How to Find Virginia Marriage Records

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Finding Virginia Marriage Records[edit | edit source]



Tip
 More marriage information is usually found on the marriage license application or the marriage register. Less information is found on the marriage certificate.

Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source]
Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's marriage record:
|
Marriage Records
Choose a time period:

Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records

Marriages Before 1853[edit | edit source]

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for marriage information in other records.

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information[edit | edit source]
Try these databases.
Marriage information is taken from substitute records such as church records.
Database Name Link or links to access database # of records 
Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1660-1959 On Findmypast ($) index
Ancestry, Marriages, 1660-1800 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 88,130
Ancestry, Marriages, 1700-1850 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 33,706
Ancestry, Marriage bonds, 1700s-1824 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 4,496
Ancestry, Marriages, 1740-1850 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 337,520
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1771-1943 Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771-1943, index and images. 37,040
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1785-1940 On FamilySearch, free, incomplete, view coverage table
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1853-1935 Virginia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, County Marriage Registers, 1853-1935, index.
Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1929 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 29,984
Library of Virginia, Marriages, 1719-1898 On Library of Virginia, free, incomplete, county coverage Undisclosed
FamilySearch, Select Marriages, 1700-1799 On FamilySearch, free, incomplete index Undisclosed
Can't access Ancestry? Visit your local family history center or your local public library.
No marriage record for your ancestor?

Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.
Search other records with marriage information.

If you did not find your ancestor in the above indexes, try searching for marriage information in other records.

1. Look first in 2. Then search
Church Records

Newspapers
Military Records
Obituaries

Census Records

Cemetery Records
Death Records
Bible Records

Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Marriages from 1853 to Present[edit | edit source]

STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information[edit | edit source]
Try these databases.
Marriage information is taken from substitute records such as church records.
Database Name Link or links to access database # of records
Findmypast, United States Marriages, 1660-1959 On Findmypast ($) index
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1785-1940 On FamilySearch, free, incomplete, view coverage table 1,219,044
Ancestry, Marriages, 1851-1929 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 29,984
FamilySearch, Marriages, 1853-1935 Virginia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, County Marriage Registers, 1853-1935, index.
Ancestry, Virginia, Marriage Records, 1936-2014 Free using Ancestryinstitution at FamilySearch Centers $, Use your own Ancestry subscription 9,445,507
Library of Virginia, Marriages, 1719-1898 On Library of Virginia, free, incomplete, county coverage Undisclosed
Can't access Ancestry? Visit your local family history center or your local public library.
No marriage record for your ancestor?

Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive.
Search other records with marriage information.

If you did not find your ancestor in the above indexes, try searching for marriage information in other records.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Record[edit | edit source]


Tip
 More marriage information is usually found on the marriage license application or the marriage register. Less information is found on the marriage certificate.


PART A: You know the approximate or exact date and place of marriage from your records or the above indexes

With date and place of marriage,
order a copy of the marriage from one of the following:
Option A: Marriage Records on Microfilm Some county marriage records may be available on microfilm at your local Family Search Center. If you know the county and approximate date where the marriage took place, use the FamilySearch Catalog to see what is available.
  • Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.
  • Select the topic Vital Records. Look for records authored by the county clerk.
  • Some microfilms may be available to view at a local Family Search Center.
Option B:
Order from the County or City

Order the marriage record for a fee from the county court clerk in the county the marriage took place.

Option C:
Order from the State of Virginia

Order the marriage record for a fee from the Virginia Office of Vital Records.


PART B: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage

  • If you do know the county or independent city of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
  • If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.
Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year

Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Arlene H. Eakle, "Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in Genealogy Blog at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ (accessed 8 January 2011).
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Links to Virginia-related articles   (see also West Virginia-related articles)
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Migration
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