Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, located in the Fairfax Judicial Center, on the first floor, Public Service Office, 4110 Chain Bridge Rd., Suite 116, Fairfax. The fee is $30.00 payable by cash or credit card (Visa or Mastercard only with a 4% processing fee). Both parties must appear before the Clerk to obtain a license and must be 18 years of age or older (proof of age is required with either a valid driver's license with picture, passport or military identification), or if between 16 and 18, a parent must appear with identification. The Clerk's Office will provide a special affidavit for the parent's signature.

There are no residency requirements to obtain a marriage license in Virginia. A couple may go to any circuit court in Virginia to obtain this license. Once the license is issued, there is no waiting period and no blood test is required. The marriage license is valid for 60 calendar days and the marriage must take place in Virginia.

Marriages are not performed by the Clerk's office, however, a list of local civil marriage celebrants is available at the Circuit Court or any of the magisterial government centers throughout the county. A list of civil marriage celebrants may be obtained by mail. Send a written request, along with a self addressed, stamped envelope to the address listed above. Out-of-state ministers must be authorized by the Circuit Court to perform marriage ceremonies in Virginia. Call 703-691-7320, and press 3, 6, 1, 4 for qualifying details.

To obtain a certified copy of a marriage license, the license must have been issued by the Fairfax Circuit Court. The certified copy can be obtained either in person or by mail. To obtain a copy in person, go to the Public Service Office on the first floor of the Judicial Center, Suite 116. The fee for a certified copy of a marriage license is $2.50 per copy and will be made while you wait. The court does not accept personal checks for payment. Payment is by cash, cashier's check or money order payable to "Clerk of the Circuit Court". Visa and Mastercard are also accepted with a 4% processing fee.

PLEASE NOTE:
Marriage licenses issued between July 1, 1997 and June 30, 2001 have not been configured to prevent disclosure of the social security number or control number and shall not be available for general public inspection in the offices of clerks of the circuit courts. Either the bride or groom may obtain copies of their marriage license in person by appearing in the offices of the circuit courts with valid photo id (i.e. driver's license, passport or military identification). If an individual other than the applicants wish to obtain a copy of a license issued during this time span he shall only obtain copies (i) upon the order of the circuit court within which such application was made or register is maintained; (ii) pursuant to a lawful subpoena duces tecum issued to the clerk; (iii) upon the written and notarized authorization of either of the applicants; or (iv) upon the request of a law-enforcement officer or duly authorized representative of the Division of Child Support Enforcement in the course of performing his official duties.

In order to obtain a copy by mail, the customer must prepare a written request providing the date of the marriage, the name of the groom and maiden name of the bride. (Marriage licenses issued between July 1, 1997 and July 30, 2001 shall abide by the stipulations stated previously.) A self-addressed, stamped envelope must be enclosed. The fee for a certified copy of a marriage license is $2.50 per copy. The court does not accept personal checks for payment. The method of payment can be cashier's check or money order. Credit card payments cannot be accepted through the mail. The copy will be mailed within two weeks from receipt of the request. Mail the request to Fairfax Circuit Court, Attention: Marriage License Copies, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 116, Fairfax, VA 22030.

If the marriage occurred in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the circuit court is unknown, the Division of Vital Records in Richmond can provide copies. The address is Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23219-1000. For more information please visit the Vital Records Web site or call 804-662-6200.

If you have any questions, please contact the Fairfax Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 703-691-7320, press 3, 6, 1.