Staunton Marriage Records

Staunton marriage records are held by the Augusta County Circuit Court, which serves this independent city in the Shenandoah Valley. Despite being an independent city, Staunton uses the Augusta County court for marriage licenses and related records. The clerk's office in Staunton handles applications, certified copy requests, and record searches. The Virginia Department of Health also holds statewide marriage records from 1936 onward and accepts mail-in requests for certified copies.

Augusta County Circuit Court in Staunton

Staunton is an independent city that shares its circuit court with Augusta County. The Augusta County Circuit Court is located in Staunton and serves both the city and the county. The clerk's office maintains marriage records, land records, wills, and other official court documents for both jurisdictions. Marriage records for Augusta County are available from the clerk's office, and older records from as far back as 1748 have been compiled and published in volumes accessible through the Library of Virginia.

The court address is 113 E Beverly Street in Staunton. Phone is (540) 332-3874. For general court information, the Augusta County Circuit Court website has contact details and service descriptions. The mailing address for records requests is P.O. Box 689, Staunton, VA 24402-0689.

Staunton and Waynesboro both share this same circuit court with Augusta County, making it one of the few courts in Virginia that serves three separate jurisdictions. Records for all three are held in the same system. If you are not sure whether a record is filed under Staunton or Augusta County, the clerk's staff can help you search across both sets of records.

Marriage Licenses in Staunton

Both people applying must appear in person at the Augusta County Circuit Court clerk's office in Staunton. Each applicant needs a valid government-issued photo ID. No Virginia residency is required, and there is no waiting period before the ceremony. Under Virginia Code Section 20-14, the circuit court clerk is the only official authorized to issue marriage licenses in Virginia.

The license fee is $30. The license is valid for 60 calendar days from the date of issue. The ceremony must take place in Virginia. After the wedding, the officiant must return the completed license to the clerk within five days. The clerk then sends the record to the Virginia Department of Health. Unused or expired licenses must be returned to the clerk's office. Certified copies from the court typically cost $2.50 each. VDH charges $12 per certified copy for records from 1936 onward, as set under Virginia Code Section 32.1-273.

Requesting Certified Copies of Staunton Marriage Records

To get a certified copy of a Staunton marriage record, you can go through the Augusta County Circuit Court clerk or the Virginia Department of Health. The circuit court holds records for marriages licensed in Staunton and the surrounding Augusta County area. VDH holds records for all Virginia marriages from 1936 forward.

For the circuit court, send a mail request to P.O. Box 689, Staunton, VA 24402-0689, or visit the clerk in person at 113 E Beverly Street. Include the names of both parties, the approximate year of marriage, and your contact information. Call (540) 332-3874 to confirm current fees before submitting. For very old records, especially Augusta County marriages from 1748 to 1850, published and compiled volumes may be the easiest route for genealogical research.

For VDH, complete Form VS6 and mail 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. Walk-in service is available at 2001 Maywill Street in Richmond. VDH phone is 804-662-6200. Under Virginia Code Section 32.1-271, records within 25 years are restricted. After that they are public under Virginia FOIA rules in Virginia Code Section 2.2-3704.

Virginia Vital Records for Staunton Marriages

The Virginia Department of Health is the central state repository for all Virginia marriage records from 1936 onward. The screenshot below shows the VDH vital records page where you can start a certified copy request.

Staunton residents can request VDH certified copies for $12 per record by mail or in person at the Richmond office at 2001 Maywill Street.

Augusta County and Staunton Historical Marriage Records

Augusta County has one of the oldest and most documented local record collections in Virginia. Marriage records for the Augusta County area go back to 1748, and compiled volumes of marriages from 1748 to 1850 have been published and are available through the Library of Virginia. Researchers doing genealogical work in the Staunton area should start with those compiled volumes, which organize early marriage bonds and minister's returns into searchable form.

The Library of Virginia holds microfilm and digital materials from Augusta County and Staunton going back to the colonial period. Their online catalog lets you search available holdings by locality, and staff can help with research requests by mail or in person. Staunton has been the county seat of Augusta County since the 18th century, so most of the old records are concentrated in or around the courthouse that still stands today.

For marriages from the 19th century through the early 20th century, the Augusta County Circuit Court clerk's office is the best direct source. The clerk can provide copies of older marriage records and help you navigate the different formats those records take over time, including old marriage bonds, minister's returns, and later marriage license forms.

Augusta County Marriage Records

Staunton shares its circuit court with Augusta County and Waynesboro. Marriage records for all three jurisdictions are held at the same clerk's office. For more detail on the Augusta County records system, visit the county page.

View Augusta County Marriage Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Staunton in the Shenandoah Valley and central Virginia. Each uses a circuit court for marriage records.