Mathews County Marriage Records

Mathews County marriage records are on file at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Mathews, Virginia. The clerk issues marriage licenses and stores all marriage documents for the county. If you need a certified copy of a marriage record or want to look up a marriage that took place in Mathews County, this page tells you what to do, where to go, and what to bring.

Mathews County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk in Mathews is the only office in the county that can issue a marriage license, as set by Virginia Code § 20-14. The clerk also keeps all filed marriage records on behalf of the county. When a couple applies for a license, the clerk prepares it and collects the required information. After the ceremony, the officiant files the completed license with the clerk, who then records and stores the original. Visit the Mathews County Circuit Court Clerk's page for current hours and procedures.

Mathews County sits on the lower Chesapeake Bay peninsula and was formed in 1791 from Gloucester County. The county has a relatively small population, but the clerk's office maintains records going back to that founding date. For marriages before 1936, the clerk is your only option. For more recent marriages, the Virginia Department of Health can also help. Call the clerk at (804) 725-7131 before visiting to confirm what you need to bring.

Searching for Marriage Records in Mathews County

You can get Mathews County marriage records in two ways. For marriages from 1936 onward, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records. The state charges $12 per certified copy under Virginia Code § 32.1-273 and accepts mail-in requests. For older records or for quicker access, go directly to the Mathews County Circuit Court Clerk's office.

When you request a record from the clerk's office, be ready to give the names of both parties and the year the marriage took place. Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, marriage records are public after 25 years. Records within that window are restricted to the parties, their immediate family, or legal representatives. If you have a legal need for a recent record, bring written documentation to the clerk.

For historical research, the Library of Virginia has Mathews County marriage records going back to the 19th century. Their catalog includes marriage bonds and registers that may be digitized.

The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office provides certified copies of marriage records for Mathews County for all marriages registered from 1936 forward.

Visit vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records to learn how to order a certified copy of a Mathews County marriage record and what documents to include with your request.

Getting a Marriage License in Mathews County

Both people must appear in person at the Mathews County Circuit Court Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID. If either person was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse. The clerk will issue the license the same day in most cases. Virginia has no waiting period, so you can use the license immediately. The license is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued.

After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed and dated license to the clerk within 5 days. The clerk records the return and places the document in the county's permanent files. Once that step is done, the marriage is on the official record and a certified copy can be requested. The county site at mathewscountyva.gov can confirm any updates to fees or procedures.

Note: Contact the clerk at (804) 725-7131 to confirm the current license fee before you go, since local fees can change.

The Mathews County government website provides information about county services including the Circuit Court Clerk's office, where marriage licenses are issued and records are maintained.

Visit mathewscountyva.gov for details on the clerk's office, including how to contact them and what to bring when applying for a marriage license.

State Laws That Cover Marriage Records

Virginia marriage records are governed by state code. Virginia Code § 32.1-267 sets out what must be included in a marriage record. The public access timeline is defined at § 32.1-271, which gives the 25-year rule. The cost of a certified copy is fixed at $12 by § 32.1-273.

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act, found at Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, allows you to formally request public records from government offices. If you are denied access to a record you believe is public, you can file a FOIA request and the agency must reply within five business days. The Virginia court system also has resources on how circuit court offices operate and what records they maintain.

Historical Marriage Records in Mathews County

Mathews County has marriage records going back to its founding in 1791. The earliest documents are marriage bonds, which predate the formal license system. A bond was a signed financial guarantee by the groom and a co-signer that no legal barrier to the marriage existed. These bonds often contain names and family connections that are valuable for genealogical research.

After 1853, Virginia law required clerks to keep formal marriage registers with more detailed information. The Library of Virginia has copies of many of these older Mathews County records on microfilm and in digital form. Researchers tracing coastal Virginia families often find Mathews County records helpful because of the county's ties to Gloucester and the broader Tidewater region. If you do not find what you need at the Library of Virginia, contact the clerk's office at (804) 725-7131 to ask about original record books they may still hold locally.

The Library of Virginia maintains historical marriage records for Mathews County, including bonds and registers from the late 18th and 19th centuries.

Use the Library of Virginia's search tools at lva.virginia.gov to locate and request older Mathews County marriage records not available through the state vital records office.

Cities Near Mathews County

Mathews County has no independent cities within its borders. The nearest cities with their own court services are Newport News and Hampton to the southwest, both of which are independent Virginia cities.

Communities within Mathews County, such as Hudgins, Port Haywood, and Cardinal, are served by the county clerk's office in the town of Mathews.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Mathews County. Each handles its own marriage records through the local circuit court clerk.