No appointment is required for walk ins. In-person customers must enter their information at one of the three marriage license kiosks located by the public service counter, and we request that you arrive by 3:30 pm to ensure your marriage license is processed that day.

You will receive the license after both parties complete the license application and take oaths.

Applicants can complete their marriage license application via Video Application. Appointments are available between 9:00am-12pm, Monday through Thursday.

Instructions for Video Application

For video applications, your application must be completed and uploaded at least 48 hours prior to your appointment. 

1. Download and fill out the Marriage License Application if you are doing a virtual appointment.
2. Upload your completed Marriage License Application to this website and answer a few quick questions. You must do this at least 48 hours prior to your appointment.
3. Book your appointment by following the steps in this link.

Following a Video Application, your marriage license will be mailed to you. The Clerk’s Office is not responsible for any delays in mail delivery.

MARRIAGE CELEBRANTS

You must select a celebrant and have a marriage ceremony in Virginia within 60 days of the issuance of your license. Both religious and civil celebrants must be authorized to perform the rites of matrimony within the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Please see below for details on each type of marriage celebrant.

A.     CLERGY 

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 20-23, a minister of any denomination may apply for an order from the Circuit Court or the Clerk of Circuit Court authorizing such minister to celebrate the rites of matrimony within the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Please see the requirements here:  Alexandria Religious Celebrant Requirements

 B.    CIVIL CELEBRANTS

• The list of persons authorized by the Circuit Court or the Clerk of Circuit Court to perform civil marriage ceremonies may be found here:  List of Civil Celebrants 
• Many elected officials in Virginia may also celebrate the rites of marriage.  If you are interested in having an elected official perform your marriage ceremony, please reach out directly to their office.
• The Clerk of Circuit Court performs marriage ceremonies most Fridays from 2 pm -3:30 pm at the Alexandria Courthouse. Reservations may be booked  here  beginning 45 days before the ceremony date.  Please have your marriage license application completed prior to your appointment.  If you need to apply for your marriage license the same day as your ceremony, please arrive at least 30 minutes early.
• If you wish to be married by a Deputy Clerk with a minimal ceremony you may do so by making a request at the Civil Division Counter in the Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court at the Alexandria Courthouse during regular business hours, M -F, 8 am to 4 pm, except holidays. If a celebrant is available we will honor your request.  No appointments are needed for the minimal ceremony.  Deputy Clerk Celebrants are available for minimal ceremonies in English, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Cantonese. Please specify the language when you make the request at the counter. 

 C.     ONE-TIME CIVIL MARRIAGE CELEBRANTS 

Pursuant to Virginia Code § 20-25, persons other than ministers may perform the rites of matrimony within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

To apply for an authorization to perform a marriage from the Alexandria Clerk of Circuit Court you must do the following:

• Complete and submit the application.
• Produce a government-issued photo identification.
• Pay the application fee of $59
• Complete a Bond, promising to return the completed marriage license. NOTE: Applicants who live outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia will be required to pay a $500 surety at the time of their application.  The $500 will be returned to the celebrant when we receive a certified copy of the marriage license issued by the Virginia Clerk of Circuit Court’s Office which issued them. The celebrant is responsible for obtaining and providing to us the certified copy of the completed marriage license from the Clerk’s Office which issued it.

Copies of marriage licenses are available from the Clerk's Office after the original license is returned by the marriage celebrant. To request a copy via mail, write to us at

Clerk of Circuit Court

520 King Street, Room 307,

Alexandria, VA, 22314

and include the following:

• Names of both parties at the time of the marriage
• Date of marriage
• $2.50 cash or money-order for each certified copy
• A stamped, self-addressed envelope for return

Marriage Licenses and records in the Clerk’s possession begin in 1870 and continue through the present day. Digitized indexes cover 1870-1916 and 1969-Present. 

The Health Department can also issue copies of marriage licenses and other vital records; visit their website or call 703.746.4991 for more details.