Marriage records in Henry County, Virginia, are maintained by the local Circuit Court Clerk's office and can be accessed through several channels. HenryVACourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for Henry County. You can also request records directly from the Henry County Circuit Court Clerk's office in person, by mail, or through the Virginia Department of Health's vital records system online. The state's Office of Vital Records maintains marriage records from 1936 forward and offers an additional ordering option.
Henry County Marriage Records Search
In Virginia, Circuit Court Clerks issue marriage licenses and maintain local marriage records. The Henry County Circuit Court Clerk's office, part of the 21st Judicial Circuit, is the custodian of marriage records for the county. The collection includes:
- Marriage licenses issued in Henry County
- Marriage certificates (returned licenses) filed after ceremonies
- Historical marriage records, including bonds, registers, and ministers' returns dating back to the county's formation
For genealogical research involving older Henry County marriage records, the Library of Virginia's Henry County microfilm collection includes marriage records and vital statistics on microfilm.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Henry County
Fees for marriage record copies vary depending on whether you order from the Henry County Circuit Court Clerk or from the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Vital Records. Below are the standard fees:
| Service | Circuit Court Clerk | VA Dept. of Health (VDH) |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy | $2.50 | $12.00 |
| Each additional copy (same order) | $2.50 | $12.00 |
| Search fee | Included | Included |
Circuit Court Clerk fees are set under Virginia Code § 17.1-275. VDH fees are set by the Office of Vital Records. Processing times at the Clerk's office are typically same-day for in-person requests when the record is readily located. Mail requests through VDH can take several weeks.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Henry County
There are three main ways to obtain a marriage certificate from Henry County:
Online
The Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records offers online ordering for marriage records from 1936 to the present. Orders are processed through their authorized online portal. You will need the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of marriage, and the locality where the license was issued.
In Person
Visit the Henry County Circuit Court Clerk's office at the address listed above during regular business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. The clerk can search for and issue certified copies while you wait, provided the record is on file. No appointment is needed for routine record requests.
By Mail
You can request marriage records by mail from either office:
- Circuit Court Clerk: Send a written request to the Henry County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 3160 Kings Mountain Road, Suite B, Martinsville, VA 24112. Include the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage (or approximate year), a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order for the fee payable to "Clerk of Court," and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Virginia Department of Health: Mail requests to the Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218-1000. Include a completed application (available on the VDH vital records website), payment, a copy of your ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
If you are unsure which office holds the record you need, start with the Circuit Court Clerk for marriages that took place in Henry County. For records where you are uncertain of the county, the state Office of Vital Records can search statewide records from 1936 onward. Older or historical records may require contacting the Library of Virginia directly.