Lee County Marriage Records

Lee County marriage records are kept at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Jonesville, Virginia. The clerk issues all marriage licenses and maintains the official record of every marriage performed in the county. You can search Lee County marriage records in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the Virginia Department of Health for marriages from 1936 onward. Lee County was formed in 1792 from Russell County and is located in Virginia's far southwestern corner near the Tennessee and Kentucky borders.

Lee County Circuit Court Clerk

The Lee County Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Jonesville handles all marriage licensing and record maintenance for the county. Staff can search Lee County marriage records by name or year. Certified copies carry the court seal and are valid for legal use. Contact the clerk before visiting to confirm hours and fees. Lee County is in the most remote corner of Virginia, where three states meet, so calling ahead is always a good idea before making the trip to Jonesville.

Virginia law under § 20-14 makes the circuit court clerk the only office that can issue marriage licenses in each county. Both parties must appear in person together. 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. The clerk files it and reports monthly to the state, creating the official Lee County marriage record in both systems. The clerk also assists with genealogical research requests and can help you locate older records going back to 1792.

Finding Lee County Marriage Records

Visiting the clerk's office at the Lee County Courthouse in Jonesville is the most direct route. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties. The clerk can search by name and produce certified copies. Mail requests also work. Write to the Lee County Circuit Court Clerk with both party names, the approximate year, and payment for the copy fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Most mail requests are processed within a few weeks.

For marriages from 1936 forward, the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records in Richmond is often the most practical option given Lee County's far distance from most of Virginia's population centers. The state office accepts 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 valid identification. Phone is 804-662-6200. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Access rules are governed by § 32.1-271.

Virginia FOIA rules under § 2.2-3704 govern access to government records. The Virginia FOIA Council can address any access questions.

Lee County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must appear together at the Lee County Courthouse in Jonesville to apply for a marriage license. Each person needs 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 ceremony.

Both parties must be 18 or older. There is no waiting period and no blood test. The license is valid for 60 days. If the wedding does not happen within that window, you need to apply again. Contact the clerk for the current license fee before your visit. After the ceremony, the officiant fills in the details and returns the certificate to the clerk. That filed certificate is the permanent Lee County marriage record.

Historical Marriage Records in Lee County

Lee County has kept marriage records since 1792, when it was created from Russell County. Early records include bond books and registers from the late 18th and 19th centuries. These are held at the courthouse in Jonesville and at the Library of Virginia in Richmond. The Library maintains microfilm and digital collections of Lee County marriage records and can assist researchers with genealogical requests. The Library is at 800 E. Broad Street in Richmond. Call (804) 692-3500 for help. The catalog is searchable online at lva.virginia.gov.

The Library of Virginia holds historical Lee County marriage records from the late 18th century onward.

The Library's Southwest Virginia collections are a strong resource for genealogical research in Lee County and surrounding counties.

Genealogy databases like FamilySearch have indexed some Lee County marriage records, especially from earlier decades. Those free databases are a useful starting point before requesting official copies.

State-Level Lee County Records

The Virginia Department of Health holds certified copies of all Lee County marriage certificates from 1936 onward. The state Office of Vital Records in Richmond processes requests online, by mail, or in person at 8701 Park Central Drive Suite 100. The fee is $12 per copy. Phone is 804-662-6200. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Mail goes to P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000.

Records 25 years old or older are generally public under § 32.1-271. Newer records are restricted to immediate family. Fees are governed by § 32.1-272 and § 32.1-273. The Virginia courts website has contact information for the Lee County clerk.

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

The state office is the most practical option for most people seeking Lee County marriage records given the county's remote location.

Nearby Cities

Lee County is in the far southwest corner of Virginia. The nearest Virginia independent cities are some distance to the northeast.

Nearby Counties

Lee County borders several far Southwest Virginia counties as well as counties in Tennessee and Kentucky across state lines. For Virginia records, check the county where the parties lived.