Find Marriage Records in Carroll County

Carroll County marriage records are maintained at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Hillsville, Virginia. The clerk issues marriage licenses and keeps the official record of every marriage performed in the county. This page explains how to get a certified copy of a Carroll County marriage certificate, how to apply for a license, and where to find historical records going back to the county's formation in 1842.

Carroll County Circuit Court Clerk

The Carroll County Circuit Court Clerk in Hillsville handles all marriage records for the county. The clerk's office is in the Carroll County Courthouse in Hillsville. Staff issue marriage licenses, process returns from officiants after ceremonies, and maintain the complete record of every marriage going back to 1842 when Carroll was established from Grayson County. Marriage indexes for 1853 to 1929 are part of the documented historical collection.

Carroll County is located in the Blue Ridge Highlands of southwest Virginia, near the North Carolina border. The clerk's office is the local source for marriage records and handles license applications for county residents and others who plan to marry in Carroll County.

Visit the Carroll County Government portal for current contact information, office hours, and fee details. Always call ahead before visiting to confirm what you need to bring.

Carroll County Marriage License Process

Both parties must appear together at the Circuit Court Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. Under Virginia Code § 20-13, a valid license is required for every lawful marriage in the state. Each person must show valid government-issued photo ID. Bring documentation of how any prior marriages ended.

The application under Virginia Code § 20-16 asks for full legal names, ages, and addresses. The license is valid for 60 days. There is no waiting period and no residency requirement. The minimum age to marry is 18. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed license to the Carroll County Circuit Court Clerk within five days per Virginia Code § 20-20. The clerk then reports the marriage to the state monthly under Virginia Code § 32.1-267.

Carroll County Marriage Certificate Copies

You can get certified copies from the Circuit Court Clerk in Hillsville or from the Virginia Department of Health. The state holds records from 1936 forward. For marriages before 1936, the local clerk is the source.

To request from the state, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. The address is 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. Phone: (804) 662-6200. Mail: P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The fee is $12 per certified 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: spouses, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents. After 25 years, the record is public. Certified copies under Virginia Code § 32.1-272 carry the state seal and are legally valid.

Historical Carroll County Marriage Records

Carroll County was formed in 1842 from Grayson County. Its county-level marriage records begin at that point. The Library of Virginia holds historical marriage documentation for Carroll County including bonds and registers from the 1800s. Marriage indexes for 1853 to 1929 are part of the documented collection. These are open for public research.

For researchers tracing family lines before 1842, Grayson County records are the next step. The Library of Virginia has materials for both Carroll and Grayson Counties and can help identify which records apply to a specific family. Some historical records from this area have also been transcribed by local genealogical groups in the New River Valley and Blue Ridge regions.

The Carroll County Government portal in Hillsville provides access to county services and contact information for the Circuit Court Clerk, which handles all Carroll County marriage license applications and record requests.

Virginia Vital Records for Carroll County

All Carroll County marriages from 1936 onward are in the state vital records database at the Virginia Department of Health. The state office processes certified copy requests and is an alternative to the local clerk for recent records. Include both spouses' names, the county, and the year in any VDH request. Mail requests take several weeks. In-person visits in Richmond are faster.

Virginia's open records law at Code § 2.2-3704 and the Virginia FOIA Advisory Council govern access rights. The Virginia Courts system provides information about circuit courts statewide, including Carroll County.

The Virginia Department of Health in Richmond processes certified copy requests for Carroll County marriage records from 1936 to the present at the $12 fee established by state statute.

The Library of Virginia holds Carroll County marriage bonds, registers, and historical documentation going back to the county's 1842 formation from Grayson County.

Researchers can access Carroll County historical marriage indexes and registers at the Library of Virginia, covering records from the county's formation through the late 1800s and beyond.

Nearby Cities

These Virginia cities near Carroll County may have additional records resources.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Carroll County in southwest Virginia. Each has its own Circuit Court Clerk handling marriage records.