State guide
Virginia
Virginia marriage licenses are issued by circuit court clerks, and a license from any Virginia circuit court can be used anywhere in the Commonwealth. Virginia also has a well-developed civil celebrant system, including local one-time celebrant applications, while certain religious societies without ministers may solemnize marriages in their own traditional manner.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who issues licenses
- clerk of the circuit court
- Waiting period
- none
- License valid for
- 60 days
- Witnesses
- not required
- License fee
- $30 (as published by Fairfax and Chesterfield circuit court clerks)
- Friend or one-day officiant
- Virginia permits one-time civil celebrant authorization through local circuit courts/clerks under § 20-25; counties such as Fairfax, Prince William, and Loudoun publish local application instructions.
Official resources in Virginia
Statute on issuance of marriage licenses and certificates by circuit court clerks.
Statute setting the 60-day duration of a Virginia marriage license.
Marriage chapter containing celebrant, one-time authorization, and religious-society provisions.
Official statewide court system page for finding local circuit courts that issue licenses.
Current local clerk page showing no waiting period, 60-day validity, and published license fee.
Key facts for Virginia
- Any circuit court clerk in any Virginia county or city may issue the marriage license.
- Once issued, there is no waiting period, and the marriage must take place in Virginia.
- A Virginia marriage license is valid for 60 days from issuance.
- Fairfax and Chesterfield publish a $30 marriage-license fee.
- Virginia allows court-authorized civil celebrants, and authorized celebrants may charge up to $75 plus travel.
- Members of a religious society with no ordained minister may solemnize marriage in the manner practiced by that society.
Courthouse ceremonies in Virginia
| County | Details |
|---|---|
| Fairfax County | Clerk’s office does not perform marriages, but it publishes county ceremony locations and civil celebrant information for appointment-based civil ceremonies. |
| Prince William County | Official celebrant page with civil celebrant list and one-time civil celebrant application; couples arrange directly with an authorized celebrant. |
| Loudoun County | Official wedding officiant page for civil celebrant appointment; permanent program is paused, but one-time celebrant materials are published. |
| Chesterfield County | Circuit Court Clerk’s Office offers optional courthouse wedding ceremonies by appointment in a private conference room. |
What to do next
- Check your local circuit court’s process first; some offices require appointments or use pre-application systems.
- If you want a friend to officiate, review that county’s one-time civil celebrant packet well before the ceremony.
- Ask for certified copies when you apply or soon after recording; they are commonly needed for name-change tasks.
Helpful guides
- How to get married at the courthouse
- What to bring when you apply for a marriage license
- Marriage license waiting periods and expiration dates
- Do you need witnesses for a courthouse wedding?