Get your Certified Virginia Marriage Certificate

The fee for a certified copy of a Virginia marriage certificate varies by county and ordering method. When ordering through VitalRecordsOnline.com, processing fees apply in addition to the state or county fee. Contact your local vital records office or county clerk for the exact current fee schedule. Expedited processing and shipping options are available for an additional charge.

Yes, you can order a Virginia marriage certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. The online process allows you to submit your application, provide required information, and pay securely. Online orders are typically processed faster than mail-in requests. You will need to provide identifying information about both spouses and the date and location of the marriage.

In Virginia, the individuals named on the marriage certificate, their immediate family members, legal representatives, and those with a direct and tangible interest may request a certified copy. Third-party requestors typically need to provide a notarized authorization letter from one of the parties named on the certificate, along with valid identification and a statement explaining the purpose of the request.

Virginia marriage records are generally considered public records. However, access to certified copies may be limited to authorized individuals such as the parties named on the certificate, their family members, or those with a legitimate legal need. Informational or non-certified copies may be available for genealogical research and other purposes. Contact the Virginia vital records office for specific access policies.

A marriage license is the document you obtain before your wedding that legally authorizes you to marry in Virginia. A marriage certificate is the official record proving your marriage took place. After your ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the appropriate office for filing. Once recorded, it becomes the official marriage certificate. You need the certificate for legal purposes like name changes, insurance benefits, tax filing, and immigration applications.

You can obtain a certified copy of a Virginia marriage certificate from the state vital records office, the county clerk or recorder where the marriage was filed, or online through VitalRecordsOnline.com. For older records, you may need to contact the county directly or the state archives. Processing times vary by method, with online and in-person requests typically being the fastest options.

If you lose your marriage certificate:

1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the VDH Office of Vital Records.
2. 1. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department.
   2. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the VDH Office of Vital Records at:
      Virginia Department of Health,
      Office of Vital Records,
      PO Box 1000,
      Richmond, Virginia 23218-1000
      
   3. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. VDH Office of Vital Records will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

The Office of Vital Records (VDH-OVR) is the official custodian for all birth, death, marriage, and divorce records filed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Individuals should contact the city or county Circuit Court that issued the certificate for corrections to marriage records. After the court makes the correction, it will forward the updated certificate to VDH-OVR for filing. After receiving an application for a correction, VDH-OVR will review the court documentation and proceed with the necessary updates.

Correcting or amending marriage records usually will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application;
2. Supporting documentation;
3. Appropriate fee(s);

Apostilles can be requested from the Virginia Secretary of State or Vital Records Online (VRO). VRO offers reliable apostille services in all 50 states and is legally recognized by governments and organizations in over 100 countries.

An apostille is necessary to certify vital records for use in another country. The Virginia Secretary of State issues apostilles for vital records originally filed with the VDH-OVR.

You will need to provide the following information:

1. A completed Authentication Submittal Form
2. Certified marriage record certificate – must have been issued by the Department of Health – Vital Records Division or your local Department of Motor Vehicles within the past 12 months.
3. Pay a fee of $10.00 per document, payable to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. If several documents are signed by the same public official (notary public, deputy clerk, etc.) on the same date for the same country, the fee is $10.00 for the first document and $ 5.00 for each additional document.
4. A self-addressed envelope for return delivery.

You can submit requests for marriage record apostilles to the Secretary of the Commonwealth at the following addresses:

For standard mail or express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), submit the request to the physical address: