Arlington County Marriage and Divorce Records
Two different processes share one office. The Clerk of the Circuit Court issues marriage licenses but does not perform the ceremony. The court hears and files divorce cases through Civil Intake. Both touch the same clerk's office at the courthouse, yet they follow separate steps, forms, and fees.
One key point trips people up. A certified copy of a marriage license is not handled by the clerk. It comes from Virginia Vital Records. A certified copy of a divorce decree, on the other hand, does come from the clerk. The sections below sort out each path.
Arlington County Marriage License Requirements
Virginia lets a couple get a marriage license from any circuit court in the state. There is no residency requirement, but the marriage itself must take place in Virginia. Arlington issues licenses by appointment only. The basic rules and the fee are below.
| Requirement / Fee | Arlington Rule |
|---|---|
| Age | Both parties must be at least 18 |
| Identification | Valid photo ID: driver's license, passport, or military ID |
| Blood test | Not required |
| Witnesses | Not required for license issuance |
| Residency | No Virginia residence requirement; ceremony must be in Virginia |
| Validity | License must be used within 60 days of issue |
| Fee | $30 |
Same-sex marriage is legal in Virginia, and Arlington issues licenses to all couples.
How to Apply for an Arlington Marriage License
The process starts online and ends in person. You pre-apply, wait for an appointment email, then come in to finish. Both parties must attend together with valid photo ID. The Arlington marriage license page lays out the steps and the appointment flow.
It explains the pre-application and what to bring to the appointment.
- Pre-apply online through the county marriage page.
- Watch for an appointment email from noreply@versiform.com.
- Schedule the appointment, usually weekdays from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Both parties attend together with valid photo ID.
- Pay the $30 fee by cash or credit card.
- Use the license for a Virginia ceremony within 60 days.
Credit cards add a 4% service charge, and only Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted.
Marriage License Application Fields
The pre-application asks for a short set of details. Both parties provide their information, and the email field drives the appointment. The fields below come from the published process.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Notes / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant names | Text | Yes | Both parties |
| Date of birth / age | Date | Yes | Must show both are at least 18 |
| Identification | Document | Yes | Driver's license, passport, or military ID |
| Contact email | Text | Yes | Used for the Versiform appointment email |
| Appointment slot | Scheduling | Yes | By appointment only |
Note: the courthouse issues the license only; it does not hold weddings, so plan the ceremony separately.
Certified Copies of Marriage Records
For a certified copy of a marriage license, the clerk points you elsewhere. Certified copies come through Virginia Vital Records, a different office from the court. Vital Records may take up to six months to record a new marriage, so allow time. Express service is available through VitalChek for a faster turnaround.
The clerk issues the license; the state records and certifies it. If you need a certified marriage copy for immigration, a name change, or benefits, start with Virginia Vital Records rather than the courthouse.
Filing for Divorce in Arlington County
Divorce complaints are filed in the Circuit Court Civil Intake Division. Virginia sets residency and separation rules before a case can move. At least one spouse must have been a Virginia resident for six months before filing. The separation period depends on whether there are children.
With no children, spouses must be separated at least six months and have a written property settlement agreement before filing. With children, the separation period is at least one year. The Arlington divorce page covers the residency, separation, and filing rules in detail.
It also links the self-represented divorce packet, offered in English and Spanish.
Divorce Filing Documents
A complete divorce filing needs more than the complaint. The court requires several forms, and some must be notarized. Self-represented parties follow the same procedures as attorneys, and court staff cannot give legal advice.
- Divorce Complaint
- VS-4 State Statistical Form, from Civil Intake, completed in black ink
- Domestic Case Coversheet
- Property Settlement or Separation Agreement, agreed and notarized
- Privacy Addendum, Form CC-1426, kept separate for personal identifiers
- Notarized affidavits that comply with Virginia Code § 20-106
If service is not needed, a waiver can be filed using Form CC-1406.
Divorce Fees and Service
Filing a divorce carries a set of fees. The complaint has a filing fee, and sheriff service adds a charge when the other spouse lives in Virginia. Resuming a maiden name has its own fee. The table lists the published amounts.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Divorce complaint filing | $91 |
| Virginia sheriff service | $12 |
| Resume maiden name | $22 |
| Certified decree copy | $0.50 per page plus $2.00 certification |
Pay by cash, cashier's check, or money order to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Personal checks are not accepted, and cards add a 4% convenience fee.
Final Divorce Decree Copies
Once a divorce is final, the clerk can certify the decree. Request a certified copy by email at civil-docrequest@arlingtonva.us, in person, or by mail. The mailing address is 1425 North Courthouse Road, Suite 6700, Arlington, VA 22201.
Copies cost $0.50 per page plus $2.00 to certify. A certified decree is the version courts and agencies accept, so request certification when the copy is for legal use. For other clerk services, see the Clerk of the Circuit Court page.
Not every detail in a divorce file is open. Virginia keeps personal identifiers in a separate Privacy Addendum, Form CC-1426, so a public divorce record will not show things like Social Security numbers or financial account data. Custody, support, and family abuse matters are heard in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, not the divorce file, and those records carry their own confidentiality. The decree itself, though, is a public Circuit Court record once entered.
Legal Help for Marriage and Divorce
Divorce can get complicated, and court staff cannot advise you. Free and low-cost help is available. Legal aid groups handle civil matters like divorce, custody, and support for people who qualify, and the state bar can refer a lawyer.
Legal Services of Northern Virginia offers civil legal aid to low-income residents in the region.
It is a good first stop for a low-income spouse facing a divorce or custody case.
For a referral to a private attorney, the Virginia State Bar runs lawyer referral resources.
It also handles attorney regulation, so you can confirm a lawyer is in good standing.