Suffolk’s unique position as Hampton Roads’ largest city by area, combined with its proximity to major military installations and growing suburban population, creates frequent demand for vital records. From passport applications for international travel from Norfolk International Airport to school enrollment in Suffolk Public Schools, from VA loan applications for the area’s booming housing market to genealogy research tracing families back to colonial Nansemond County, certified documents remain essential for navigating modern life in this historic Tidewater community.
Vital Records & Certificates in Suffolk, VirginiaSuffolk Circuit Court Clerk
Get birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, and divorce records from the Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk. We also offer expedited passport services for Suffolk residents with 3-day processing.
❓ Why You Need These Certificates
🛂 Need This Certificate for a Passport?
Most Suffolk residents need their birth or marriage certificate for passport applications. Let us handle both together in one process.
Birth Certificates in Suffolk
Suffolk residents obtain birth certificates through the Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk at 150 N Main St in downtown Suffolk. Whether your child was delivered at Sentara Obici Hospital on Harbour View Boulevard or Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth, all births within Suffolk city limits are registered through the Virginia Department of Health and accessible via the local circuit court. The Suffolk clerk’s office maintains convenient downtown hours and accepts both walk-in requests and mail-in applications. Given Suffolk’s substantial military population due to nearby Naval Station Norfolk and Langley Air Force Base, expedited processing is often available for families with deployment orders or PCS moves.
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 Suffolk
Couples planning weddings at popular Suffolk venues like the historic Riddick’s Folly House Museum, the elegant Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, or waterfront ceremonies along Bennett’s Creek obtain their marriage licenses from the Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk. Virginia requires a three-day waiting period after license issuance, though this can be waived by a judge. The clerk’s office on North Main Street processes all marriage documents for Suffolk residents, with many couples choosing the building’s historic courthouse setting for their civil ceremonies before celebrating at venues like the Suffolk Golf Course or Nansemond River Golf Club.
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 Suffolk
Death certificates for Suffolk decedents are processed through the Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk’s office on North Main Street. Whether the passing occurred at Sentara Obici Hospital, a local nursing facility, or at home under hospice care, families can obtain certified copies for insurance claims, estate proceedings, and Social Security administration. The clerk’s staff understands the sensitivity of these requests and provides compassionate service during difficult times, with expedited processing available when needed for time-sensitive matters like military burial benefits.
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 Suffolk
Suffolk Circuit Court handles all divorce proceedings for city residents, with certified copies of final divorce decrees available through the clerk’s office at 150 N Main St. The court’s family division processes both contested and uncontested divorces, with mediation services often utilized given Suffolk’s family-oriented community values. Having the case number from your original proceedings expedites the copy request process significantly.
Requirements
Valid ID, case number helpful, payment
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 Suffolk
The Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk’s office at 150 N Main Street operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with extended hours until 7:00 PM on select Thursdays for working families’ convenience. Downtown Suffolk offers ample street parking along Main Street and in the municipal parking areas behind the courthouse. The office accepts cash, checks, and major credit cards for payment. Mail-in requests are processed within 5-7 business days, while walk-in service often provides same-day processing for most vital records. The building is fully ADA accessible with designated parking spaces available.
In Person
⏱️ Same Day
By Mail
⏱️ 2-3 Weeks
Online
⏱️ 1-2 Weeks
🏛️ Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk
Address
150 N Main St, Suffolk, VA 23434, United States
Phone
Website
Office Hours
Get Directions
The Suffolk Circuit Court Clerk is located at 150 N Main Street in downtown Suffolk, easily accessible from Route 58 (Portsmouth Boulevard) or Route 460. From I-664, take Exit 13B toward downtown Suffolk.
⚖️ Government vs. Expedited Service
Choose the option that best fits your timeline
| Feature | Suffolk 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 Suffolk residents with 3-day expedited service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about certificates in Suffolk, Virginia
Where exactly is the Suffolk Circuit Court building in relation to downtown landmarks?
▼Can I get birth certificates for children born at Sentara Obici Hospital through the Suffolk clerk?
▼What’s the best parking situation for the Suffolk courthouse?
▼Do military families get expedited service at the Suffolk clerk’s office?
▼Can I order Suffolk vital records online?
▼What if I need a death certificate for someone who passed at a Suffolk nursing home?
▼How long does mail-in processing take for Suffolk vital records?
▼Are divorce records from old Nansemond County available through Suffolk?
▼What payment methods does the Suffolk clerk’s office accept?
▼Can I get marriage licenses for ceremonies at Bennett’s Creek Park through Suffolk?
▼Ready to Get Your Certificate & Passport?
Whether you need just a certificate or a complete passport service, we’re here to help Suffolk residents get what they need quickly and easily.
📋 Just need the county clerk office?
🏛️ Visit Suffolk County Clerk WebsiteHours: Monday-Friday 8AM-8PM EST, Saturday 10AM-6PM EST
Emergency Service: Available 24/7 for urgent passport needs