Are Virginia Marriage Records Public?
While Virginia marriage records are public, they represent some of the most difficult records to obtain due to the personal nature of the information within. Government organizations often offer marriage verification letters rather than the original marriage records because marriage records must remain intact and unchanged with regard to the people involved in the marriage. If changes need to be made, these records are critical to that procedure.
Family Court Records can include marriage records and divorce records. These records contain personal records and information of those involved and their maintenance is critical should anyone involved wish to make changes. Because of this both marriage and divorce records can be considered more difficult to locate and obtain than other public records, and may not be available through government sources or third-party public record websites.
How to Find Virginia Marriage Records
Marriage, defined as a formally or legally recognized union of two people in a loving, personal relationship, also acts as a contract between two people. This contract can involve any children between the two parties, property, and other obligations regarding finances and income. Virginia marriage records are considered public records, meaning that copies of them can be accessed by members of the public. Both marriage certificates and marriage licenses are considered a component of Virginia public marriage records.
Record seekers can find marriage records in Virginia by submitting a marriage certificate request to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of Vital Records. The VDH Office of Vital Records is the state custodian of other vital records, such as marriage certificates, divorce certificates, birth records, and death records. The VDH also publishes vital statistics of the state members of the public can inspect. To find and inspect vital statistics online inquirers can make use of the VDH statistical reports and table portal. Meanwhile, marriage license records may be inspected or copied through Virginia circuit courts.
How to Find Out if Someone is Married in Virginia
A marriage record search in Virginia can be used to find marriage records, such as marriage certificates and licenses, to determine if someone is married in the state. To find out if someone has a marriage certificate in Virginia, submit a marriage certificate request to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records or the closest vital record office. It should be emphasized that only certain qualified individuals are eligible to obtain certified marriage certificates from the VDH. These are the registrant, their immediate family, and their legal representative. This rule applies to marriages that occurred within the last 25 years. After 25 years, VDH marriage records become public information that anybody can access. People who do not meet the aforementioned criteria may be able to order an unverified copy of the record.
As an alternative, one may look through family court records in the city or county where the marriage most likely took place for Virginia marriage licenses. By doing this, one may learn whether a subject had ever applied for a marriage license, which would suggest they may have been married. Additionally, one can look through the court’s divorce records. In so doing, one may be able to uncover any dissolution of marriage records the subject may have to find out if they are still married.
What is Considered a Marriage Record in Virginia?
Virginia marriage records include Marriage Certificates and the original Marriage Licenses. These types of documents are utilized for different things, although they all contain very similar information about the parties and marriage. A full marriage record is the most complete and legal assertment that a marriage has taken place in the state of Virginia.
Both government websites and organizations may offer divorce and marriage records. Similarly, third party public record websites can also provide these types of records. But because third party organizations are not operated or sponsored by the government, record availability may vary. Further, marriage and divorce records are considered highly private and are often sealed, meaning the availability of these types of records cannot be guaranteed. Regardless, one may be able to conduct a divorce and marriage record search in Virginia using resources offered by the state government and certain third-party organizations.
How to Find Public Marriage Records for Free
It’s impossible to access Virginia public marriage records for completely free. However, members of the public can find copies for a cheap price through the Virginia Department of Health Vital Records or the clerk of courts in the Virginia circuit court in the county where the marriage happened. These copies will not be verified, but they can still serve as evidence that a marriage occurred and can still provide a number of purposes. Because they are not state verified copies, they may not be able to serve the purpose of other marriage certificates and are not substitutes for a marriage license. Confirm with the Virginia Department of Health whether the record being requested can serve the purpose that the requesting party intends.
How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Virginia
When a person gets married and wants to change their name after marriage in Virginia, they must copy their marriage license. Newly married persons will receive their license from the clerk’s office in the county where they said their vows. They may also request additional certified copies to file name change forms. Having obtained certified copies of their marriage license, individuals looking to conduct a name change after marriage must file a request with social security. Applicants must complete the SS-5 form and attach required documents such as:
- A certified copy of their marriage certificate
- A copy of a US driver’s license or passport
The application is free, and applicants will get their new social security card by mail within two weeks. Interested persons can apply to change the name on their Virginia driver’s license two days after applying for a new social security card. Applicants must go to their local DMV and complete the necessary forms. They must also bring their current license, proof of residence, and the $20 application fee.
The next step in the application process for anyone changing their name after marriage is to notify the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about the name change. To do this, applicants must complete the IRS 8822 form that allows individuals to change their name and address. After changing their name with the IRS, the next step is to alter their existing US passport. Applicants must complete forms DS-11, DS-82, or DS-5504. Applicants must attach a certified copy of a marriage license, two photos in 2x2 format, and the application fee.
What is Considered a Marriage Certificate in Virginia?
Virginia Marriage Certificates are documents created after a couple has been married. After the ceremony, the court typically gives the couple these documents for their own personal files. A marriage certificate is proof that a marriage has already happened, not to be confused with a marriage license, which gives state permission to a couple to get married.
How Do I Get My Marriage Certificate in Virginia?
Many Virginia Vital records Offices can provide certified copies of marriage certificates for marriages that occurred within the last 100 years, but the dates vary. The state of Division Vital Records holds records dating from January of 1853 to present day. Certified copies of Virginia vital records are not available to everyone. To obtain one's own marriage certificate, complete an application including the full names of both parties involved, the date and location of the marriage ceremony, and the name of the court that issued the original license to be married. The mother, father, husband, wife, adult children, siblings, grandparents, and other immediate family members can also use this method to access marriage certificates. After the application is completed, make sure to include the $12.00 search fee in the form of cash, check, money order VISA, or Mastercard. To pay for authentication of a record, the cost is $10.00 by check, payable to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Typically, one can visit the vital records office closest to them to submit this application. They can also mail in the application, with a photocopy of their valid ID, to
State Division of Vital Records
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
Requesting parties should allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery of a marriage certificate if requested by mail through Vital Records. If requesting this record in person from the clerk of court where the marriage license was issued, the fees may vary, but same day service is possible.
How Do I Obtain a Copy of My Marriage Certificate in Virginia
To obtain a copy of one’s own marriage certificate in Virginia, it may be easiest for someone to visit the clerk of court in the Circuit Court where the marriage was legally finalized or the marriage license was issued. It is also possible to request these records from the Vital Records Office. The vital record office also accepts requests for other vital records, such as divorce certificates in Virginia. The price may vary by county if requested from the clerk of court, but the price for requesting this type of record from Vital records is typically $12.00.
The Vital Record Office provides several means through which record seekers obtain a copy of their marriage certificate, one of which is by placing an order online. To place an order online for a marriage certificate in Virginia, record seekers can use the Online Vital Record Application portal. On the portal, the requester would need to provide some information about themselves, such as their full name, email address, phone number, residential address, mailing address (if it differs from their residential address), and acceptable ID documents. Additionally, the requester would also need to provide information about the requested certificate, such as both spouses' full names, date of marriage, place of marriage, and the county circuit court where their marriage license was issued. To finalize the online order, the requester would need to pay the online application fee and submit their application.
Record seekers should note that it takes two (2) weeks for an online marriage certificate order to be processed by the vital records office. For expedited service, one can use third-party websites that offer online marriage certificate ordering services. Most third-party websites offer two (2) - five (5) days of processing time.
What is Considered a Marriage License in Virginia?
A marriage license in Virginia acts as permission from the court of law for two people to enter into a marriage. It is necessary to provide specific information about oneself in order to obtain this type of license, and there are few requirements. Virginia marriage licenses are granted by the Clerk of Court within a Circuit Court. To apply for a marriage license, neither party in the couple must be residents of the state of Virginia and they may visit any circuit court in the state. The information to apply generally will include the names of both parties, valid identification, and both of their social security numbers. Requirements for obtaining a marriage license are:
- For the couple to appear together at the Clerk of Circuit Court to apply
- Provide proof of divorce or death if previously married
- The marriage must be planned to be performed within 60 days of obtaining the license
- A fee of $30.00 (depending on the court additional charges may apply)
- Both parties must be 18 years old or older. If younger than 18, consent must be provided by one of their legal guardians (father, mother, etc.). This consent can be given in person or written and signed in front of a notary public.
Marriages between relatives and common law marriages are not legally recognized in the state of Virginia.
Are Prenups Public Record in Virginia?
Per the Virginia Premarital Agreement Act, a prenup, also known as a “premarital agreement,” refers to an agreement established between prospective spouses in anticipation of marriage that will take effect upon marriage. However, there is no state legislation defining whether prenuptial agreements are public data. Hence, the general public may be able to obtain and review these records.
