Va. Code » Title 20. Domestic Relations » Chapter 2. Marriage Generally
Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 20-20 (2026)

Clerk to file license and certificate; indexing names of parties; certified copies as evidence

✓ current as of May 2026
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The clerk to whom the license and certificate are returned, shall file and preserve the original in his office, and make an index of the names of both of the parties married.

When the certificates of such person celebrating such marriage are returned to the clerk, and recorded as provided in this section and § 32.1-267, copies of the same properly certified by the clerk lawfully having the custody thereof or properly certified by the State Registrar of Vital Records shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein set forth in all courts of this Commonwealth.

Code 1919, §§ 5074, 5076; 1928, p. 315; 1938, p. 152; 1968, c. 318.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases, 1972–2016 · leading case: Richard S. Levick v. Deborah MacDougall, 782 S.E.2d 182 (Va. Ct. App. 2016).
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Richard S. Levick v. Deborah MacDougall, 782 S.E.2d 182 (Va. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “” Code § 20-20. However, these are not conclusive presumptions.”
Gottlieb v. Crouch, 44 Va. Cir. 268 (Arlington Cir. Ct. 1998). · cites it 3× “Va. Code § 20-20. Significantly, the clerk is granted the ability to amend marriage records, “based on evidence deemed by the clerk to be adequate and sufficient.”
Deborah MacDougall v. Richard S. Levick (Va. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “” Code § 20-20. However, these are not conclusive presumptions.”
Richard S. Levick v. Deborah MacDougall, 776 S.E.2d 456 (Va. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “” Code § 20-20. However, these are not conclusive presumptions.”
Deborah MacDougall v. Richard S. Levick (Va. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “” Code § 20-20. However, these are not conclusive presumptions.”
Deborah MacDougall v. Richard S. Levick (Va. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “” Code § 20-20. However, these are not conclusive presumptions.”
Commonwealth v. Proctor, 24 Va. Cir. 508 (Amherst Cir. Ct. 1972). · cites it 2× “Commonwealth’s Exhibit 1, the proof of the marriage of the defendant on May 12, 1972, in Amherst County, Virginia, is clearly admissible under Section 20-20 of the Code. Commonwealth’s Exhibit 2, offered as proof of the prior marriage of the defendant on March 13, 1969, in North…”
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