Search Franklin County Marriage Records
Franklin County marriage records are held at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Rocky Mount, Virginia. The clerk issues all marriage licenses and maintains every marriage record for the county. You can search Franklin County marriage records by visiting the courthouse at 365 Pell Avenue or by requesting certified copies through the Virginia Department of Health for marriages from 1936 onward. Franklin County records go back to 1785 when the county was formed from Bedford and Henry Counties.
Franklin County Overview
Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk
The Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Rocky Mount handles all marriage licensing and record keeping for the county. The office is located in the Franklin County Courthouse at 365 Pell Avenue. Staff can search Franklin County marriage records by name or by the year the license was issued. Certified copies are available for a fee and carry the court seal needed for legal purposes.
Virginia law under § 20-14 of the Code of Virginia designates the circuit court clerk as the sole authority to issue marriage licenses in each county. Both parties must appear in person. There is no waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed certificate to the clerk within five days per § 32.1-267. The clerk files the certificate and sends monthly reports to the state, so each Franklin County marriage record appears in both local and state systems.
| Office | Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 365 Pell Avenue Rocky Mount, VA 24151 |
| Phone | (540) 484-0292 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | franklincountyva.gov |
How to Get Franklin County Marriage Records
Visiting the clerk's office at 365 Pell Avenue in Rocky Mount is the most direct way to get Franklin County marriage records. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties. The clerk can search and make copies while you wait. Call (540) 484-0292 ahead of time to check fees and confirm office hours. Certified copies are what you need for legal matters like name changes or benefits paperwork.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write to the Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk at 365 Pell Avenue, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Include both party names, the approximate year, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope. Expect a few weeks for processing. For marriages from 1936 forward, the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records keeps state copies. The state office is at 8701 Park Central Drive Suite 100 in Richmond. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or in person. You need valid identification and the $12 fee per copy.
The Franklin County Government Portal has details about the clerk's office and other county services.
Use the county portal to find the latest information on fees and procedures before visiting the courthouse.
Franklin County Marriage License Application
Both people must go to the Franklin County Courthouse in Rocky Mount together to apply for a marriage license. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID. The application under § 20-16 of the Code of Virginia asks for your full legal name, date and place of birth, current address, and Social Security number. You also need to state your prior marital history and how any previous marriages ended.
Both parties must be 18 or older. There is no waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days from the date the clerk issues it. If the wedding does not happen before then, you have to apply again. The fee for the license varies by county; call (540) 484-0292 for the current amount. After the ceremony, the officiant fills in the certificate and returns it to the clerk. That becomes the official Franklin County marriage record.
Note: Virginia law under § 20-13 requires a license before any marriage ceremony can take place in the Commonwealth.
Historical Marriage Records in Franklin County
Franklin County has kept marriage records since 1785 when it was created from Bedford and Henry Counties. Early records include registers, bond books, and marriage certificates from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Many of these older documents are held at the courthouse in Rocky Mount and at the Library of Virginia in Richmond. The Library maintains microfilm and digitized collections of Franklin County marriage records and assists researchers with genealogical requests. The Library is at 800 E. Broad Street in Richmond; call (804) 692-3500 for assistance.
The Library of Virginia holds historical Franklin County marriage records dating back to the 18th century.
The Library's collections are searchable online and in person at the Richmond reading room.
Genealogy databases like FamilySearch have indexed some Franklin County marriage records, especially from the 19th century. Those free databases are a good starting point before paying for certified copies.
State-Level Franklin County Records
The Virginia Department of Health maintains certified copies of all Franklin County marriage certificates from 1936 onward. The state office is in Richmond and accepts requests online, by mail to P.O. Box 1000 Richmond VA 23218-1000, or in person. The fee is $12 per copy. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone is 804-662-6200.
Under § 32.1-271, marriage records that are 25 years old or older are generally public. More recent records are restricted to immediate family members. Copy fees are set under § 32.1-272 and § 32.1-273. The Virginia courts website has contact details for the Franklin County clerk's office.
The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office holds state copies of Franklin County marriage records from 1936 forward.
The state office can process mail and online requests from anywhere in the country.
Nearby Cities
Franklin County is in Southwest Virginia near Roanoke and other independent cities.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County borders several Southwest Virginia counties. If you are not sure which county issued a license, check where the parties lived at the time of the marriage.