Caroline County Marriage Records

Caroline County marriage records are on file at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Bowling Green, Virginia. The clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains the official record of every marriage performed in the county. This page covers how to get a certified copy of a Caroline County marriage certificate, what is required to apply for a license, and how to access historical records going back to the colonial period.

Caroline County Circuit Court Clerk

The Caroline County Circuit Court Clerk in Bowling Green handles all marriage licensing and records for the county. The clerk's office is in the Caroline County Courthouse in Bowling Green. Staff issue marriage licenses, receive returns from officiants after ceremonies, and maintain the full record of every marriage going back to the county's establishment in 1728 from Essex, King and Queen, and King William Counties.

Caroline County is located in the northern Piedmont between Richmond and Fredericksburg. The clerk's office is the local source for both recent and historical marriage records. Because the county dates to 1728, its records include significant colonial-era documentation. Families with deep roots in the region will often find generations of marriage records here.

The Caroline County Government website provides contact details for the clerk's office. Call before visiting to confirm current hours and the fee for certified copies of marriage records.

Caroline County Marriage License Requirements

Both parties must appear in person at the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Virginia law at Code § 20-13 requires a valid license for every lawful marriage. You each need valid government-issued photo ID. If you have been married before, bring documentation of how that marriage ended.

The application under Virginia Code § 20-16 collects both parties' full names, ages, and addresses. The license is valid for 60 days. There is no waiting period. The minimum age is 18. Out-of-state couples can get a license in Caroline County. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the clerk within five days per Virginia Code § 20-20. The clerk then reports the marriage to the state each month under Virginia Code § 32.1-267.

Caroline County Marriage Certificate Copies

Certified copies are available from the Circuit Court Clerk in Bowling Green or from the Virginia Department of Health in Richmond. The state holds records from 1936 forward. For earlier marriages, go to the local clerk.

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: P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The fee is $12 per copy under Virginia Code § 32.1-273. Show valid ID per VDH requirements.

Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, certified copies of recent records go only to the parties named and their immediate family. After 25 years, records are public. Certified copies under Virginia Code § 32.1-272 carry the state seal and are legally valid proof of marriage.

Historical Caroline County Marriage Records

Caroline County has colonial-era marriage records dating back to 1728. These older records are held at the Library of Virginia in Richmond. Their collections include marriage bonds, registers, and other documentation from the 1700s and 1800s. These materials are open for genealogical research and many have been digitized.

Because Caroline County was formed from three parent counties -- Essex, King and Queen, and King William -- families tracing their roots before 1728 may also need to search those counties' records. The Library of Virginia can help identify where specific family documentation might be found. Their reference staff are available by phone, email, or in person in Richmond.

The Library of Virginia's online catalog at lva.virginia.gov allows researchers to search by county and record type. Many Caroline County marriage documents are accessible through that system. For records that predate digitization, requesting copies from the Library's collections may require a mail or in-person request.

The Caroline County Government site provides contact details for the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Bowling Green, the official source for Caroline County marriage license applications and record requests.

Virginia Vital Records and Caroline County

All Caroline County marriages since 1936 are on file with the state. The Virginia Department of Health in Richmond holds these records and processes certified copy requests. Whether you go to the local clerk or the state office depends on convenience and what year the marriage took place.

For access questions, Virginia's FOIA framework at Code § 2.2-3704 and resources from the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council apply. The Virginia Courts system provides general information about circuit courts in the state, including the Caroline County Circuit Court in Bowling Green.

The Virginia Department of Health processes certified copy requests for Caroline County marriage records from 1936 to the present at the $12 fee set by Virginia statute.

The Library of Virginia holds extensive historical marriage records for Caroline County and the predecessor counties from which it was formed in 1728.

Genealogical researchers can access Caroline County colonial-era and 19th century marriage bonds and registers through the Library of Virginia's collections in Richmond.

Nearby Cities

These Virginia cities near Caroline County may offer additional records resources.

Nearby Counties

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