Marriage records in Arlington, Virginia, can be accessed through several channels. ArlingtonCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for Arlington County. You can also request records directly from the Arlington Circuit Court Clerk's Office, which issues and maintains marriage records under Virginia law. Records are available in person at the courthouse, by mail, and through the state's online vital records system.
Arlington Marriage Records Search
In Virginia, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office in each county or independent city is responsible for issuing marriage licenses and maintaining marriage records. In Arlington County, the Arlington Circuit Court Clerk's Office, led by Clerk of Court Hon. Paul F. Ferguson, serves as the custodian of these records. The office holds marriage licenses issued in Arlington, returned marriage certificates, and historical marriage records dating back through the county's history.
Marriage records filed with the Clerk's Office are generally considered public records in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records also maintains statewide marriage records and can issue certified copies of marriage certificates for events recorded in Virginia.
Virginia's Secure Remote Access (SRA) system provides online access to certain land and court records in Circuit Court Clerk's offices, though marriage license records may require a direct request to the Clerk's Office or the state vital records office.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Arlington
Fees for marriage record copies in Arlington follow Virginia statutory guidelines. The Arlington Circuit Court Clerk's Office and the Virginia Department of Health each charge their own fees.
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy (from Circuit Court Clerk) | $2.50 | Virginia Code § 17.1-275 |
| Certified copy (from VA Dept. of Health) | $12.00 | Virginia Vital Records Office |
| Additional certified copy (same order, VA Dept. of Health) | $6.00 | Virginia Vital Records Office |
| Search fee (Circuit Court Clerk) | No separate fee for basic requests | Clerk's Office policy |
Processing times vary. In-person requests at the Clerk's Office are often handled the same day. Mail requests through the Virginia Department of Health typically take several weeks. Expedited processing may be available through the state's online ordering system for an additional fee.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Arlington
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Arlington County:
Online
The Virginia Department of Health's online vital records system allows you to apply for a certified marriage certificate, pay the fee, and track your order. This system covers marriages recorded anywhere in Virginia. You will need to provide the full names of both spouses and the approximate date and location of the marriage.
In Person
Visit the Arlington Circuit Court Clerk's Office during business hours:
Walk-in requests are accepted. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. If you are requesting a certified copy of a marriage license issued in Arlington, the Clerk's Office can typically process it while you wait.
By Mail
To request a marriage record copy by mail from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, send the following:
- A written request including the full names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, and your contact information
- A copy of your government-issued photo ID
- The applicable fee (check or money order payable to "Clerk of Court")
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Mail requests to:
You can also mail requests for certified marriage certificates to the Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. The state office accepts requests for any Virginia marriage record. Copies of marriage licenses can also be obtained from your county Clerk's Office.
For questions about public records access rules or available court forms, check the Virginia Court System's website. If you need help locating marriage records or verifying what is available, contact the Clerk's Office by phone at (703) 228-7010 before visiting.