You must be a resident of the 20^th Circuit (includes Fauquier, Loudoun and Rappahannock Counties).

Please send a $54.00 filing fee (check, cash, or money orders only, made payable to Clerk Circuit Court).

Complete the Petition for Authorization to Celebrate Rites of Marriage and file with the Clerk along with a record check from the Virginia State Police. 

Once authorized, the Court will require that you post a $500.00 cash bond as surety.  This bond must be posted with the Clerk before you perform any marriages in Virginia.

For your information, marriage licenses issued in Virginia are valid for sixty (60) days from the issue date and marriages must be performed prior to the expiration date of the license. You must complete and sign both copies of the marriage certificate showing the date of your authorization by the Court and the county where you were authorized to celebrate marriages in Virginia. Both copies of the marriage certificate must be returned to the Clerk’s Office issuing the marriage license within five (5) days of the ceremony.

Please refer to Section 20-25 of the Code of Virginia for further information.