Bedford County Marriage Records Lookup

Bedford County marriage records are maintained at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in the town of Bedford. The clerk issues marriage licenses and keeps the official record of every marriage in the county. This page explains how to request certified copies of Bedford County marriage records, how to apply for a marriage license, and how to find historical records going back to the 1700s.

Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk

The Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk maintains all marriage records in the county. The office is in the Bedford County Courthouse at 600 Bedford Avenue in the town of Bedford. The clerk issues marriage licenses, records their return after ceremonies, and stores the complete record of every marriage in the county going back to 1754. Marriage licenses are issued Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Bedford County was formed in 1754 and its records include historical marriage bonds from the 1750s through the 1800s. For genealogical researchers, the clerk's office is the local source, while older records may also be held at the Library of Virginia. The county seat town of Bedford is also known for the National D-Day Memorial.

The Bedford County Government portal has additional information about county services. Marriage bonds from 1755 to 1800 are part of the county's documented historical record and may be available through the Library of Virginia.

Getting a Marriage License in Bedford County

Both parties must come to the Circuit Court Clerk's office in person to get a marriage license. No one can apply for you by mail or online. Each person needs to show valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID. If you were previously married, be ready to show proof of how that marriage ended. A divorce decree or a death certificate works.

Virginia law under Code § 20-13 requires a valid license for a lawful marriage. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. There is no waiting period, so you can hold the ceremony right away if you want. The minimum age to marry is 18. There is no state residency requirement for getting a license in Virginia.

Under Virginia Code § 20-16, both applicants must provide their full names, ages, and home addresses on the application. Once issued, the license is handed to whoever is performing the ceremony. That person must return the completed license to the Bedford County Circuit Court Clerk within five days of the ceremony, per Virginia Code § 20-20. The clerk then submits a monthly report to the Virginia Department of Health as required by Virginia Code § 32.1-267.

Call (540) 586-7952 to confirm the current license fee before you go, as fees can vary among Virginia counties.

Bedford County Marriage Certificate Copies

If you need a certified copy of a Bedford County marriage record, you have two options. You can request it from the Circuit Court Clerk in Bedford, or you can request it from the Virginia Department of Health. The state office handles records from 1936 forward. For marriages that took place before 1936, go to the clerk's office.

To request from the state, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Phone: (804) 662-6200. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. The fee per certified copy is $12 under Virginia Code § 32.1-273. Bring or include valid ID -- see VDH ID requirements for a list of accepted documents.

Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, only the people named on the record or their immediate family can get a certified copy of a recent marriage record. Immediate family includes spouses, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents. After 25 years, the record is public and anyone can request a copy. Certified copies under Virginia Code § 32.1-272 carry the state seal and are legally valid proof of the marriage.

Historical Bedford County Marriage Records

Bedford County has marriage records going back to its founding in 1754. Marriage bonds from 1755 to 1800 are documented and many are available at the Library of Virginia. These bonds were required before a ceremony could take place. They include the names of the couple, the bondholder, and the approximate date. They are a valuable source for anyone tracing family lines in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge area of Virginia.

The Library of Virginia's digitized collections include many Bedford County marriage records from the 1800s. You can search their catalog online and request copies of specific documents. Their reading room is open to researchers in Richmond. Staff can help you identify what is available and how to access older court records that predate the state vital records system.

The Library of Virginia maintains Bedford County marriage bonds and registers from the colonial period through the late 1800s, including documentation going back to the county's formation in 1754.

Virginia Vital Records and Bedford County

Since 1936, all Virginia marriages have been reported to the state. The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records holds a copy of every marriage registered in Bedford County from 1936 to the present. This means you can request a certified copy either locally or through Richmond for recent records.

When submitting a request to VDH, include both parties' full names, the year and county of the marriage, and your contact information. Mail requests take several weeks. If you need the record faster, an in-person visit to the Richmond office is quicker. For records requests and appeals related to access rights, Virginia's open records law at Virginia Code § 2.2-3704 and the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council are useful resources.

The Virginia Department of Health in Richmond processes certified copy requests for Bedford County marriage records from 1936 to the present at a fee of $12 per copy.

Nearby Cities

These Virginia cities near Bedford County offer additional services and resources.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bedford County. Marriage records in each county are kept at the local Circuit Court Clerk's office.