Search Hanover County Marriage Records

Hanover County marriage records are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk in Hanover Courthouse, Virginia. The clerk handles marriage license applications, keeps records of all marriages performed in the county, and provides certified copies for legal purposes. Hanover County has colonial-era records that make it valuable for genealogical research across multiple generations.

Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk

The Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk's Office handles all marriage records in the county. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, the clerk is the only official authorized to issue marriage licenses in Hanover County. The office is located at the Hanover County Courthouse in Hanover Courthouse, Virginia. Staff can assist with license applications, certified copy requests, and record searches.

Hanover County was established in 1721 from New Kent County. That means the marriage record collection here spans more than 300 years, including significant colonial-era documentation. The clerk indexes marriages by the names of both parties, so you can search for a record using either spouse's name. This makes it easier to find records even when you know only one party's details.

The Hanover County Government website has contact details for the circuit court clerk. Check there for current phone numbers and hours before you make a trip to the courthouse.

Find Hanover County Marriage Records

There are two main places to get certified copies of Hanover County marriage records: the local circuit court clerk and the Virginia Department of Health. The clerk handles all records from the county's founding forward. The VDH covers marriages from 1936 to the present from their Richmond office.

To request a certified copy from the Virginia Department of Health, you can apply online through their portal, send a mail-in request, or visit in person. The VDH office is at 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227, and accepts walk-ins from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The phone number is 804-662-6200. Each certified copy costs $12 and can be paid by check, money order, card, or cash at the walk-in office.

Under § 32.1-271, marriage records less than 25 years old are restricted to immediate family members: spouses, parents, children, siblings, and grandparents. Records older than 25 years become public information and are available to anyone.

Mail requests go to: VDH Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Include a signed application, a legible copy of your ID, and a $12 payment. Drop-offs at the Richmond office work the same way; those received after 2:00 PM count as received the next business day.

Historical Hanover County Marriage Records

Hanover County's records reach back into the colonial period. The county's record set includes marriage bonds and registers from the 18th century that are particularly useful for tracing family lines in central Virginia. Many of these early records have survived intact and are accessible through the Library of Virginia.

The Library of Virginia maintains extensive collections for Hanover County, including microfilm records and digital databases. The Library's online catalog allows you to search for specific records before visiting in person. Colonial-era marriage records from Hanover County are among the collections held there, covering marriages from the 1700s and early 1800s.

Under Virginia law, marriage records become public after 25 years. The State Registrar transfers records that have reached this threshold to the Library of Virginia for long-term preservation and public access. The Library seeks to make these records searchable through online genealogical databases as well.

The Virginia Courts website at vacourts.gov can help you find the most current contact information for the Hanover County Circuit Court Clerk if you want to reach the local office directly.

Applying for a Marriage License in Hanover County

Both people getting married must appear in person at the Hanover County clerk's office to apply for a license. This is a firm requirement under § 20-16 of the Virginia Code. You will each need to provide information under oath, including your full legal name, date of birth, current address, and details about any prior marriages.

Virginia has no residency requirement for marriage. You don't have to live in Hanover County or even in Virginia to get a license there. Both parties just need to appear together at the clerk's office with valid photo identification. Under § 20-13, every marriage in Virginia must be licensed and solemnized according to state law.

After the wedding ceremony, the officiant must certify the facts of the marriage and return the completed certificate to the clerk within five days, as required by § 32.1-267. The clerk files the original and sends a monthly report to the State Registrar. This reporting cycle keeps both local and state records current.

Hanover County Marriage Record Sources

The Hanover County Government portal provides access to county services, including information about the circuit court clerk who handles all local marriage records.

The county portal lists current contact information for all county offices, including the clerk's office where marriage licenses are issued and records are maintained.

The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office provides certified copies of Hanover County marriage records for events from 1936 to the present.

State-level certified copies carry the same legal weight as originals and are accepted as prima facie evidence of the facts they contain under Virginia law.

Nearby Counties

Hanover County is surrounded by several other counties in central Virginia. Each county has its own circuit court clerk for marriage records.