Accomack County Marriage Records

Accomack County marriage records are kept at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Accomac, Virginia, on the Eastern Shore of the state. You can search these records by visiting the courthouse in person, sending a written request by mail, or contacting the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records for certified copies of marriages from 1936 onward. Whether you need a record for legal reasons, genealogical research, or personal use, the clerk's office can help you find and obtain what you need.

Accomack County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Accomack County is the main place to go for marriage records and marriage licenses. The clerk issues all marriage licenses for the county and keeps records of every marriage performed within its borders. Staff at the office can search their index by the names of both parties and help you get copies. The office is on Virginia's Eastern Shore, which makes it a bit more remote than many Virginia county courthouses, but the staff are used to helping both local residents and out-of-area researchers.

Under Virginia Code § 20-14, the circuit court clerk is the only official who can issue a marriage license in the county. Both people who plan to marry must appear together at the clerk's office with valid photo ID. Virginia does not require you to live in the state or county to get a license here. The license is valid anywhere in Virginia once issued. After the ceremony, the person who performed the marriage must return the completed certificate to the clerk within five days, as required by § 32.1-267. The clerk then records it and sends a monthly report to the state registrar.

The Lower DelMarVa Genealogy Society may also be a useful resource for researchers looking into older Accomack County marriages. Historical records going back to the county's colonial origins are available through the Library of Virginia.

How to Find Accomack County Marriage Records

There are a few ways to get marriage records from Accomack County. The most direct method is visiting the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in person at 23191 Front Street in Accomac. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and know the names of the parties and the approximate year of the marriage. Staff can search the index and make copies for you. Plain copies cost less than certified copies. If you need a certified copy, there is an additional fee per Virginia Code § 32.1-272.

You can also send a written request by mail to the clerk's office. Include the full names of both parties, the year of the marriage, and your reason for the request. Enclose a check or money order for the applicable fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing time by mail is longer than in-person visits, so plan ahead if you need the record quickly.

For marriages in Accomack County from 1936 to the present, the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond also keeps certified copies. You can request these online, by mail, or in person at the Richmond office. The state office requires you to show valid identification and pay a fee per copy. The Virginia courts system at vacourts.gov has contact information for all circuit courts and general guidance on record requests under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

For records before 1936, the clerk's office and the Library of Virginia are your best options. The Library holds microfilm and digital collections covering marriages from the colonial and early American periods in Accomack County.

The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office handles state-level certified copies of Accomack County marriage certificates for events from 1936 onward.

Requests to the state office can be made online, by mail, or in person in Richmond, making it a convenient option for those not near Accomac.

Historical Accomack County Marriage Records

Accomack County has some of the oldest marriage records in Virginia. The county was one of the original eight shires established in 1634, so its records extend far back into the colonial period. The Library of Virginia holds microfilm copies and digital collections covering marriages from the 17th through the 19th century. Researchers working on family history will find Accomack County especially well-documented compared to many Virginia counties that lost records to fire or flood.

The Library of Virginia maintains an extensive archive of Accomack County documents, including marriage bonds, registers, and certificates from its earliest years. These records are open to the public and can be searched using the Library's online catalog and digital collections. Staff at the Library can assist with more complex research requests and can point you toward the right collections.

The Library of Virginia holds historical marriage records for Accomack County that span centuries of documentation.

Whether you need early colonial records or more recent ones, the Library of Virginia is a key resource for Accomack County genealogical research.

Virginia Marriage Laws and Access Rules

Virginia law governs how marriage records are created, stored, and accessed. Under § 20-13, no one can lawfully marry in Virginia without first getting a marriage license from the circuit court clerk. The application process is spelled out in § 20-16, which requires both parties to appear and provide required information. Once the ceremony is done, the officiant files the completed certificate with the clerk under § 20-20.

Access to these records is governed by § 32.1-271 and the broader Virginia Freedom of Information Act, found at § 2.2-3704. Marriage records are generally public in Virginia once they are filed. Fees for certified copies are set under § 32.1-273. The Virginia FOIA Council offers guidance if you have questions about your right to access public records.

Nearby Counties

Accomack County sits on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Northampton County is the only neighboring Virginia county, located to the south on the peninsula.