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:

1. Age Requirements and Consent

The minimum age for marriage in the Commonwealth of Virginia is 16 years for both bride and groom with consent. If either party is less than 18 years old, consent to the marriage must be given in person by the father, mother or legal guardian of the minor. The law permits marriage by residents of Virginia less than sixteen if the bride is pregnant when seeking the marriage license or has been pregnant within the nine months preceding examination by a physician and the parent or guardian of the underage party gives consent wherein the jurisdiction the female resides .

 2. 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;

A marriage between an ancestor and descendant; or between a brother and a sister; or between an uncle and a niece; or between an aunt and a nephew; whether the relationship is by the half or whole blood or by adoption;

When either party lacks the mental or physical capacity to consent to the marriage;

A marriage between persons of the same sex;

"Common law" marriages are not valid if entered into in Virginia or any other jurisdiction which does not permit them for its residents.

1. 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. 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 may be asked to furnish documentary proof of certain information on the application (such as age or termination of previous marriage).

Marriage License Application

2. Time Limitations

The marriage must be performed within 60 days of the license being issued.

3. Fees

There is a fee of $30 to issue the marriage license.

How do I change my name when I get married?

If you wish to change your last name upon marriage (whether you are the bride or groom), begin using the new name immediately after the marriage ceremony. It does not require a court order.

Social Security - Complete Social Security Administration Form SS-5 (this link requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader) and either mail or take it to your nearest Social Security Office.  For more information about changing your social security records, contact the Social Security Administration website.

Driver's License - Bring your driver's license, social security card and a certified copy of your marriage record (see below) to the Department of Motor Vehicles.  For more information about correcting your DMV records, visit the DMV website.

Voter Registration - Notify the Registrar's Office of your name change.

Personal Property - Notify the Commissioner of the Revenue of your name change within 30 days.

Address Changes - If you will also be changing your address, don't forget to notify the Registrar's Office, the Commissioner of the Revenue's office, the U. S. Postal Service with the USPS Change of Address Form and the Internal Revenue Service with IRS Form 8822.

Other - There may be other agencies, businesses and/or associates that may need to be notified that your name has changed.

How do I obtain a certified copy of, or information about, a marriage record?

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, from the Virginia Division of Vital Records  (see Vital Records website for fees) in Richmond or by calling  (804) 662-6200. The full names of the bride and groom as well as the date and place of marriage must be provided. Marriage records are fully searchable in the public records room of the Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court in the Roanoke County Courthouse.