How to Apply for a Chesapeake Marriage License
In Chesapeake, the Circuit Court Clerk issues marriage licenses. The process starts online. The couple must complete the Chesapeake marriage license application on the web and schedule an appointment before coming to the Clerk's office. Walk-ins are not the path here. Any Virginia Circuit Court can issue a Virginia marriage license, but a Chesapeake appointment is needed for the Chesapeake Clerk.
The marriage page explains the application, the fee, the ID rules, and the appointment requirement, on the city's Marriage Licenses page.
Once you have the basics ready, the application runs in clear steps.
- Complete the online Chesapeake marriage license application.
- Schedule an appointment with the Circuit Court Clerk.
- Bring valid photo ID and payment, and leave banned items behind.
- Receive the license and hold the ceremony within 60 days, in Virginia.
- Have the officiant complete and return the license, then request a certified copy.
Marriage License Eligibility and Validity
Virginia sets clear rules on who may marry. Any person age 18 or older who is not already married, not incompetent, and not related within a prohibited degree may get a license. The Chesapeake page cites Va. Code § 20-13 for the license requirement and Va. Code § 20-45.1 for prohibited relationships.
The prohibited-degree rule blocks marriages between close relatives, and the law spells out those limits.
A license is valid for 60 days from issuance and only for a ceremony performed in Virginia. The ceremony must be done by an officiant authorized by a Virginia Circuit Court. Deputy clerks do not perform ceremonies.
There is no residency rule to get the license itself, since any Virginia Circuit Court can issue one regardless of where the couple lives. The 60-day window is firm, though. If the ceremony does not happen in time, the couple must return for a new license before they marry.
What to Bring and Security Rules
Bring the right documents and payment to avoid a wasted trip. The "What to Bring" section lists $30 cash, a valid picture ID, and a Social Security card if you are unsure of the number. A passport, military ID, or driver's license works for the photo ID.
Security at the building is strict. The marriage page says phones, smart watches, purses, and bags are not permitted in the building. Plan to leave those items in your vehicle, and carry only the documents and payment you need for the appointment.
Note: Bring $30 in cash and confirm with the Clerk whether a card is accepted, since the official page gives conflicting payment language.
Chesapeake Marriage and Records Fees
The fees here are small and clear, with one payment caveat. The license is $30. The official page says cash or credit card in one notice and cash only in another, so bring cash and confirm the card option first. Certified copies and plain copies follow the Clerk's standard schedule.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Marriage license | $30 (confirm payment method) |
| Certified marriage copy | $2.50 |
| Plain copy per page | $0.50 |
| Certification / raised seal | $2.00 |
Clerk fees are set by statute, including the recordation fee referenced in Va. Code § 17.1-275.
Filing fees for a divorce are separate from these copy and license fees.
Marriage Application Fields
The online application asks for the basics before your appointment. The exact web fields are completed online, but the key items are known. The table below shows what the process requires.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Notes / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online marriage license application | Web form | Yes | Complete before the appointment. |
| Appointment scheduling | Web / calendar | Yes | Required before coming in. |
| Valid picture ID | Document | Yes | Passport, military ID, or driver's license. |
| Social Security number | Data field | Yes | Bring the SSN card if you are unsure. |
Certified Marriage Copies
After the ceremony, the officiant returns the license, and the Clerk records it. Certified copies are then available for $2.50 each. You can request one in person with cash or check. A mailed request needs a check or money order payable to the Clerk of Circuit Court and a self-addressed return envelope.
A written request must state both spouses' names before the marriage and the year of the marriage. Personal checks must include the account holder's name, address, and phone. Mail requests go to the Marriage License Division at 307 Albemarle Drive, Suite 300A, Chesapeake, VA 23322.
A certified copy is the version most agencies accept. Banks, the Social Security office, and the DMV often want the raised-seal copy rather than the plain printout. Order an extra copy if you expect to update several accounts after the wedding.
Civil Marriage Commissioners
Because deputy clerks do not perform ceremonies, couples who want a civil ceremony can contact a marriage commissioner. These are individuals authorized by a Virginia Circuit Court to officiate. The Chesapeake page lists several.
- Michael K. Brown, 757-449-8651.
- Phyllis Hamric, 757-547-2968.
- Hugo A. Owens, Jr., 757-724-9612 or 757-410-0029.
A name change after marriage is handled through Social Security and the DMV, not the Circuit Court. The Clerk records the marriage, while the ID updates happen at those agencies. This surprises many couples, who assume the license itself changes a legal name. It does not, so plan a separate trip to update each ID after the wedding.
Divorce in Chesapeake Circuit Court
Divorce is a Circuit Court civil matter. The Clerk links a Contested Divorce Manual and an Uncontested Divorce Manual to guide self-represented filers. The court file can include the complaint, service, an answer, property or settlement papers, custody and support orders if part of the case, and the final decree.
Virginia divorce law sets residency requirements and both fault and no-fault grounds. For the exact current rules, the Virginia court self-help site and the Clerk's manuals are the right references. Sensitive details in a divorce file may be sealed or redacted, especially when children are involved. A no-fault divorce in Virginia generally requires a period of living apart before the court will grant it.
How to File for a Chesapeake Divorce
A divorce moves through the Circuit Court in a set order. The path differs for a contested case and an uncontested one, but the spine is the same. The Clerk's manuals walk through the forms, and the court self-help site adds plain-language guidance. Many people hire a lawyer, while others file on their own.
- Confirm the Chesapeake Circuit Court is the proper venue for the case.
- Use the contested or uncontested divorce manual that fits your situation.
- File the complaint and required forms with the Clerk.
- Serve the other party or obtain a waiver or acceptance where allowed.
- Resolve property, custody, support, and any evidence the court needs.
- Submit the final decree or attend a hearing as required.
- Request a certified copy of the decree from the Clerk.
Certified Divorce Records
The Clerk of the Circuit Court holds the final divorce decree and issues certified copies. A certified decree is often needed to remarry, change a name, or settle finances. Plain copies are $0.50 per page, and certification adds $2.00.
Not every document in a divorce file is open for broad public display. The final decree is a Circuit Court record, but supporting filings with custody, support, or financial detail may carry limits. For how to search and request circuit files, see the Chesapeake court records and Clerk of the Circuit Court pages.
To request a divorce decree by mail, send the names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if you have it. Include payment for the copy and certification fees plus a return envelope. A clear request with the case number gets the fastest reply from the Clerk.