Circuit Court Alert:
Fairfax County does not provide "Justice of the Peace" services at the Courthouse. Civil Marriage Celebrants are available by appointment at the location of your choosing. Contact the celebrants listed to schedule arrangements for your ceremony. Although it is not required to use a celebrant from this list, all civil marriage celebrants must be authorized to perform weddings in Virginia per Code of Virginia § 20-25. Please allow approximately 10 - 14 business days after filing for processing.
Clergy affiliated with a church in the Commonwealth of Virginia and clergy affiliated with a church outside the Commonwealth of Virginia who wish to perform a wedding ceremony in Virginia, must receive authorization through a Virginia Circuit Court prior to performing the ceremony. This is pursuant to §20-23 and §20-26 of the Code of Virginia
Pursuant to § 20-27 of the Code of Virginia, any person authorized under § 20-25 to celebrate the rites of marriage shall be permitted to charge the parties a fee for the ceremony not to exceed $75 for each ceremony. Such person and parties may negotiate payment for any additional services agreed to by the celebrant and the parties. Additionally, such person shall be permitted to charge the parties travel expenses to and from the marriage site. If conveyance is by public transportation, reimbursement shall be at the actual cost thereof. If the conveyance is by private transportation, reimbursement shall be at the rate specified in the current general appropriations act of the Commonwealth. In either event, the actual cost of the ceremony together with travel expenses shall be given to the parties at least three days prior to the marriage ceremony.
For the fee for a marriage license, visit our Marriage License Information page or call 703-246-4100.
Marriages are not performed by the Clerk's office, however, a list of local civil marriage celebrants is available above or at any of the magisterial government centers throughout the county. A list of civil marriage celebrants may also be obtained by mail. Send a written request, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Clerk of the Circuit Court, Public Service Division, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 116, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Virginia and out-of-state clergy must be authorized by the Circuit Court prior to performing marriage ceremonies in Virginia. For more information, call 703-691-7320 and press 3, 6, 1, 4 (TTY 711) for qualifying details.