How to Apply for a Marriage License in Virginia. In this Article: Preparing to Apply Applying for Your Marriage License Community Q&A. To get married in Virginia, you and your future spouse must apply for a marriage license. Fortunately, the application process is relatively simple. How to obtain copies of vital records such as a birth certificate, birth record, death record, marriage license, marriage record, divorce decree, probate record or naturalization record in Virginia counties. Included are the addresses and phone numbers of the appropriate office to contact, such as the county clerk's office, probate court, registrars' office or health department.

Virginia Marriage Requirements
Courthouse Arlington Va Marriage License
Virginia Marriage Records
Fairfax County Marriage License

Verify the required signatures are on the marriage license after the wedding ceremony. Both spouses and an eligible celebrant (the person conducting the ceremony) must sign the license for it to be valid. Virginia does not require other witnesses to be present at the ceremony or sign the license. Records

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Eligible religious celebrants must be authorized by a Virginia Circuit Court prior to performing the wedding ceremony. Out-of-state ministers must present themselves and documentation of their ordination and pastoral appointment to the Circuit Court office.^[16]
Online ordinations, such as those from the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries, are usually not recognized by Circuit Courts.
Religious individuals whose religious tradition does not have ordained ministers may be married by a person appointed by that tradition.^[17]
Each Circuit Court maintains a list of appointed individuals who are eligible to perform civil marriage ceremonies.^[18] A non-religious celebrant may be authorized to perform a marriage ceremony by order of the Circuit Court issuing the marriage license.^[19]

The Clerk of the Arlington County Circuit Court is now issuing marriage licenses to same-gender couples, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to review rulings in Virginia and four other states that cleared the way for marriage equality in those states, according to a news release from the county. Here's more about the action, from the release:

Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette welcomed the Supreme Court's decision and the announcement by Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring that Virginia now recognizes marriage equality in the Commonwealth and will recognize same-gender marriages performed in other states. Herring, joined by members of Arlington's state legislative delegation and Chair Fisette, spoke to reporters outside the Arlington County Courthouse, where marriage licenses are issued.

Virginia Marriage Requirements

The Attorney General said that Clerks of the Circuit Court across the Commonwealth will issue marriage licenses to same-gender couples. Those couples 'will now enjoy all of the rights and privileges of marriage' in Virginia, Herring said, and the Commonwealth will recognize same-sex marriages performed legally in other states.

Elected in 1997 as the first openly gay elected official in Virginia, 'I had absolutely no idea that this day would come in my lifetime – let alone while I was still in office,' Fisette said. 'It is a testament to the courage of people to be open and honest, and the courage of others to listen, learn and love. While this day seems to have come fast, it is the persistent work of generations – following untold pain and suffering – that got us to this day.'

Courthouse Arlington Va Marriage License

Fisette noted that more work is needed to achieve full marriage equality across the nation. 'Thirty-to-forty percent of Americans are still without marriage equality and millions of good, kind LGBT people around the world continue to be victimized for who they are,' he said.

Virginia Marriage Records

Clerk of the Arlington County Circuit Court Paul Ferguson said he had the appropriate forms available, and is prepared to immediately issue licenses to same-gender couples.

Anyone interested in obtaining a marriage license may do so at the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office in Arlington, or in any City or County in Virginia. In Arlington, the Clerk's Office prepares marriage licenses Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information on how to obtain a marriage license, visit the County website.

Fairfax County Marriage License

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