Find Marriage Records in Williamsburg
Williamsburg marriage records are held by the Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court, which serves both the independent city of Williamsburg and James City County. The clerk's office at 5201 Monticello Avenue handles marriage licenses, certified copies, land records, and probate matters for both jurisdictions. Williamsburg has one of the richest genealogical record collections in Virginia due to its long history as the colonial capital. The Virginia Department of Health also holds statewide marriage records from 1936 onward.
Williamsburg Overview
Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court
Williamsburg is an independent city that shares its circuit court with James City County. This shared court is formally called the Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court. The clerk's office is at 5201 Monticello Avenue, Suite 4, in Williamsburg. Phone is (757) 564-2242. The court handles all marriage licenses, land records, probate matters, civil cases, and criminal cases for both the city and the county.
For court information and resources, visit the James City County Circuit Court page or search the Virginia Courts portal for Williamsburg. The Virginia Courts portal lets you look up case information online for Williamsburg and James City County as well as all other Virginia courts. This is a good first step before requesting a certified copy.
| Office | Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 5201 Monticello Avenue, Suite 4 Williamsburg, VA 23188 |
| Phone | (757) 564-2242 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, regular business hours |
Because Williamsburg and James City County share this court, marriage records for both jurisdictions are in the same system. If you are researching a marriage that may have been licensed in either jurisdiction, the clerk's staff can search across both. Records are also accessible in part through the Library of Virginia, which holds significant historical materials from the Williamsburg area.
Marriage Licenses in Williamsburg
Both people applying must appear in person at the Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court. Each applicant needs a valid government-issued photo ID. No Virginia residency is required, and there is no waiting period. Under Virginia Code Section 20-14, the circuit court clerk is the only official authorized to issue marriage licenses in Virginia.
The fee is $30. The license is valid for 60 calendar days and must be used for a ceremony in Virginia. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the clerk within five days. The clerk sends the record to the Virginia Department of Health. Certified copies from the court typically cost $2.50 each. VDH charges $12 per certified copy for records from 1936 to the present, as specified under Virginia Code Section 32.1-273.
Williamsburg draws many visitors and students, and the area sees a fair number of destination weddings due to its setting. Couples from outside Virginia can apply at the Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court just like any other applicant. No residency is required, and the process is the same regardless of where the parties are from.
Note: The circuit court clerk does not perform wedding ceremonies. Arrange for a licensed officiant before or after you pick up your license at the courthouse.
Certified Copy Requests for Williamsburg Marriage Records
To get a certified copy of a Williamsburg marriage record, you can visit the circuit court clerk in person or submit a mail request. For marriages from 1936 to the present, VDH is also available. The circuit court holds all records for marriages licensed in Williamsburg and James City County. VDH holds records for all Virginia marriages from 1936 forward.
For the circuit court, visit 5201 Monticello Avenue, Suite 4, during business hours or call (757) 564-2242 to ask about mail-in procedures. Bring photo ID and payment. Staff can search by party names and approximate date.
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. Walk-in service is 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. Older records are public under Virginia FOIA at Virginia Code Section 2.2-3704.
Williamsburg Marriage Records Online
The Williamsburg city government portal provides general information about the city and its services. The screenshot below shows the city's main web portal.
From the Williamsburg portal, you can find links to the circuit court clerk's office and other local government contacts relevant to marriage license and records services.
The Virginia Department of Health vital records office serves Williamsburg residents and all Virginians for statewide marriage record requests from 1936 forward. The VDH screenshot is shown below.
VDH certified copies cost $12 per record and can be ordered by mail or walk-in at 2001 Maywill Street in Richmond.
Williamsburg Historical Marriage Records
Williamsburg served as the colonial capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1780, giving the area one of the oldest and most complete sets of local records in the United States. Marriage records and related documentation from the Williamsburg area go back to the 17th century. The Library of Virginia holds extensive materials from James City County and Williamsburg, including marriage bonds, minister's returns, church records, and other documents that predate the modern license system by centuries.
For genealogical researchers, Williamsburg is a particularly rich area. Records from the colonial era include church registers from Bruton Parish Church, county court records, and other documentation that tracked marriages and family relationships in early Virginia. The Library of Virginia can help you search these older materials, and staff can guide you through the different record formats used in different periods.
The circuit court clerk's office also holds older records for James City County and Williamsburg that can support genealogical research. Call (757) 564-2242 to ask about older record availability and search procedures for historical requests.
James City County Marriage Records
Williamsburg shares its circuit court with James City County. Marriage records for both jurisdictions are held at the same clerk's office. For more details on James City County's records system, visit the county page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Williamsburg on the Virginia Peninsula. Each has its own circuit court or shared county court for marriage records.