Find Marriage Records in Arlington County

Arlington County marriage records are on file at the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 1425 North Courthouse Road. Whether you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate, want to verify a marriage on record, or plan to apply for a new license, this page explains how the process works, who can access these records, and where to go for both current and historical documentation.

Arlington County Circuit Court Clerk

The Arlington County Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the primary source for Arlington County marriage records. The clerk issues marriage licenses, receives completed licenses back from officiants after ceremonies, and maintains the official record of every marriage on file in the county. Staff can help you search for a specific record, request a certified copy, or get information about the license application process.

Arlington is one of the more urban Virginia counties, and its clerk's office handles a large volume of marriage license applications and record requests each year. The office is located inside the courthouse complex at 1425 North Courthouse Road. Licenses are issued Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

The Arlington County Courts website provides detailed information about marriage licensing requirements, fee schedules, and how to request certified copies of records. You can also find the court's hours and contact information there.

Arlington County Marriage License Requirements

Both parties must appear in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office to get a marriage license in Arlington County. You cannot apply online or send someone to apply on your behalf. Each person must present a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. If either person has been married before, you need to provide the date and reason the prior marriage ended, such as a divorce decree or a death certificate.

Under Virginia Code § 20-16, both parties must complete an application that includes their names, ages, and residency information. Virginia law, specifically Code § 20-13, requires a valid license for any legal marriage in the state. The license is good for 60 days from the date of issue. There is no waiting period after you receive the license, so the ceremony can happen the same day if you choose. The minimum age to marry is 18.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the Arlington County Circuit Court Clerk within five days, as required by Virginia Code § 20-20. The clerk then registers the marriage and sends a monthly report to the Virginia Department of Health under Virginia Code § 32.1-267. This is how the marriage ends up in the statewide vital records database.

Arlington County Marriage Certificate Copies

You can request a certified copy of an Arlington County marriage record from two sources. The Circuit Court Clerk's office has records going back to when the county was formed in 1801. The Virginia Department of Health holds marriage records from 1936 to the present.

To request a certified copy from the state, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. The phone number is (804) 662-6200. The office is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can submit requests by mail to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. The fee for a certified copy is $12, as set by Virginia Code § 32.1-273.

Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, certified copies of recent marriage records go only to the couple married, their parents, children, siblings, or grandparents. Records older than 25 years are public and anyone can request them. You will need to show valid ID as specified by the VDH ID requirements page before a certified copy is released.

The Code § 32.1-272 governs the content and legal weight of certified copies. A copy bearing the state seal is accepted as legal proof of marriage by courts and government agencies.

Historical Arlington County Marriage Records

Arlington County was established in 1801 as Alexandria County, carved from Fairfax County. It was renamed Arlington County in 1920. The Library of Virginia holds historical marriage records for Arlington County going back to its formation. Their collections include marriage bonds, registers, and other documentation from the 1800s. These records are open for genealogical research.

The Library of Virginia has digitized many older marriage records and made them available through their online catalog. If you are researching family history in Arlington County or the broader Northern Virginia region, their collections can be a valuable resource. The Library's reading room is open to the public in Richmond.

The Arlington County Circuit Court Clerk's office at 1425 North Courthouse Road handles marriage license applications and maintains official records of all marriages performed in the county.

Searching Arlington County Marriage Records Online

The Arlington County Courts website at courts.arlingtonva.us provides information about the clerk's office, marriage licensing, and how to request records. While the site does not offer a direct search of marriage records online, it includes instructions for in-person and mail requests, along with fee schedules and the forms you may need.

For broader Virginia court record searches, the Virginia Courts system offers online tools. Some case-level information may be accessible through the state court system's public search functions. However, for certified copies of marriage certificates, you must go through the Circuit Court Clerk or the Office of Vital Records.

Virginia's open records law -- the Freedom of Information Act -- applies to government records broadly. For questions about what records are public or how to appeal a denial, the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council can provide guidance.

The Arlington County Courts website is the best starting point for understanding local procedures, fees, and how to request marriage records from the Circuit Court Clerk.

Virginia Department of Health processes certified copy requests for Arlington County marriages and all other Virginia counties for records from 1936 forward.

The state vital records office in Richmond provides a centralized way to request certified copies of marriage certificates from Arlington County and across Virginia.

The Arlington County Government portal at arlingtonva.us links to county services and can direct you to the courts section for marriage license and records information.

Arlington County's main government website connects residents to a wide range of services, including links to the Circuit Court Clerk for marriage-related requests.

Nearby Cities

These Virginia cities are close to Arlington County and may be relevant to your search.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Arlington County. Each county's Circuit Court Clerk maintains its own marriage records.