Fredericksburg’s unique position as an independent city with a diverse population creates substantial demand for vital records. Military families require certificates for benefits and security clearances, while Mary Washington University students need documentation for various academic and financial aid purposes. The city’s proximity to Washington, D.C., means frequent passport applications, and the growing population requires certificates for employment, education, and legal matters throughout Virginia.
Vital Records & Certificates in Fredericksburg, VirginiaFredericksburg Council Clerk
Get birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, and divorce records from the Fredericksburg Council Clerk. We also offer expedited passport services for Fredericksburg residents with 3-day processing.
❓ Why You Need These Certificates
🛂 Need This Certificate for a Passport?
Most Fredericksburg residents need their birth or marriage certificate for passport applications. Let us handle both together in one process.
Birth Certificates in Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg residents access birth certificates through the Fredericksburg Council Clerk at 715 Princess Anne Street, Suite 209, conveniently located in the historic downtown government district. Families whose children were born at Mary Washington Hospital, Stafford Hospital Center, or other regional medical facilities can efficiently obtain certified copies needed for school enrollment at Fredericksburg City Public Schools, youth programs, or military family services. The independent city status means streamlined processing directly through municipal offices rather than county systems. University students at Mary Washington and military families stationed at nearby Quantico frequently require birth certificates for various official purposes. Same-day service is typically available for walk-in requests, making it convenient for residents throughout the greater Fredericksburg metropolitan area extending from Stafford County to Spotsylvania County.
Requirements
Valid government ID, payment, proof of relationship to person named on certificate
Who Can Request
The person named on the certificate, their parent/legal guardian, spouse, child, grandparent, sibling, or authorized legal representative with proper documentation.
Processing Time
Common Uses
- ✓ Passport applications
- ✓ Driver’s license/State ID
- ✓ Social Security card
Marriage Licenses in Fredericksburg
Couples planning weddings at Fredericksburg’s romantic venues such as Chatham Manor, Kenmore Plantation, the Fredericksburg Area Museum, or intimate ceremonies in the Historic District obtain marriage licenses directly from the city clerk at 715 Princess Anne Street. The city’s rich colonial and Civil War history provides stunning backdrops for weddings throughout the year, attracting couples from across Virginia and the greater Washington metropolitan region. Virginia’s marriage license requirements include a 60-day validity period, giving couples flexibility in ceremony planning. Many couples combine license applications with venue visits to historic sites, taking advantage of Fredericksburg’s central location between Washington, D.C., and Richmond for wedding planning coordination.
Requirements
Both parties present with valid ID, certified copies of divorce decrees if previously married
Popular Wedding Venues
Waiting Period
For Passport Name Change
Need to update your passport with your new married name? We can help expedite the process.
Update Passport with New Name →Death Certificates in Fredericksburg
Death certificates for Fredericksburg residents are processed through the city’s vital records office at 715 Princess Anne Street. Local families can obtain certified copies required for Social Security benefits, life insurance claims, and estate administration proceedings. The office handles deaths occurring within city limits or involving city residents who died elsewhere in Virginia. Military families and federal employees often require multiple copies for various benefits and administrative purposes related to survivor benefits and security clearance transfers.
Requirements
Valid ID, proof of relationship or legal authority
Who Can Request
Spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, legal representative of the estate, funeral director, or anyone with a documented legal or personal interest.
Processing Time
Special Instructions
Divorce Decrees in Fredericksburg
Certified divorce decree copies are available through the Fredericksburg Circuit Court system for cases processed within the independent city’s jurisdiction. These documents serve essential purposes for remarriage license applications, name change procedures, child custody modifications, and military family legal matters. The city’s court system maintains comprehensive records accessible to residents and former residents who may have relocated but need historical legal documentation from their time in Fredericksburg.
Requirements
Valid ID, case number helpful
Processing Time
Special Notes
📄 Reverting to maiden name?
You’ll need your divorce decree to update your passport with your previous name.
Name Change Process →How to Order in Fredericksburg
Visit the Fredericksburg Council Clerk at 715 Princess Anne Street, Suite 209, in the heart of the historic downtown district near the courthouse and municipal offices. The office operates Monday through Friday during standard business hours, with convenient downtown parking available in both metered street spaces and nearby municipal lots. From Interstate 95, take Exit 130A toward downtown Fredericksburg and follow Princess Anne Street to the government complex. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. Given downtown traffic patterns, especially during tourist seasons and Mary Washington University events, allow extra time for parking and walking to the municipal building.
In Person
⏱️ Same Day
By Mail
⏱️ 2-3 Weeks
Online
⏱️ 1-2 Weeks
🏛️ Fredericksburg Council Clerk
Address
715 Princess Anne St # 209, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, United States
Phone
Website
Office Hours
Get Directions
From I-95, take Exit 130A toward downtown Fredericksburg. Follow Princess Anne Street to the municipal complex at 715 Princess Anne Street, Suite 209.
⚖️ Government vs. Expedited Service
Choose the option that best fits your timeline
| Feature | Fredericksburg County Clerk (Government Service) | PassportsAndVisas.com (Expedited Service) |
|---|---|---|
| Processing Time | Same day (in-person) 2-3 weeks (mail/online) | 3 days guaranteed |
| Certificate + Passport | ✗ Separate processes | ✓ One-stop service |
| Personal Account Manager | ✗ Not available | ✓ Dedicated support |
| Error Checking | ✗ Your responsibility | ✓ Expert review |
| Tracking | ✗ No tracking | ✓ Real-time updates |
Need to Renew Your Passport?
Got your marriage certificate for name change? Complete your passport renewal in minutes online. We serve Fredericksburg residents with 3-day expedited service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about certificates in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Where exactly is the Fredericksburg city clerk office located downtown?
▼What’s the best parking option when visiting the Princess Anne Street office?
▼Can Mary Washington University students get expedited service?
▼How does Fredericksburg’s independent city status affect vital records?
▼Are there special considerations for military families stationed at Quantico?
▼What if I need a birth certificate for a child born at Mary Washington Hospital?
▼Can I get marriage licenses for weddings at historic venues like Chatham Manor?
▼What are the office hours for the Fredericksburg clerk?
▼How do I get certificates if I’m a Mary Washington University alumnus living elsewhere?
▼What payment methods does the Fredericksburg clerk office accept?
▼Ready to Get Your Certificate & Passport?
Whether you need just a certificate or a complete passport service, we’re here to help Fredericksburg residents get what they need quickly and easily.
📋 Just need the county clerk office?
🏛️ Visit Fredericksburg County Clerk WebsiteHours: Monday-Friday 8AM-8PM EST, Saturday 10AM-6PM EST
Emergency Service: Available 24/7 for urgent passport needs