Northampton County Marriage Records

Northampton County marriage records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Eastville, Virginia, one of the oldest county seats on the Eastern Shore. The clerk issues marriage licenses and holds certified copies of marriage certificates going back to the county's colonial origins. If you need to search for or obtain a Northampton County marriage record, this page explains how the process works and where to go.

Northampton County Circuit Court Clerk

The Northampton County Circuit Court Clerk's Office handles marriage license applications and maintains the county's official marriage records. Northampton County is one of the oldest counties in the United States. It was established in 1634 as one of Virginia's original shires, originally named Accomac before being renamed. The courthouse in Eastville, which dates to the colonial period, holds some of the longest-running continuous court records in the country.

This long record history makes Northampton County especially valuable for genealogical research. Marriage bonds, minister's returns, and registers from the colonial era survive in the county's records and at the Library of Virginia. The Circuit Court Clerk's office in Eastville is the primary local contact for modern marriage records. For certified copies of more recent records, the Virginia Department of Health handles state-level requests.

How to Find Northampton County Marriage Records

Northampton County sits on Virginia's Eastern Shore, separated from the mainland by the Chesapeake Bay. Most residents work through the clerk's office in Eastville for local records. Getting there requires either crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel or traveling through Maryland. Mail requests are a practical option for people who do not live nearby.

To request a certified copy by mail, write a letter that includes both parties' full names, the approximate date of the marriage, and your reason for the request. Enclose a check or money order for the fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to the Circuit Court Clerk at the Eastville courthouse. The clerk will search the records and send a certified copy back if the record is found.

The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office handles requests for certified copies of marriages recorded from June 1936 onward. Check the ID requirements page before submitting. VDH copies carry the state seal and are accepted as legal proof of marriage for most purposes.

For colonial-era and 19th-century records, the Library of Virginia has one of the most complete collections of early Northampton County marriage records available anywhere. Their holdings include records that often predate state registration by more than a century.

Northampton County Marriage License Rules

Applying for a marriage license in Northampton County follows the same state process as any other Virginia county. You apply at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Eastville. You must be at least 18 years old or have parental consent if between 16 and 17. Virginia Code Section 20-13 governs the license application and requires that both parties not already be married to someone else.

You will need to present a valid government-issued photo ID and provide information about both parties, including full legal names, dates of birth, places of birth, and parents' names. The license is issued on the same day you apply in most cases. It is valid for 60 days. If the ceremony does not occur within that window, the license expires and you must apply again.

After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and must return it to the clerk within 5 days as required by Section 20-20 of the Code of Virginia. The clerk then records the marriage and sends a report to the Virginia Department of Health. Virginia law under Section 20-14 covers who is authorized to perform marriages in the state.

Northampton County Marriage Record Resources

The Library of Virginia holds colonial-era marriage records for Northampton County. Their collection includes some of the oldest marriage documentation in the Commonwealth.

Genealogists researching Eastern Shore families often find critical records at the Library of Virginia that are not available anywhere else. Their online catalog and in-person services are both useful starting points.

The Northampton County Government Portal provides contact information for county offices, including the Circuit Court Clerk in Eastville.

The county website is the best place to find current hours, fees, and any changes to how the clerk's office handles requests.

The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office provides certified copies of marriage records from 1936 onward for Northampton County residents.

VDH-issued copies are accepted for legal and identification purposes and include the State Registrar's certification.

What Northampton County Marriage Records Contain

Modern Northampton County marriage records include the full legal names of both parties, the date and place of the marriage, the name of the officiant, and the date the license was issued. Records also include ages or dates of birth, places of birth, and parents' names. Prior marriage status is noted if applicable. Older records from the 18th and 19th centuries may use different formats but generally include names, dates, and witnesses.

Certified copies are the only form that works for legal uses such as name changes, insurance updates, or passport applications. Plain copies do not carry legal weight. The clerk's office and the VDH both issue certified copies. The fee differs between the two offices, so check before you request.

Virginia's public records law at Code Section 2.2-3704 makes most marriage records in the clerk's possession available to the public. The Virginia FOIA Council provides support if you encounter access problems.

Nearby Cities

Northampton County is located on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The nearest independent cities are across the bay.

Nearby Counties

Accomack County borders Northampton to the north on the Eastern Shore. The counties across the bay are accessible via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.