Marriage

Marriage Licenses

Every marriage in Virginia must be licensed and solemnized according to state law. The following information is intended to summarize these laws but should not be construed as legal advice:

Age Requirements & Consent

The minimum age for marriage in the Commonwealth of Virginia is 18 years for both parties, unless a minor has been emancipated by court order. Upon application for a marriage license, an emancipated minor shall provide a certified copy of the order of emancipation.

Prohibited Marriages

The following categories of marriages are illegal in Virginia:

A marriage entered into prior to the dissolution of an earlier marriage of one of the parties
Between an ancestor and descendant
Between a brother and a sister
Between an uncle and a niece
Between an aunt and a nephew whether the relationship is by the half or whole blood
By adoption

When either party lacks the mental or physical capacity to consent to the marriage; "Common law" marriages are not valid if entered into in Virginia or any other jurisdiction which does not permit them for its residents.

Where to Obtain License

A marriage license may be obtained from the Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court in any city or county in Virginia. A license may be obtained in Roanoke County even if one or both parties do not reside in the County. Once granted, a marriage license permits a marriage ceremony anywhere in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Both parties must appear in person to receive the license, no appointment is necessary. The Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court in Roanoke County is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Monday through Friday except holidays. Each party must furnish the required information under oath or affirmation and falsifying any information on a marriage license could subject the parties to prosecution for perjury. You shall be asked to furnish documentary proof (such as photo id) of certain information on the application (such as age or termination of previous marriage).

The marriage must be performed within 60 days of the license being issued.
Our office does not perform the Marriage Ceremonies.

Fees & Copies

There is a fee of $30 to issue the marriage license. We accept cash, checks, or debit/credit cards.

Certified copies of marriage records may be obtained in person or by mail from the Circuit Court Clerk’s office that issued the marriage license for a fee of $2.50 each or from the Virginia Division of Department of Health Vital Records in Richmond at 804-662-6200.

Corrections

The officiant must not make any corrections when completing their portion of the marriage license. If a correction is made, the officiant will have to come in with both copies of the license and complete an affidavit.

Marriage Rites (VA Code 20-23)

To perform weddings in the Commonwealth of Virginia, you must register at any Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

Requirements

This office requires:

Original Ordination Certificate (the office will make a copy and return).
A letter on the church's letterhead stating you are a member in good standing and one of your duties is to perform weddings.
There is a fee of $22 for this service. Registration of marriage rites does not expire but may be revoked at any time.

Notice

Pursuant to the Virginia Supreme Court ruling in Cramer v. Commonwealth and in an Attorney General's written opinion, online ordinations do not fulfill the statutory requirements to qualify as a local minister to officiate the rights of matrimony under the VA Code. Therefore, we will not accept online ordination certificates.