Roanoke County Marriage Records

Roanoke County marriage records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Salem, Virginia. The county seat is Salem, not the independent City of Roanoke. These are two separate jurisdictions with separate offices and separate records. If you need a marriage record tied to Roanoke County specifically, contact the clerk in Salem. Certified copies of records from 1936 forward are also available through the Virginia Department of Health. Records from before 1936 exist only at the local clerk's office.

Roanoke County Circuit Court Clerk

The Roanoke County Circuit Court Clerk's main office is at 105 E. Calhoun Street in Salem. This is the courthouse location for the county. A satellite office is also available in Vinton, which is part of Roanoke County. The Clerk's Office issues marriage licenses, records completed licenses after ceremonies, and provides copies on request. Staff can search their index by name and date and assist walk-in visitors during business hours.

Roanoke County was established in 1838 from Botetourt County. It surrounds the independent City of Roanoke on three sides but is a completely separate legal jurisdiction. Marriages that took place within the boundaries of Roanoke County, including in communities like Vinton, Cave Spring, Hollins, and Catawba, are recorded at the county clerk's office in Salem. Marriages in the City of Roanoke are a different set of records held by the city's Circuit Court Clerk. If you are not sure which office to contact, the county and city boundaries can be confirmed through the Roanoke County Government website.

How to Get Roanoke County Marriage Records

You can access Roanoke County marriage records in person at the Salem courthouse, by mail, or through the Virginia Department of Health for post-1936 records. In-person visits are the most direct route. Bring valid photo ID and the names of both parties plus the approximate year of the marriage. The Clerk's staff can search and provide copies during your visit.

Mail requests should be sent to the Circuit Court Clerk at 105 E. Calhoun Street, Salem, VA 24153. Include a written request with full names, approximate date or year, a copy of your ID, and payment for fees. Response time is typically two to four weeks depending on workload. If the record is not found, the office will inform you.

For certified copies of post-1936 Roanoke County marriages, the Virginia Department of Health is a reliable option. The VDH fee is $12 per certified copy. The VDH copy carries the state seal and is accepted for name changes, passport applications, and similar legal uses. Under Virginia Code § 32.1-271, marriage records are public after 25 years. Newer records may have restricted access.

Historical records going back to 1838 are on file with the county clerk and at the Library of Virginia. The library has microfilm and digital resources that can be searched online before you make contact with the local office.

Roanoke County Records and Resources

The Roanoke County Government portal provides information about the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, including contact details and services available to the public.

The county website includes office hours, maps to courthouse locations, and links to state-level vital records resources.

The Library of Virginia holds historical marriage records for Roanoke County dating to the county's formation in 1838.

The Library of Virginia's collections include early marriage registers and bonds that are not available through the VDH system, making them an important resource for older Roanoke County genealogy.

Virginia Marriage Law and Roanoke County

Marriage licensing in Roanoke County follows Virginia state law. Under Virginia Code § 20-14, both parties must appear at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office to obtain a marriage license. The license is valid for 60 days. There is no mandatory waiting period between obtaining the license and having the ceremony. After the ceremony, the officiant has five days to return the completed license to the Clerk.

The Clerk then records the license and sends a copy to the Virginia Department of Health, which files it under Virginia Code § 32.1-267. This is how both local and state-level records are created from a single transaction. Fees for certified copies are governed by Virginia Code § 32.1-273. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act controls who can access records and how requests are handled.

Note: Roanoke County and the City of Roanoke are legally distinct. Always confirm which jurisdiction applies to the marriage you are researching.

State Records for Roanoke County Marriages

The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records processes requests for certified copies of Roanoke County marriage records from 1936 to the present. The standard fee is $12 per certified copy. Requests can be submitted by mail or in person in Richmond. The VDH also works with third-party online ordering services for added convenience.

To order from VDH, you will need the names of both parties, the county where the marriage took place (list Roanoke County specifically, not the City of Roanoke), and the year or date. Processing typically takes several weeks unless you pay for expedited service. The VDH copy is accepted by government agencies, courts, and insurance companies as official proof of marriage.

The VDH vital records office serves all 95 Virginia counties and independent cities, including Roanoke County, providing certified copies for marriages from 1936 onward.

The Virginia Courts website also has helpful information about court records and circuit court operations across the state.

Nearby Counties

These counties are adjacent to or near Roanoke County in the Valley and Ridge region of Virginia.