courthouse in Virginia. It does not have to come from the same city or county where your elopement will take place.
Generally, the courts are open from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. They are closed Saturdays, Sundays, and all state holidays. You will have to go in person. It is not necessary to be a Virginia resident, US citizen, or have a blood test to get a marriage license in Virginia. All you need is a photo ID for each of you and $30 payable to the Circuit Court of Virginia.
Once you have the marriage license, you can get married immediately. However, you must “use it” (get married) within 60 days. After your wedding ceremony, your officiant, minister, or Justice of the Peace will fill out and sign the license. He or she will then return it to the same courthouse you got it from. Witnesses are not required in Virginia.
If you want a certified copy of the completed license for legal purposes, you can get one from the courthouse after the officiant returns it. The courts charge about $3 per copy. Some courts let you pre-pay for the copies when you get the license, but not all do. Ask the court about it when you get the license.