Search Botetourt County Marriage Records

Botetourt County marriage records are kept at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Fincastle, Virginia. The clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains the official record of all marriages performed in the county, including historical records going back to the colonial era. This page explains how to get a certified copy of a Botetourt County marriage certificate, how to apply for a license, and where historical records are held.

Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk

The Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk maintains all marriage records for the county. The office is located at 21 Academy Street in Fincastle, inside the Botetourt County Courthouse. The clerk issues marriage licenses, processes returns from officiants, and keeps the permanent county record of every marriage. The clerk's office also assists with genealogical research requests for historical records.

Botetourt County was established in 1770, and its marriage records date back to the colonial period. Marriage bonds from 1770 to 1850 are among the documented historical materials. The county covers parts of the Roanoke Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. For anyone researching family history in this part of Virginia, the clerk's office and the Library of Virginia are the two main sources.

Visit the Botetourt County Government portal for additional information about county offices and services. Call (540) 473-8240 to confirm current hours and fee amounts for marriage record requests.

Getting a Marriage License in Botetourt County

Both parties must appear in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. Virginia requires this under Code § 20-13. You each need a valid government-issued photo ID. If either person has been married before, bring proof of how that marriage ended. The license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. There is no waiting period after issuance.

The application under Virginia Code § 20-16 requires full legal names, ages, and residential addresses from both applicants. The minimum age is 18. There is no residency requirement, so out-of-state couples can obtain a license here. Once the license is issued, it belongs to the couple until the ceremony. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk within five days, as required by Virginia Code § 20-20.

The clerk then records the marriage and submits a monthly report to the Virginia Department of Health under Virginia Code § 32.1-267. This creates the official state record that is kept in Richmond alongside the local county record in Fincastle.

Botetourt County Marriage Certificate Copies

Certified copies of Botetourt County marriage records are available from either the Circuit Court Clerk in Fincastle or the Virginia Department of Health in Richmond. The state holds records for marriages from 1936 forward. For marriages before that, you need 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. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. The office is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The fee is $12 per certified copy under Virginia Code § 32.1-273. You must show valid ID as listed on the VDH ID requirements page.

Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, recent marriage records are restricted to immediate family: the couple, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents. After 25 years, records are public and available to anyone. Certified copies under Virginia Code § 32.1-272 are legally valid and carry the state seal.

Historical Botetourt County Marriage Records

With records dating back to 1770, Botetourt County has one of the older sets of county-level marriage documentation in Virginia. Marriage bonds from 1770 to 1850 are preserved and accessible through the Library of Virginia. These bonds were required under Virginia law before a ceremony could take place. They name the prospective groom, the bondholder (often a male relative of the bride), and state the intended marriage.

The Library of Virginia has digitized many of these older records and made them available through their online catalog. For researchers tracing family lines in the Roanoke Valley or Blue Ridge area, Botetourt County records can be especially important, as the county was the parent county for several others including Roanoke, Craig, and Bath. Records from Botetourt may bridge gaps when other county records are incomplete or have been destroyed.

The Library of Virginia's collections include Botetourt County marriage bonds and registers dating back to the county's establishment in 1770, making them a key resource for genealogical research in this part of Virginia.

Virginia Vital Records and Botetourt County

Every marriage in Botetourt County since 1936 is on file with the Virginia Department of Health. The state maintains these records as part of the statewide vital records system. Requesting a certified copy from the state is an alternative to going to the local clerk, especially for people outside the Fincastle area.

When submitting a VDH request, include the names of both spouses, the county, and the approximate year of the marriage. Mail requests take several weeks. In-person visits to the Richmond office are faster. Virginia law at Code § 2.2-3704 and the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council govern your rights to access government records if you have any issues with a request.

The Virginia Department of Health processes certified copy requests for Botetourt County marriage records from 1936 to the present at $12 per copy as established by statute.

The Botetourt County Government portal at botetourtva.gov provides access to county services and contact information for the Circuit Court Clerk's office.

The Botetourt County Government website connects residents and researchers to the clerk's office and other county services for marriage records and license applications.

Nearby Cities

These Virginia cities near Botetourt County may have useful resources for your records search.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Botetourt County. Each maintains its own marriage records at the local Circuit Court Clerk's office.