Search Prince George County Marriage Records

Prince George County marriage records are maintained at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Prince George, Virginia. The clerk issues marriage licenses, records returned licenses after ceremonies, and keeps the official file of all marriages in the county. If you need to find a marriage record or get a certified copy, the clerk's office at 6450 Administration Drive is the primary source. The Virginia Department of Health in Richmond also holds certified copies for Prince George County marriages from 1936 forward.

Prince George County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Prince George handles marriage license applications and stores all official marriage records for the county. Both parties must appear in person at the clerk's office to apply for a license. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk, and that document becomes the permanent county marriage record. Staff can look up records by name or date and provide copies to those who qualify.

Prince George County is located in southeastern Virginia, just south of the city of Petersburg. The county was established in 1702 from Charles City County and has kept marriage records since then. Its records include significant 18th and 19th century documentation that is useful for genealogical research. For pre-1936 marriages, the clerk's office is the main local source. The Library of Virginia also holds historical marriage records for Prince George County.

Getting a Marriage License in Prince George County

Both people who want to marry must appear at the clerk's office together to apply. There is no residency requirement, but the ceremony must take place in Virginia. Each applicant needs a valid photo ID and their Social Security number. If either person has been previously married, documentation of how and when that marriage ended is required.

Virginia law under Code of Virginia § 20-14 sets the requirements for marriage licenses statewide. The license is valid for 60 days from the date the clerk issues it. There is no waiting period. If the wedding does not happen within those 60 days, the license expires and a new one is needed. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the completed and signed license to the Prince George County clerk. That returned document is then recorded and filed as the official county record of the marriage. It is the document you would later need to obtain a certified copy.

Note: The clerk requires original documents or certified copies. Photocopies of IDs or divorce papers are not accepted.

State Certified Copies Through VDH

The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records Office holds certified copies of Prince George County marriage records for events from 1936 forward. You can request copies by mail, online, or in person at VDH's Richmond office at 2001 Maywill Street. The fee is $12 per certified copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $12. Mail requests generally take two to four weeks. For faster service, contact the county clerk's office in Prince George directly.

Under Code of Virginia § 32.1-267, marriage records are classified as vital records, and the state is required to maintain a centralized archive. When ordering from VDH, include the full names of both parties, the county of marriage, and the year. Attach a copy of your photo ID and payment to your request.

The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records portal shown here is the official state system for ordering certified copies of Prince George County and other Virginia marriage records.

VDH processes requests for certified copies of Prince George County marriages from 1936 forward at $12 per copy at their Richmond office.

Access to Prince George County Marriage Records

Virginia law makes marriage records public after 25 years. Records from 2000 and earlier are available to the public now. Anyone can request copies without needing to show a relationship to the parties. For marriages in the last 25 years, only the parties, their attorneys, or those with a documented legal need can obtain copies. Both the county clerk and VDH apply these rules consistently.

Under Virginia's FOIA statute at Code of Virginia § 2.2-3704, the public has the right to request records held by government offices. Marriage records that have passed 25 years are public records under this law. Submit a written request to the Prince George County clerk. The clerk must respond within five working days. Under Code of Virginia § 32.1-271, restricted vital records can only be released to qualified applicants.

Historical Prince George County Marriage Records

Prince George County has kept marriage records since 1702. For anything before 1936, the clerk's office is the primary local source. VDH only holds records from that year forward. Some older records have been microfilmed and placed with the Library of Virginia. Researchers studying Prince George County families from the 18th or 19th century should check both sources.

The Library of Virginia in Richmond maintains historical marriage records for Prince George County. Their collections include registers and related documents from the 1700s and 1800s. The library's online catalog helps researchers figure out what is available, and their reference staff can help locate specific collections for Prince George County.

The Library of Virginia historical database shown below reflects collections that include Prince George County marriage documentation going back to the early 18th century.

The Library of Virginia holds Prince George County marriage registers and related documents covering the period from the county's founding in 1702 through the early 20th century.

Virginia Marriage Law and Record-Keeping

Virginia's marriage record system pairs county-level recordkeeping with state-level registration. The circuit court clerk issues the license and stores the local copy. A duplicate goes to VDH to be added to the statewide vital records index. Under Code of Virginia § 32.1-273, the state registrar maintains that index and is responsible for preserving its records. Both sources should reflect the same information for any given Prince George County marriage.

For contact information and court procedures, the Virginia courts website at vacourts.gov lists all circuit court clerks in the state. That site is the best place to confirm current hours and contact details for the Prince George County Circuit Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or are near Prince George County in southeastern Virginia. Each maintains marriage records through its own circuit court clerk.