Augusta County Marriage Records Search

Augusta County marriage records are maintained at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Staunton, Virginia. The county has one of the oldest sets of marriage documentation in Virginia, with records going back to the colonial period. This page covers how to search and obtain Augusta County marriage records, how to apply for a new marriage license, and where to find historical documentation for genealogical research.

Augusta County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk in Staunton is the official custodian of all Augusta County marriage records. The clerk's office issues marriage licenses, receives completed licenses from officiants after ceremonies, and keeps the permanent record of every marriage performed in the county. The office is located in the Augusta County Courthouse at 1 East Johnson Street in Staunton.

Augusta County was formed in 1738, making it one of Virginia's older counties. Its marriage records span a long period and are valuable for genealogical research. The clerk maintains records going back to the county's founding and can assist with both current record requests and historical research. For marriages since 1936, the state Office of Vital Records holds duplicate records as well.

You can also find general county information at the Augusta County Government website. If you plan to visit in person, call ahead to confirm hours and the current fee for certified copies.

Getting a Marriage License in Augusta County

Both parties must appear in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. You each need a valid government-issued photo ID. Virginia has no waiting period after the license is issued, and the license remains valid for 60 days. If you do not use it within that time, you must apply for a new one. Virginia does not require premarital counseling or blood tests.

Under Virginia Code § 20-13, a valid marriage license is required for a lawful marriage in Virginia. The minimum age is 18. There is no residency requirement, so couples from outside Virginia can get a license here. The application process under Virginia Code § 20-16 requires both parties to provide their full legal names, ages, and residential information. If either person has been married before, you must also provide the date and manner in which that marriage ended.

After the ceremony, the person who performed it must return the completed and signed license to the Augusta County Circuit Court Clerk within five days. This is required by Virginia Code § 20-20. The clerk registers the marriage and forwards a report to the state under Virginia Code § 32.1-267.

Augusta County Marriage Certificate Copies

There are two main ways to get a certified copy of an Augusta County marriage record. You can request it from the Circuit Court Clerk in Staunton, or you can request it from the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. The state office has records from 1936 forward. For marriages before that, you need to contact the clerk directly.

To request from the state, write to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records at P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000, or visit in person at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. The phone is (804) 662-6200. The office is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The fee for a certified copy is $12 per copy under Virginia Code § 32.1-273.

Certified copies go to the people named on the record and their immediate family: spouses, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents. This is governed by Virginia Code § 32.1-271. After 25 years, marriage records become public under that same statute, so anyone can request a copy. Bring valid ID when you visit in person. The VDH ID requirements page lists what forms of identification are accepted.

Certified copies under Virginia Code § 32.1-272 carry the state seal and are accepted as legal documentation by courts, banks, and government agencies.

Historical Augusta County Marriage Records

Augusta County has some of the oldest marriage records in Virginia. The county was established in 1738, and its marriage bonds and registers go back to the colonial period. The Library of Virginia holds a substantial collection of these early records, including marriage bonds from the 1700s and marriage registers from the 1800s. These are open for genealogical research and many have been digitized.

Early Virginia marriage law required couples to obtain a marriage bond before the ceremony. A bondholder -- often the bride's father or another male relative -- guaranteed that there was no legal barrier to the marriage. These bonds were kept by the county clerk and are now held at the Library of Virginia for many older counties including Augusta. They contain names, dates, and the names of bondsmen, making them useful for family history research.

The Library of Virginia maintains Augusta County marriage bonds and registers dating back to the colonial period, including some of the oldest marriage documentation in the state.

State Vital Records for Augusta County Marriages

Since 1936, all Virginia counties including Augusta have been reporting marriages to the state. The Virginia Department of Health maintains these records and can provide certified copies. If the marriage you are searching for happened after 1936, VDH is a reliable second source in addition to the clerk's office.

When you submit a request to VDH, include the full names of both spouses, the county where the marriage took place, and the approximate year. Requests processed by mail take several weeks. In-person visits at the Richmond office are faster but require travel. The Code of Virginia under § 32.1-267 requires that officiants file their returns promptly so the state record is kept up to date.

The Virginia Department of Health processes certified copy requests for Augusta County marriage records for events from 1936 to the present, with the $12 fee set by state statute.

Nearby Cities

These Virginia cities near Augusta County may have additional resources for your records search.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Augusta County. Each has its own Circuit Court Clerk office for marriage records.