Search New Kent County Marriage Records

New Kent County marriage records are kept by the Circuit Court Clerk in New Kent, Virginia. The clerk issues marriage licenses and maintains certified copies of marriage certificates for the county. If you need to find a marriage record or get a certified copy, you can contact the clerk's office directly or request through the Virginia Department of Health for records from 1936 forward. This page explains your options and what to expect.

New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk

The New Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's Office is the official keeper of marriage records for the county. New Kent was formed in 1654 from York County, making it one of Virginia's older counties. The clerk issues marriage licenses and stores them permanently after the officiant returns the signed license following the wedding ceremony.

One important fact for researchers: New Kent County suffered a significant records loss in 1787 when a courthouse fire destroyed many colonial-era documents. Marriage records prior to that date may be incomplete or missing entirely. The Library of Virginia has done work to reconstruct some of these early records from alternate sources, but gaps remain. If you are doing genealogical research on a New Kent family from the colonial period, plan for this limitation from the start.

For records from 1787 onward, the clerk's office is the primary local source. State-level certified copies for marriages from 1936 onward are available through the Virginia Department of Health.

Requesting New Kent County Marriage Records

You can request New Kent County marriage records in person or by mail. In-person requests go to the Circuit Court Clerk at the courthouse in New Kent. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties and the approximate date of the marriage. The clerk can look up the record and provide a certified copy for a fee. Bring cash or check. Some offices also take credit cards, so call ahead to confirm.

Mail requests work too. Write a letter with the full names of both parties, the date and county of the marriage, and your contact information. Include a check or money order for the copy fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send it to the clerk's office address. Processing time varies, but most requests come back within a few weeks.

For marriages from 1936 to the present, the Virginia Department of Health Vital Records is another option. VDH charges a set fee per certified copy. Check their ID requirements page before submitting. VDH copies are accepted for name changes, Social Security updates, passport applications, and similar legal purposes.

Getting a Marriage License in New Kent County

To get married in New Kent County, you must first apply for a marriage license at the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Virginia law under Code Section 20-13 requires applicants to appear in person, present valid ID, and provide information about both parties. You do not need to bring your future spouse. One person can apply on behalf of both parties.

You will need to provide both parties' full legal names, dates of birth, places of birth, and the names of both sets of parents. If either party was previously married, you will need to state how that marriage ended and approximately when. Virginia does not require a waiting period. The license is valid for 60 days from the issue date. If the ceremony does not happen within that time, you must reapply.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 5 days as required by Section 20-20. The clerk records the marriage and forwards the data to the Virginia Department of Health, which maintains the statewide vital records database. The Virginia court system provides general guidance on circuit court functions across the state.

New Kent County Marriage Record Sources

The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records maintains certified copies of New Kent County marriage records for marriages from 1936 onward.

VDH copies carry the state seal and the signature of the State Registrar. They are accepted as legal proof of marriage for most official purposes.

The Library of Virginia holds surviving historical marriage records for New Kent County. Their collection includes what remains of pre-fire records, plus post-1787 marriage bonds, registers, and returns.

Researchers doing family history work on New Kent County marriages often start with the Library of Virginia. Their online catalog at lva.virginia.gov is searchable, and their reading room is open to the public.

What New Kent Marriage Records Include

New Kent County marriage records show the full names of both parties, the date the license was issued, the date of the ceremony, and the name of the officiant. Most records also include the ages or dates of birth of both parties, their places of birth, and the names of their parents. Records from the 19th century may also include information about prior marriages.

Certified copies from the clerk's office or VDH carry legal weight. Plain photocopies do not serve the same purpose. If you need the record for a legal use, ask specifically for a certified copy with the official seal. The fee for certified copies is set by the clerk's office and may vary. Call ahead to confirm the current amount before sending a mail request.

Under Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, found at Code Section 2.2-3704, most marriage records held by the clerk's office are accessible to the public. The Virginia FOIA Council can answer questions if you run into access issues.

Nearby Cities

New Kent County is near several independent cities, each with their own records offices.

Nearby Counties

These counties border New Kent County. Each maintains its own marriage records through its Circuit Court Clerk.