Norfolk Marriage Records

Norfolk marriage records date to 1797 and are kept by the Norfolk Circuit Court, one of Virginia's oldest independent city courts. If you need to apply for a marriage license, find an old marriage record, or get a certified copy, the circuit court clerk's office is where you go. For records from 1936 forward, the Virginia Department of Health also holds certified copies and accepts mail-in requests from anyone across the state.

Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk

The Norfolk Circuit Court is an independent city court in the 4th Judicial Circuit. The clerk of the circuit court is a constitutional officer who maintains all official marriage records, land records, probate records, and other court filings for the city. Marriage licenses have been issued here since the late 1700s, making this one of Virginia's richest sources for historical marriage documentation.

The clerk's office is at 150 St. Paul's Blvd in downtown Norfolk. Phone is (757) 664-4500. For general court information, you can also check the Virginia Courts portal. The court's address in research records shows 100 St. Paul's Blvd for some departments; calling ahead confirms the exact window for your type of request.

The clerk's office handles marriage license applications, certified copy requests, land records, wills, and other matters that require a circuit court clerk. Marriage records in Norfolk go back to 1797, so this office is especially valuable for family history research and older record requests.

Marriage Licenses in Norfolk

To get a marriage license in Norfolk, both people applying must appear in person at the circuit court clerk's office. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID. Foreign ID is acceptable if it is readable in English. No Virginia residency is required. There is no waiting period. Under Virginia Code Section 20-14, the circuit court clerk issues all marriage licenses in Virginia.

The license fee is $30. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or credit card. The license is valid for 60 calendar days and must be used for a ceremony performed in Virginia. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the clerk's office within five days. The clerk then sends the record to the Virginia Department of Health for central filing.

Certified copies are available from the court clerk after the record is processed. The copy fee from the court is $2.50 per record. VDH certified copies cost $12, as defined under Virginia Code Section 32.1-273. VDH records cover 1936 to the present. For older Norfolk records, the circuit court clerk is the only source.

Getting Certified Copies of Norfolk Marriage Records

You can request certified copies of Norfolk marriage records from two sources: the Norfolk Circuit Court clerk or the Virginia Department of Health. The clerk holds all records from 1797 forward, including very old documents that VDH does not have. VDH has records from 1936 to the present and accepts both walk-in and mail-in requests.

To request from VDH by mail, complete Form VS6 and send it with $12 per copy to: Division of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Include a copy of your photo ID. VDH phone is 804-662-6200. Walk-in requests are handled at 2001 Maywill Street in Richmond.

Under Virginia Code Section 32.1-271, marriage records are restricted for 25 years. After the 25-year mark, they are public records available to anyone. Before the 25 years are up, access is limited to the parties involved, legal heirs, and others with a documented need. Virginia's FOIA statute at Virginia Code Section 2.2-3704 governs broader public record access rights.

For historical research on Norfolk marriages, the Library of Virginia holds indexes, microfilm, and digitized records from many Virginia jurisdictions. Norfolk records going back to the city's incorporation in 1680 are among the richest local collections in the state.

Norfolk Records Resources Online

The Norfolk city government portal provides links to the circuit court and other city offices. The screenshot below shows the city's main web presence, which is the starting point for many local government record requests.

The Norfolk city portal links to the circuit court clerk's page where you can learn more about marriage license services and record requests.

The Virginia Department of Health vital records portal is where residents of Norfolk and all other Virginia cities and counties can request certified marriage records from 1936 onward. The screenshot below shows the VDH page.

Use the VDH portal to submit requests for certified Norfolk marriage certificates. The fee is $12 per copy for records from 1936 to the present.

Norfolk Historical Marriage Records

Norfolk is one of Virginia's oldest cities. The city was incorporated in 1680 and has continuous records dating from the late 1700s. That depth of history makes Norfolk a valuable resource for genealogical research. Marriage records from 1797 are on file with the circuit court clerk. Some older materials, including marriage bonds and minister's returns from earlier periods, may be accessible through the Library of Virginia.

Researchers looking for pre-1936 Norfolk marriage records can contact the circuit court clerk directly. They can also search the Library of Virginia's online catalog for microfilm collections and digitized indexes. Many Norfolk records have been preserved and cataloged as part of the state's archival programs. Divorce records for Norfolk go back to 1833, adding another layer of documentation for family historians.

The vital records statute at Virginia Code Section 32.1-267 explains how the state's records system is structured and who holds custodial responsibility. For records that predate the state system, the circuit court clerk remains the primary custodian.

Nearby Cities

These cities are in the Hampton Roads area near Norfolk. Each handles marriage records through its own independent city circuit court.