Marriage records in Prince William County, Virginia, are available through several channels. PrinceWilliamCourt.us allows you to find publicly accessible information about the county's marriage records. Additionally, records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and can be obtained in person at the courthouse complex, by mail, or through online tools from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Certified copies of marriage certificates are also issued by the Office of Vital Records of the Prince William Health District.
Prince William Marriage Records Search
In the state of Virginia, marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the county where the couple applied. For Prince William County, these duties are performed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office located in the Judicial Center.
The marriage records collection includes:
- Issued marriage licenses
- Returned and registered marriage certificates/returns
- Historical records stored in the land records of the county court
Information about county court cases from July 1, 1989, can be viewed through the online records access system. Older records often require an in-person visit or a written request. Virginia's archival marriage records are also maintained by the Library of Virginia.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Prince William
Fees for copies of marriage records are set by Virginia legislation (Code of Virginia) and the internal policy of the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. Below are the basic rates:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage license/certificate | $2.50 for the first page; $0.50 for each additional page |
| Record search fee | Included in the copy cost |
Certified copies of marriage certificates can also be ordered through the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), where rates differ. VDH charges $12 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Processing time for mail requests through VDH usually ranges from 2 to 6 weeks.
Payments at the county court clerk's office are accepted in cash, money order, or check. Confirm acceptable forms of payment in advance by phone.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Prince William
There are several ways to order a copy of a marriage certificate.
Online
The state of Virginia offers online ordering of certified vital records copies through the Virginia Department of Health portal. Visit the Vital Records – Prince William Health District website for current instructions and links to the ordering system. Online orders are processed by VDH, not the county court clerk's office.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office directly at the Judicial Center. Bring a valid photo ID. Copies are usually issued on the same day.
The separate Vital Records office of the Prince William Health District also serves walk-in visitors:
By Mail
To order a copy by mail through the county court clerk's office, follow these steps:
- Download and complete the record copy request form from the Record Copy Requests page.
- Include a copy of your photo ID.
- Enclose payment in the form of a money order or check made payable to the Clerk of Circuit Court.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Send the package to the Judicial Center address.
Processing of mail requests may take from several days to two weeks, depending on the clerk's office workload. If you need legal assistance regarding marriage records or related issues, refer to the resources on the Legal Assistance/Legal Aid page of Prince William County.