The Marriage Licenses, generally, are printed forms in three parts: first, a statement of two witnesses swearing that the parties applying for the license are over the age of twenty-one, signed by the justice of the peace granting the license; second, a bond posted by the groom and attested to by one witness as security that no legal impediment to the marriage existed when the license was granted (should no such impediment appear within two years, the obligation was voided); third, a statement giving consent for a minor to be married, including the minor’s age and the signature of the family member consenting to the marriage and of the justice of the peace. In the case of minors, age is recorded. Sometimes, the name of the minister or magistrate licensed to perform the ceremony is also recorded. The forms, of course, are dated.

Marriage Licenses carry call number VEA-VEI 678, the letters indicating which Justice of the Peace issued the license. The page numbers listed appear on the physical records and the physical index, but not on the microfilm. As such, it is imperative that researchers record the call number and date of the individual marriage record in order to gain access to the microfilm.