Fredericksburg Marriage Records
Fredericksburg marriage records go back to 1722, making this one of the oldest marriage record archives in Virginia. The Fredericksburg Circuit Court Clerk maintains current marriage licenses and certificates. For marriages from 1936 forward, certified copies are available from the Virginia Department of Health. Historical records from 1722 to 1850 for Fredericksburg and surrounding counties are also accessible through the clerk's office at P.O. Box 4, Fredericksburg, VA.
Fredericksburg Overview
Fredericksburg Circuit Court Clerk
The Fredericksburg Circuit Court Clerk handles all marriage records for the city. The office maintains marriage licenses and certificates from the city's establishment through the present. The clerk's website is at fredericksburgva.gov. For written requests, the mailing address is P.O. Box 4, Fredericksburg, VA. The Virginia Courts directory at vacourts.gov has current phone numbers and addresses for the clerk's office.
Fredericksburg is an independent city with its own full circuit court separate from the surrounding counties of Spotsylvania and Stafford. The clerk is elected and serves as the constitutional officer responsible for recording all vital records in the city. In addition to marriage licenses, the office handles deed recordings, court filings, and probate matters. The record room at the courthouse is open to the public during business hours. Call ahead to confirm hours and what ID or documentation to bring.
| Office | Fredericksburg Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 4 Fredericksburg, VA |
| Clerk Website | fredericksburgva.gov/279 |
| Virginia Courts | vacourts.gov |
Getting a Marriage License in Fredericksburg
To get a marriage license in Fredericksburg, both parties must go to the circuit court clerk's office in person. Each person needs a valid 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. Virginia sets the minimum age to marry at 18. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, the clerk issues all marriage 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 the license and returns it to the clerk. The clerk records the marriage and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health as required under Virginia Code § 32.1-267. There is no Virginia residency requirement to get married in the state. Any couple can apply at the Fredericksburg clerk's office regardless of where they live. Call ahead to confirm the current license fee and whether walk-ins are accepted.
Certified Copies of Fredericksburg Marriage Records
For marriages from 1936 onward, the Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office issues certified copies for $12 per record under Virginia Code § 32.1-273. Fill out form VS6 and send it with a photo ID copy and payment to VDH at 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23230. Online requests are accepted as well.
For marriages before 1936, contact the Fredericksburg Circuit Court Clerk. The clerk holds records going back to the city's founding and can direct you to the right collection for historical research. If you need records from 1722 to 1850 for Fredericksburg and the surrounding region, these have been compiled in published volumes and are available through the clerk's office. Contact the clerk at P.O. Box 4, Fredericksburg, VA to ask about availability and cost.
Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, marriage records are restricted for 25 years. Records older than 25 years are open to the public. Records less than 25 years old can only be accessed by the named parties, their immediate family, or people with a documented legal need.
Fredericksburg Historical Marriage Records
Fredericksburg has one of the oldest marriage record collections in Virginia. Marriage Records of the City of Fredericksburg and Orange, Spotsylvania, and Stafford Counties from 1722 to 1850 have been compiled in published volumes. These records are available from the Clerk of Circuit Court at P.O. Box 4, Fredericksburg, VA. They are useful for genealogical research into early colonial Virginia families. Probate records from the same period are also available through the clerk.
The Library of Virginia holds older Virginia marriage records as well, including many from the Fredericksburg area. Their online catalog has a searchable index that can help identify specific records before you order copies. FamilySearch and other genealogical databases may also have indexed marriages from Fredericksburg and the surrounding counties. Use these to narrow down a date before submitting a formal request.
The city's position along the Rappahannock River made it an important early settlement, and its records reflect that long history. Families with roots in Northern Virginia or the Northern Neck region often find relevant marriage records in the Fredericksburg archive. The clerk's staff can assist with research visits during regular business hours.
Note: Marriage records for the Spotsylvania and Stafford County area may also be found in the Fredericksburg historical collection since the city served as the regional center for a large area during the colonial period.
Fredericksburg City Resources
The Fredericksburg city government portal includes links to the Circuit Court Clerk's office, court services, and other city resources related to marriage records and vital records access.
The site provides current contact information for the clerk's office and can help you confirm hours before you make the trip to the courthouse.
Virginia Vital Records
The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records portal handles certified copy requests for Fredericksburg marriages from 1936 onward. Submit form VS6 with your ID and the $12 fee to receive a certified copy.
Mail-in requests are processed at the Richmond VDH office. For faster turnaround, online requests through the VDH portal may be the better option.
Virginia Marriage Laws
Fredericksburg marriage records follow Virginia state law. Virginia Code § 20-14 covers license issuance. Virginia Code § 32.1-267 covers state registration. The 25-year public access restriction is in Virginia Code § 32.1-271. The $12 fee cap is in Virginia Code § 32.1-273. For FOIA questions, the Virginia FOIA Council provides guidance under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704.
Spotsylvania County Marriage Records
Fredericksburg is surrounded by Spotsylvania and Stafford counties. Residents of those counties handle their records through their own circuit courts. Visit the Spotsylvania County page for marriage records from the broader Fredericksburg area.
Nearby Cities
These Virginia cities are near Fredericksburg and have their own circuit court resources for marriage records.