Giles County Marriage Records Lookup
Giles County marriage records are kept at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Pearisburg, Virginia. The clerk issues all marriage licenses and maintains the official record of every marriage performed in the county. You can get Giles County marriage records at the courthouse at 1 Taylor Avenue or request certified copies through the Virginia Department of Health for marriages from 1936 onward. County records date back to 1806 when Giles was formed from Monroe, Montgomery, and Tazewell Counties.
Giles County Overview
Giles County Circuit Court Clerk
The Giles County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 1 Taylor Avenue in Pearisburg is where all marriage records for the county are kept. Staff issue licenses and maintain an indexed record of every marriage performed in Giles County. You can search 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 matters. Call (540) 235-3135 ahead of your visit to confirm hours and fees.
Virginia law under § 20-14 of the Code of Virginia makes the circuit court clerk the sole authority for issuing marriage licenses. Both parties must appear in person. There is no waiting period in Virginia. The license stays valid for 60 days. Under § 32.1-267, the officiant must return the completed marriage certificate to the clerk within five days of the ceremony. The clerk files the certificate and sends a monthly report to the state. This is how each Giles County marriage record ends up in both local and state systems.
| Office | Giles County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Taylor Avenue Pearisburg, VA 24134 |
| Phone | (540) 235-3135 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | vacourts.gov |
How to Access Giles County Marriage Records
Visiting the clerk's office at 1 Taylor Avenue in Pearisburg is the direct approach. Bring photo ID and the names of both parties. The clerk can search and make certified copies for you. Mail requests also work. Send a written request to the clerk with both party names, the approximate year of the marriage, and a check or money order for the copy fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing takes a few weeks in most cases.
For marriages from 1936 forward, you can also request copies from the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond. The state office accepts requests online, by mail, or in person. The fee is $12 per certified copy. You must provide valid identification. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Phone is 804-662-6200. Virginia's open records law is covered under § 2.2-3704, and the Virginia FOIA Council can answer questions about access rights.
The Library of Virginia holds historical Giles County marriage records from the 19th century onward.
Use the Library's online catalog at lva.virginia.gov to search their collections before your visit to Richmond.
Giles County Marriage License Application
Both people must go to the Giles County Courthouse in Pearisburg together to apply for a marriage license. Each must bring valid government-issued photo ID. The application under § 20-16 asks for your full legal name, date of birth, birthplace, current address, and Social Security number. You also need to provide your marital history and state how any prior marriages ended.
Both parties must be 18 or older. Virginia eliminated the ability to marry under 18. There is no blood test and no waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days. If the wedding does not happen within that period, you need to start over. After the ceremony, the officiant completes the certificate and sends it to the clerk. That document is the permanent Giles County marriage record. Call (540) 235-3135 for the current license fee before your visit.
Note: Virginia law under § 20-13 requires a marriage license before any ceremony. No license means the marriage is not legally valid in Virginia.
Historical Marriage Records in Giles County
Giles County has kept marriage records since it was formed in 1806. Early records include registers and bond books from the 19th century. Many of these older Giles County marriage records are held at the courthouse in Pearisburg and at the Library of Virginia in Richmond. The Library maintains microfilm and digital collections from many Virginia counties, including Giles. Researchers can visit the Library at 800 E. Broad Street in Richmond or search the catalog online. Staff can help with genealogical requests.
Genealogy databases like FamilySearch have indexed some older Giles County marriage records. Those free resources can help narrow down dates before you request official copies from the courthouse or state office.
State-Level Giles County Records
The Virginia Department of Health keeps certified copies of all Giles County marriage certificates from 1936 onward. The state Office of Vital Records in Richmond processes requests online, by mail, or in person. The fee is $12 per copy. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 8701 Park Central Drive Suite 100, Richmond. Mail goes to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Phone is 804-662-6200.
Access rules under § 32.1-271 make records 25 years old or older generally public. More recent records are restricted to immediate family. Copy fees are set under § 32.1-272 and § 32.1-273. The Virginia courts website has contact information for the Giles County clerk.
The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office holds certified copies of Giles County marriage records from 1936 forward.
The state office can handle mail, online, and in-person requests.
Nearby Cities
Giles County is in Southwest Virginia in the New River Valley area.
Nearby Counties
Giles County borders several Southwest Virginia counties. If you need to check which county holds a record, look at where the parties lived at the time of the marriage.