Find Marriage Records in Charlottesville
Charlottesville marriage records are maintained by the Albemarle County Circuit Court Clerk, located at 501 East Jefferson Street in Charlottesville. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses and stores completed marriage certificates for the city. For certified copies of marriages from 1936 forward, the Virginia Department of Health offers requests by mail or in person for a . Marriages before 1936 are only available at the local clerk's office.
Charlottesville Overview
Charlottesville Circuit Court Clerk
Charlottesville is an independent city, but it shares its judicial circuit with Albemarle County. The Albemarle County Circuit Court Clerk handles all marriage license issuance and record keeping for the city. The office is at 501 East Jefferson Street in Charlottesville, and you can reach them at (434) 972-4083. Hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. This is the place to go whether you need to apply for a marriage license or get a copy of a past marriage record.
For more recent records, the clerk can provide a certified copy at the time of your visit. If you need a copy mailed to you, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your written request. Fees apply and vary based on the type of copy. Call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule and what ID you need to bring. The court also maintains online access to some civil records through the Virginia Courts system.
| Office | Albemarle County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 501 East Jefferson Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 |
| Phone | (434) 972-4083 |
| Court Website | albemarle.org/circuitcourt |
| Virginia Courts | courts.state.va.us |
Applying for a Marriage License in Charlottesville
Both people must appear in person at the Albemarle County Circuit Court Clerk's office to get a marriage license. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. If either party has been married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, the circuit court clerk issues all licenses. Virginia has no waiting period, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs and returns the license to the clerk's office. The clerk records the marriage and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health as required under Virginia Code § 32.1-267. Both parties should get a copy of the completed license for their records. You can request a certified copy from the clerk on the same day you pick up your license or any time after.
Charlottesville's court serves a large area. The Albemarle County courthouse handles cases for both the county and the city. Plan for parking and security screening before entering the building.
Copies of Charlottesville Marriage Records
You can get a certified copy of a Charlottesville marriage record from two places. For marriages from 1936 to the present, contact the Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office. The fee is $12 per certified copy under Virginia Code § 32.1-273. Submit the Application for Certification of Vital Record (form VS6) along with a copy of your photo ID. You can mail the request to 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23230.
For marriages before 1936, the Albemarle County Circuit Court Clerk is your only option. Call (434) 972-4083 to ask about fees, turnaround time, and the request process. The clerk can also help with older records that date back much further. Albemarle County marriages from 1780 to 1853 have been compiled and may be accessible through the Library of Virginia, which holds many early Virginia marriage records in its collections.
Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, marriage records are restricted for 25 years from the date of the event. After 25 years, the records are open to any member of the public. Before that date, only the named parties, their immediate family, or those with a legal need can access them.
Historical Charlottesville Marriage Records
Charlottesville has a long marriage record history tied to Albemarle County. The Library of Virginia holds Albemarle County marriages from 1780 to 1853. These older records can be searched through their online catalog or by contacting the Library of Virginia directly. If you are doing genealogical research, this is often the best starting point for pre-1900 marriages in the area.
Marriage records maintained by the circuit court clerk cover the period from the city's establishment through the present. The clerk's office is the primary keeper of original marriage licenses and certificates. These are stored in the record room and can be accessed in person. Microfilm and digital copies exist for some time periods and may also be available for research visits.
The Library of Virginia also holds other related records such as birth and death registers from 1853 to 1896. These can help round out a family history when combined with marriage record searches.
Charlottesville City Resources
The City of Charlottesville website provides links to city departments including information on court services and local government offices. Use this as a starting point for finding current contact details and hours.
The city site includes links to the Albemarle Circuit Court and other resources you may need when requesting marriage documents or applying for a license.
Virginia Vital Records
The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records portal handles certified copy requests for Charlottesville marriage records from 1936 forward. This is a convenient option if you cannot visit the clerk's office in person.
Mail your VS6 application form, a copy of your ID, and payment to the VDH Richmond office to receive your certified copy by mail.
Virginia Laws That Apply
Several Virginia statutes govern how marriage records are created and accessed in Charlottesville. Virginia Code § 20-14 gives the circuit court clerk the authority to issue marriage licenses. Virginia Code § 32.1-267 requires that all marriages be reported to the state. The public access rules are in Virginia Code § 32.1-271, and the fee cap is in Virginia Code § 32.1-273. For questions about your right to access a record, the Virginia FOIA Council can provide guidance under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704.
Albemarle County Marriage Records
Charlottesville filings go through the Albemarle County Circuit Court. The county court handles all marriage license issuance and record storage for the city. Visit the Albemarle County marriage records page for more details on the court and available resources.
Nearby Cities
These Virginia cities are near Charlottesville and have their own marriage record resources.