Copy on Virginia Marriage Records Online

By Claire Dowell


The state of Virginia is known by many as Old Dominion and Mother of Presidents and these were named after the eight American presidents born in the state. Virginia is one of the states in America which is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States and the state is divided into ninety five counties and thirty nine independent cities. The state has eleven Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Richmond Petersburg are the three most populous and Richmond is the capital city of Virginia. Its Metropolitan area has a population of over 1.2 million and is increasing its population every year. Number of people and its statistic situation is updated every year with its reference of number of people registered every day. This registered reference includes birth records, Virginia Marriage Records and vital records. Vital records are under the supervisions of the Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics office.

Vital records are available to immediate family members aside from the requester such as the mother, father, husband, wife, child, brother, sister, grandparents and a legal guardian. For legal guardian,a proof of custody is needed and for family members a valid identity document is required. Requesting a vital record needs to submit a photocopy of their identification. The acceptable proof of identifications are the Primary Valid identification or Virginia Department of Vehicles identification card with a photo, current school or employment identity document with photo, unexpired passport or visa and citizen identification card.

Secondary valid proofs and documents are the United States selective service card, health insurance card, military dependent card with a photo and a welfare or social services identification card with photo that is issued by a municipality. Certified copy of school records or transcript issued by a state accredited school or a form by the Virginia Department of Education Certificate of Enrollment.A state or Foreign Passport that is not expired more than five years is also accepted. Take note that the acceptable documents listed may change without prior notice to the public. Therefore, it is highly advised to contact or visit the office for clarifications.

There are three options to get a marriage record and any other vital record in Virginia. First option is requesting a vital record through mail. Requests should be mailed directly to the office with a signed application or letter, a legible identification documentation and payment. This important information should be given such as the name, date and place of marriage, reason for the record, area code and the return address and phone number of the requester. Delivery time may take two to four weeks from the date of the request that is received in the office. Each certification request costs $12.00 and $30.00 service charge for the return checks. The office will only accept check or money order only with a signature.

Second option is to go to the office directly which is the fastest way to obtain a marriage record. Office is open from Monday to Friday 8am until 5pm and 8am to 12noon on Saturdays. A requester will be ask to complete an application form, pay the $12.00 fee, show the office clerk a valid photo ID and after a few minutes the record will be given to the requester. The office only accepts cash, check or money order, credit or debit cards are not accepted.

Third option is through online method. There is an independent online company that the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records has partnered with to provide services to its people. It is an online website where residents of the state are given the privilege to do Marriage Records Search and request a copy of the record. Marriage records are still available for events that occurred within the State of Virginia from 1853 up to present. $20.00 will be charge for the first copies and $20.80 for the additional copies. For shipping, three options were given and these are the UPS Air-$18.50, UPS 2 DAY-$17.00. Regular mail is free of charge.




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