Colonial Heights Marriage Records Lookup

Colonial Heights marriage records are managed by the Colonial Heights Circuit Court Clerk at 550 Boulevard. The clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains all completed marriage certificates for the city. Certified copies of records from 1936 onward are also available from the Virginia Department of Health. For records before 1961, when Colonial Heights was incorporated, you may need to check Chesterfield County records.

Colonial Heights Circuit Court Clerk

The Colonial Heights Circuit Court Clerk is an elected city official with over 800 statutory duties under the Code of Virginia. The clerk issues marriage licenses, records deeds and land records, and maintains all vital records for the city. The office is at 550 Boulevard, P.O. Box 3401, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. You can reach the clerk by phone at (804) 520-9364. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The clerk's office has an automated index retrieval system in the Record Room. Permanent land and court records are available from February 1, 1961 through the present. Records prior to 1961 were created under Chesterfield County, and those can be researched at Chesterfield County. The Record Room is open during normal business hours and does not require an appointment for most searches. Staff can assist with name-based lookups and provide copies on request.

Marriage Licenses in Colonial Heights

Both applicants must appear in person at the clerk's office to get a marriage license. Bring valid photo ID. If either person was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. Both parties must be at least 18 years old. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, the clerk issues the license. Virginia has no waiting period, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue.

Colonial Heights allows out-of-state ministers to officiate a ceremony if the minister is a property owner in Colonial Heights and meets the requirements under Virginia Code Section 20-23. If a minister's authorization is not clearly established under the code, a court approval is required, which carries a $29 filing fee. The Marriage Licenses page on the city's website has details on minister eligibility and the authorization process.

After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk. The clerk records it and files a copy with the Virginia Department of Health under Virginia Code § 32.1-267. Changing your name after marriage requires a certified copy of the marriage license, which you can request from the clerk's office at the time of the ceremony or any time after.

Copies and Fees for Colonial Heights Marriage Records

The Colonial Heights Circuit Court Clerk charges 50 cents per page for copies and an additional $2 per document for certified copies. Payment must be made in cash, check, or money order. The clerk's office does not accept debit or credit cards. If you need to mail in a request, include a money order or check along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope so the copy can be returned to you.

For marriages from 1936 onward, the Virginia Department of Health is another option. VDH charges $12 per certified copy under Virginia Code § 32.1-273. Submit form VS6 with a copy of your photo ID. Mail requests go to VDH at 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23230. VDH accepts online requests through their vital records portal as well.

For Colonial Heights marriages and records from before the city's February 1, 1961 incorporation, contact Chesterfield County. Those records were maintained by Chesterfield County prior to the city's formation and are held there now.

Colonial Heights Records Research

The Colonial Heights clerk's Records Research page gives details on what records are available and how to request them. The automated index system at 550 Boulevard lets you search by name for land and court records. Marriage records are part of that system for records from 1961 forward. You can search in person during business hours without a prior appointment in most cases.

Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, marriage records become public 25 years after the date of the event. Records less than 25 years old are restricted to the parties named in the record and their immediate family. The same rule applies whether you request from the clerk's office or from VDH.

If you are denied access and believe you have a right to the record, contact the Virginia FOIA Council. They can clarify your rights under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704 and explain how to proceed.

Colonial Heights City Government

The Colonial Heights city government website includes links to the Circuit Court Clerk, marriage license services, and records research pages. It is the best starting point before visiting in person or making a written request.

The site also provides details on accepted payment methods, office hours, and contact information for the clerk's office at 550 Boulevard.

Virginia Vital Records

The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office processes marriage certificate copy requests for Colonial Heights records from 1936 forward. Submit form VS6 along with your ID and the $12 fee.

Mail-in requests typically take a few weeks to process. Check the VDH website for current processing times and accepted payment methods.

Chesterfield County Marriage Records

Colonial Heights was carved out of Chesterfield County in 1948 and incorporated as a city in 1961. Records from before that date are held by Chesterfield County. Visit the Chesterfield County page for older marriage records and related resources.

View Chesterfield County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

These Virginia cities are near Colonial Heights and have their own circuit courts handling marriage records.