Highland County Marriage Records

Highland County marriage records are held at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Monterey, Virginia. The clerk issues all marriage licenses and maintains the official record of every marriage performed in the county. You can get Highland County marriage records in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the Virginia Department of Health for marriages from 1936 forward. Highland County is one of the most rural counties in Virginia, and its records date back to 1847 when it was formed from Bath and Pendleton Counties.

Highland County Circuit Court Clerk

The Highland County Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Monterey is the place to go for all marriage records in the county. The office is in the Highland County Courthouse. Staff can search Highland County marriage records by name or year and issue certified copies on request. Contact the clerk's office before your visit to confirm hours and fees. Highland County is the least populous county in Virginia, so plan to call ahead to make sure staff will be available to assist you.

Virginia law under § 20-14 designates the circuit court clerk as the sole authority for issuing marriage licenses. Both parties must appear in person. There is no waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days. Under § 32.1-267, the officiant returns the completed certificate to the clerk within five days of the ceremony. The clerk files it and reports monthly to the state, creating the official Highland County marriage record in both systems.

The Highland County Government website provides information about county services and can help you locate the clerk's office in Monterey.

Use the county website to find current contact details and confirm the clerk's availability before making the trip to Monterey.

Getting Highland County Marriage Records

For Highland County marriage records, visiting the clerk's office in Monterey in person is one option. Call ahead to confirm hours and fees. Because the county is remote and lightly staffed, mail or state-level requests are often a more practical choice. For mail requests, write to the Highland County Circuit Court Clerk in Monterey. Include both party names, the approximate year of the marriage, and payment for the copy fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

For marriages from 1936 onward, the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond is a very practical alternative. The state office processes requests online, by mail to P.O. Box 1000 Richmond VA 23218-1000, or in person at 8701 Park Central Drive Suite 100. The fee is $12 per copy. You need to show valid identification. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, phone 804-662-6200. Virginia's FOIA law under § 2.2-3704 and the Virginia FOIA Council can address access questions.

Marriage License Requirements in Highland County

Both applicants must appear together at the Highland County Courthouse in Monterey to apply for a marriage license. Each person must bring valid government-issued photo ID. The application under § 20-16 asks for full legal name, date and place of birth, current address, Social Security number, and prior marital history. Virginia law under § 20-13 requires a license before any marriage ceremony can take place.

Both parties must be 18 or older. There is no waiting period and no blood test. The license is valid for 60 days from issue. If the wedding does not happen within that period, you must apply again. Call the clerk before your visit to confirm the current license fee and that staff will be available. After the ceremony, the officiant fills in the details and returns the certificate to the clerk. That document is the permanent Highland County marriage record.

Historical Marriage Records in Highland County

Highland County was formed in 1847 from Bath and Pendleton Counties. Its marriage records span about 175 years. Early records include bond books and registers from the mid-19th century onward. These are held at the courthouse in Monterey and at the Library of Virginia in Richmond. The Library maintains microfilm and digital collections covering historical Highland County marriage records and can assist researchers. The Library is at 800 E. Broad Street in Richmond. Phone is (804) 692-3500. The catalog is searchable online.

The Library of Virginia holds historical Highland County marriage records from the mid-19th century onward.

The Library's collections cover many Virginia counties and are a strong resource for genealogical research in the western Virginia region.

State-Level Highland County Records

The Virginia Department of Health holds certified copies of all Highland County marriage certificates from 1936 forward. The state Office of Vital Records in Richmond processes requests online, by mail, or in person. The fee is $12 per copy. Phone is 804-662-6200 and hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Mail goes to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000.

Under § 32.1-271, records 25 years old or older are generally public. Newer records are restricted to immediate family. The fee structure is governed by § 32.1-272 and § 32.1-273. The Virginia courts website has contact information for the Highland County clerk. For most people trying to get Highland County marriage records, the state VDH office is the most practical option given the county's remote location.

The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office holds certified copies of Highland County marriage records from 1936 to the present.

The state office can process requests from anywhere in the country by mail, online, or in person at the Richmond office.

Nearby Cities

Highland County is in the western mountains of Virginia. The nearest independent cities are in the Shenandoah Valley to the east.

Nearby Counties

Highland County borders several western Virginia counties. If you need records from a specific time period, check where the parties lived to identify the right county.