A Virginia wedding reference

Virginia Wedding and Marriage Statistics

A practical, source-linked look at marriage trends and planning facts for Virginia couples.

Updated October 1, 2026

Key figures at a glance

This page brings together the latest available public figures for Virginia marriages, national context and state licensing facts. Every number below links to its primary source and identifies the year it represents.

5.8

Virginia marriages per 1,000 residents

Virginia's reported marriage rate in 2023, based on marriages occurring in the Commonwealth.

Source: CDC/NCHS, 2023 data

6.1

U.S. marriages per 1,000 residents

The national reported marriage rate in 2023. The federal series excludes several states with unavailable data.

Source: CDC/NCHS, 2023

5%

Below the national reported rate

Virginia's 5.8 rate was about 5% below the U.S. reported rate of 6.1 in 2023.

Source: Calculated from CDC/NCHS 2023 rates

42%

Lower than Virginia's 2000 rate

Virginia's reported marriage rate moved from 10.0 per 1,000 residents in 2000 to 5.8 in 2023.

Source: CDC/NCHS, 2000 and 2023

2.7

Virginia divorces per 1,000 residents

Virginia's reported divorce rate in 2023. The federal source notes that divorce figures include annulments.

Source: CDC/NCHS, 2023 data

60

Days a Virginia marriage license remains valid

Virginia law gives couples 60 days from issuance to solemnize a marriage under the license.

Source: Code of Virginia, current

$20

Virginia state marriage-license tax

Virginia law sets a $20 state tax when a marriage license is issued. A local clerk may charge an additional fee.

Source: Code of Virginia, current

52,085

Virginia registered marriages in 2022

A Virginia state report cites 52,085 registered marriages in 2022, alongside 24,887 divorces and annulments.

Source: Virginia Department of Health, 2022

Marriage rate trend

Virginia's reported marriage rate over time

These rates represent marriages occurring in Virginia per 1,000 residents. They are useful context for understanding a long-term statewide trend, not a count of weddings held at any one type of venue.

Year	Virginia marriage rate	Change from 2000
2000	10.0 per 1,000 residents	Baseline
2019	7.7 per 1,000 residents	23% lower
2020	6.0 per 1,000 residents	40% lower
2023	5.8 per 1,000 residents	42% lower

View the CDC/NCHS state marriage-rate series.

Methodology and sources

How these figures were selected

We use primary public sources where available. The marriage and divorce rates are reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Rates are per 1,000 residents and should be read with the source notes for coverage details.

CDC/NCHS Virginia statisticsVirginia's reported 2023 marriage and divorce rates. The page was reviewed by CDC on April 10, 2026.
Code of Virginia, Section 20-14.1Marriage-license duration, accessed October 1, 2026.
Code of Virginia, Section 20-15Virginia's $20 state marriage-license tax, collected when the license is issued. Local clerk fees may also apply, accessed October 1, 2026.
Virginia Department of Health annual-records referenceState-reported 2022 registered marriage and divorce totals, cited in a Virginia Department of Planning and Budget report.

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Sharing these figures

When referencing a figure, link directly to its statistic above and include the source year shown with it.

Oak Creek Farm Weddings, LLC. "Virginia Wedding and Marriage Statistics." Updated October 1, 2026. https://oakcreekfarmva.com/virginia-wedding-statistics

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