Pulaski County Marriage Records Lookup

Pulaski County marriage records are on file at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Pulaski, Virginia. The clerk issues marriage licenses, records the returned licenses after ceremonies, and maintains the official file of marriages for the county. To search for a marriage record, get a certified copy, or apply for a new license, go to the clerk's office at 170 Fourth Street in Pulaski. The Virginia Department of Health also holds certified copies of Pulaski County marriages from 1936 forward and offers a second path for obtaining official records.

Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk in Pulaski handles all marriage license applications and keeps the official record of every marriage in Pulaski County. Both people who want to marry must appear at the clerk's office together. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk's office, and that returned document is recorded as the official county marriage record. Clerk staff can look up records by name or date and make copies for qualified requesters.

Pulaski County is located in the New River Valley in southwestern Virginia. The county was formed in 1839 from Montgomery and Wythe Counties and shares the 27th Judicial Circuit with neighboring Montgomery County. The county seat is the town of Pulaski. The clerk's records go back to the county's founding, providing more than 180 years of marriage documentation. For pre-1936 research, the clerk and the Library of Virginia are the two primary sources.

Getting a Marriage License in Pulaski County

Both people must come to the clerk's office together to apply for a marriage license. You do not have to be a Pulaski County resident, but the ceremony must take place in Virginia. Each applicant needs a valid government-issued photo ID and their Social Security number. Anyone who was previously married must provide documentation showing how and when that marriage ended.

Under Code of Virginia § 20-14, Virginia law sets the requirements for marriage licenses across all counties. The license is valid for 60 days from the date the clerk issues it. There is no waiting period required before the ceremony. If the wedding does not happen within 60 days, the license expires and the couple must start the application process again. After the ceremony, the officiant is required to return the completed and signed license to the Pulaski County clerk's office. That returned document becomes the official county marriage record and is stored permanently at the clerk's office.

Note: Only original documents or certified copies are accepted. Plain photocopies of IDs or prior divorce records will not be accepted by the clerk.

State Certified Copies Through VDH

The Virginia Department of Health Vital Records Office in Richmond holds certified copies of Pulaski County marriage records for events from 1936 through the present. Requests can be made by mail, online through a VDH-linked vendor, or in person at VDH's office at 2001 Maywill Street in Richmond. The fee is $12 per certified copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $12 as well. Mail orders take two to four weeks. Going to the Pulaski County clerk's office in person is faster if you need a copy quickly.

Under Code of Virginia § 32.1-267, marriage records are vital records and the state is required to maintain a centralized archive starting in 1936. To order from VDH, provide the full names of both parties, the county of marriage, and the year. Include a copy of your photo ID and payment with the request. VDH is a practical option when you are not able to visit the county clerk in person or when you need a state-certified copy for an official purpose.

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

VDH holds certified copies of Pulaski County marriages from 1936 forward and processes requests at $12 per copy by mail or in person at their Richmond office.

Pulaski County Government Resources

The Pulaski County Government website links to county departments and public services, including information about court operations and the clerk's office.

The county's official site includes links to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office with contact details for marriage license applications and certified copy requests in Pulaski County.

Accessing Pulaski County Marriage Records

Virginia makes marriage records public after 25 years. Records from 2000 and earlier are open to anyone. No relationship to the parties needs to be shown and no reason for the request is needed. For marriages in the last 25 years, access is limited. Only the parties themselves, their legal representatives, or people with a documented legal need can request those records. Both the county clerk and VDH follow these rules consistently.

Under Virginia's FOIA statute at Code of Virginia § 2.2-3704, the public has the right to request access to government records, including public marriage records held by the Pulaski County Circuit Court Clerk. Submit a written request to the clerk's office. The clerk must respond within five working days. Under Code of Virginia § 32.1-271, restricted vital records within the 25-year window can only be released to qualified applicants as defined by law.

Historical Pulaski County Marriage Records

Pulaski County records begin in 1839 when the county was formed. For marriages before 1936, the circuit court clerk is the primary local source. VDH only holds records from 1936 forward. Some older records have been microfilmed and placed with the Library of Virginia in Richmond. Genealogists researching Pulaski County families will typically need to check both the local clerk and state archives.

The Library of Virginia holds historical marriage records for Pulaski County including registers and bonds from the 19th century. Their online catalog and reference staff can help researchers identify what is available for Pulaski County. The library is in Richmond and is open to the public. Many records have also been digitized and may be accessible without an in-person visit.

The Library of Virginia records database shown here reflects historical collections that include Pulaski County marriage documentation from the county's founding in 1839 through the early 20th century.

The Library of Virginia holds Pulaski County marriage registers and bonds from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s, a key source for pre-modern vital records research in this area.

Virginia Law and Marriage Record-Keeping

Virginia's marriage records system creates two parallel files for each marriage: one at the county clerk's office and one at VDH. The circuit court clerk issues the license and keeps the local copy. Under Code of Virginia § 32.1-273, a copy also goes to the state registrar for the statewide vital records index. This dual system means that even if one source has a gap, the other may hold the record. Both sources should show the same information for any given Pulaski County marriage.

The Virginia courts website at vacourts.gov lists all circuit court clerks in the state with current contact details. Use that site to confirm the current hours and address for the Pulaski County Circuit Court or any other court in Virginia you need to reach.

Nearby Counties

These counties are adjacent to or near Pulaski County in southwestern Virginia. Each has its own circuit court clerk for marriage record services.