What Are West Virginia Marriage Records?

West Virginia marriage records serve as official documentation of marital unions within the state and have been kept since 1780. Various state agencies maintained them.

Marriage records usually encompass marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

Per West Virginia Code Chapter 48, Article 2, a marriage license is a legal document obtained before a wedding and grants permission for a couple to marry. Conversely, a marriage certificate, issued after the ceremony, confirms the marriage has been solemnized and legally registered.

These records contain important details about married individuals, which include

• The full names of both spouses
• The date of the ceremony
• Location of the marriage
• Names of witnesses
• Officiant's name
• Legal notations

Marriage records are often required for school enrollment, employment verification, and passport applications. They are also essential documents for individuals researching their family history.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

Marriage certificates in West Virginia are public records but are subject to certain restrictions, as specified in West Virginia Code Chapter 29B, Freedom of Information.

Certificates registered in the last 50 years are restricted to eligible persons such as registrants, legal representatives with proof of representation, and adult children of the married parties. Note that this prescriptive period may differ by county. For instance, Monroe County requires at least 100 years as a prescriptive period.

Under the state's privacy laws, basic details such as names, dates, and locations of marriage may be accessible. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted to protect privacy when non-eligible persons request copies of marriage certificates.

This sensitive information includes Social Security numbers, home addresses, birthdates, and any financial or identifying details that could compromise the privacy of the registrants.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in West Virginia?

Depending on the record's age and purpose, West Virginia marriage records are maintained by different government agencies. The Health Statistics Center (HSC), specifically the Vital Registration Office under the Department of Health and Human Resources, keeps marriage records from 1964 up to the present.

Individuals can find older records at the Department of Arts, Culture, and History. They can also search the appropriate county clerk's office for the oldest to the most recent marriage records. To locate the correct county clerk's office, record seekers can check the West Virginia Association of Counties.

Since multiple agencies handle marriage records, individuals may encounter different procedures, which may include:

• Identify the record's age and the appropriate county.
• Gather the required information.
• Submit the request with proper documentation.
• Provide proof of relationship to the registrants, if required.
• Pay the applicable fees.

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

Marriage certificates in West Virginia are available in certified and information copies.

A certified copy is recognized for name changes, immigration applications, and benefits claims. It includes an official seal and an authorized signature. An information copy, on the other hand, is meant for personal research or genealogical purposes and does not carry legal authority.

Individuals can obtain certified copies of West Virginia marriage certificates through one of these methods:

Online

West Virginia offers an expedited service through VitalChek, the only authorized third-party vendor in WV for online marriage certificate requests.

The processing fee is $13.50, and credit or debit cards are acceptable payment methods. If requesters want to expedite the shipping, they can use UPS or their preferred courier service, which starts at an $18.50 shipping fee.

For assistance, contact VitalChek at these numbers:

• Phone: 877-448-3953
• Fax: 866-870-8723

In addition to VitalChek, some WV counties have their online request for marriage certificates. One of these counties is Cabell County. The county charges $5 for certification and $5 for each additional copy.

In Person

In-person requests offer a fast processing time, provided no amendment is made or pending. With this method, marriage certificates can be obtained the same day at the Vital Registration Office in Charleston.

Individuals can follow these steps to get marriage certificates:

• Fill out the Application for a Certified Marriage Certificate.
• Prepare identification documents such as a government ID or two secondary documents such as:
  • Social security card
  • Utility bills
  • Health care insurance card
  • Voter's registration card
  • Any documents with the registrant's name and current address
• Include a permission slip if non-eligible persons get the certificates.
• Submit the application form and proof of identification.
• Pay a non-refundable processing fee of $12 per copy and an additional $12 for every 3-year period search if selected.
• Wait for the certificates, which take about 15 minutes or more, depending on the time of day.

For county-level in-person requests, requesters may need to contact the county clerk for details, as fees and request forms may vary slightly. In Monroe County, the fee is $5 per copy of the certificate.

By Mail

Registrants can also obtain marriage certificates by mail. When using this method, they should include a completed application form, a color copy of a valid ID, and payment of $12 in check or money order. Mail requests should be sent to:

For county-level mail requests, requesters can use the WV local government directory to check the county's mail address and send their requests to the applicable county office.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

In West Virginia, marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the county clerk's office where the license was obtained.They can be searched using this process:

• Determine the county of issuance.
• Gather required information such as name and county of registration
• Submit a request by completing an application form available in the respective county.
• Provide identification and pay fees, which vary by county.

Interested parties can use the West Virginia IDX document search, which is available in most counties, such as Fayette County. This document search has included marriage records, including marriage licenses. However, the information might be limited.

If an online search is not feasible, individuals can visit the county clerk's office in person to request records or send a written request by mail. Some counties may also provide search assistance via phone or email inquiries.

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

In addition to the county clerk's online request and VitalChek, the state's contracted vendor, West Virginia marriage records can be searched online through various resources:

Government and State Archive Resources

The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History maintains a valuable resource for genealogical research through its Vital Record (Interactive) platform, which specializes in historical marriage records.

Each county within the state contributed different sets of records to this database, which resulted in varying period coverage across the state.

For researchers interested in specific periods, the department offers a comprehensive record availability index that allows individuals to determine which years are accessible quickly.

Commercial and Genealogical Services

For broader searches, record seekers can explore commercial record retrieval services. These platforms aggregate data from various public sources and can be helpful in genealogy research or background checks.

Among the many commercial platforms available is RecordsFinder. This service allows record seekers to access marriage record databases and search these databases using names and locations.

Beyond commercial services, researchers have additional options through local organizations or genealogical societies. These organizations may provide marriage record indexes.

Some services require subscription fees or per-search charges for detailed information.

Note that only copies obtained from official sources, such as the county clerk's office and the West Virginia Vital Registration Office, are considered certified. Copies from unofficial channels are not legally valid for official use.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

A confidential marriage is a legally recognized union where marriage records are unavailable for public inspection. Couples may choose this option for several reasons, such as personal security, privacy concerns, or cultural and religious considerations.

Unfortunately, West Virginia does not allow confidential marriages. All marriages in the state must be registered as public records.

Despite these limitations, couples can still take steps to limit public access to their marriage records. They may request redaction of sensitive information details even after the prescriptive period on marriage records has lapsed or seek a court order to seal specific records.

If a record is redacted or restricted, only authorized individuals or those with a court order can access the protected information.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

A marriage license is a legal document for a couple to marry in West Virginia. Before obtaining a marriage certificate, couples must apply for and be granted a marriage license. The application process and requirements involve:

Eligibility Criteria

The legal age to marry in West Virginia is 18. Individuals under 18 must obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian, who must be present at the time of application. Marriage licenses will not be issued to persons under 16 unless a court order from the circuit court and written consent from the parent or legal guardian are provided.

West Virginia does not require a blood test to obtain a marriage license.

Documentation Requirements

One requirement when applying for a marriage license in West Virginia is to complete an application for a marriage license, which is the same in all counties, and submit it to the county where the couple lives. Non-residents may still apply in any county and marry anywhere in the state.

Both applicants must be present during application and provide valid identification, such as:

• Driver's license
• Birth certificate (for minor applicants)
• West Virginia identification card
• Military identification card
• Passport

If either party was previously married, they must present a final divorce decree signed by a judge.

A West Virginia marriage license is issued the same day a couple applies, provided they process their application at least 30 minutes before the county office's cut-off period.

It is valid for 60 days from the issuance date. If the couple does not marry within this time, they must re-apply.

Marriage License Fees

The cost of a marriage license generally starts at $56. However, couples can receive a $20 discount for completing premarital counseling. To qualify for this discount, they must present a certificate of completion signed by the individual who provided the counseling.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

West Virginia marriage records can contain errors, which can be corrected through an official amendment process. Common mistakes include misspelled names, incorrect dates, clerical errors, or inaccurate personal details. The county clerk's office, where the marriage license was issued, typically handles these corrections.

West Virginia Code Section 16-5-25 outlines the process for correcting an error. Both spouses must submit a joint application for amendment. If one spouse is deceased, the surviving spouse may apply alone. If the marriage has ended due to divorce, dissolution, or annulment, the requesting party may only amend details related to themselves.

Applicants must provide documents supporting the correction. They can obtain and submit a certified court order to the applicable county if no evidence is available.

Amendments are charged $10, except for corrections made within the first year after the marriage was recorded, which are processed at no charge.

Are Marriage Records Under the West Virginia Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) Accessible?

The West Virginia Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), managed by the Secretary of State, helps protect victims of abuse and assault by allowing them to use a substitute address instead of their actual residence.

However, ACP currently applies only to driver's license applications, school enrollment, child support requests, and voter registration. It does not extend to marriage records, which are generally public and accessible to anyone.

While ACP does not directly protect marriage records, individuals concerned about privacy may have options. Consulting a legal professional can help explore ways to limit public access to sensitive information. Additionally, contacting the Secretary of State's office may provide further guidance on available protections.

West Virginia Marriage Statistics and Trends

According to a recent survey, marriage rates have declined to 53%. Of this rate, 18% are those married under 30, which is a significant deviation from the 31% in 1995.

This downward trend reflects broader societal changes, shifting attitudes toward marriage, economic factors, and increased cohabitation. Many younger individuals delay marriage in favor of education, career advancement, or financial stability.

In the context of West Virginia, this table shows the marriage trend in the state:

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