Marriage Certificate FAQs

Here there is our top Marriage Certificate FAQs. This will help you to have some guidance when requesting yours.

How to fill out a marriage certificate?

To fill out a marriage certificate you will need to have your marriage license first. Your marriage license will become a marriage certificate when it has all information added and the approval of the clerk. So, to fill out your marriage license you have to have it before your wedding ceremony. Then, you will need to complete the 2 parts of the document. The first part is for the parties. It is divided into two sections; first, it’s each party’s main information such as full name, address, date of birth, etc. While the second part is for the officiant. This person will fill it after the ceremony. This part is also where the witnesses sign. Once completed, the license goes back to the office and it will legally officialize the union between the couple.

Where to get a marriage certificate?

A marriage certificate is one of the 4 vital records that they are in the United States. In this sense, it is a document that you can request at the vital records office. You have to keep in mind that, as a vital record, each state has the authority to issue them. So, each state rules how the information is presented and the price for each copy. Also, you could get your marriage record at the county clerk where it was originally signed.

What is a marriage certificate?

It is a legal document that certifies you are legally married in the United States. You have had to already fill, sign, and seal it by the State. As it is the only document for proving legal union between people in matrimony, might be needed for many purposes. It also exists other type of certificate that is issued by a religious administration. It is a very charming paper that includes less information about the marriage and the spouses. This last one has more of a commemoration purpose, rather than a legal testimony.

Can I get a copy of my marriage certificate online?

Yes, and at US Vital Records, we offer you a very simple way to request your marriage certificate. We provide professional assistance to guide you during all your applications and steps when asking for your vital record. By doing so, you will be able to avoid any delays or additional fees.

How to find a marriage certificate?

Your certificate will be at the vital records office since it is one of the 4 vital records that exist. You can request it by going directly to the office. However, the office has to be in the same state as your wedding. Otherwise, you could request it online. Through US Vital Records, we facilitate physical displacements in the same state or in-between states.
 Besides the vital records office, you can address the county clerk who has approved your marriage for its legal certification.

How much does a marriage certificate cost?

Since each state manages this record and not by a federal level, the price for issuing a copy varies. Normally, the price for a marriage-certified license or certificate is around $20.00. However, it depends on the method of application, the place for delivery, and especially the State.

Do I need a marriage certificate for a divorce?

Yes. During the process of divorce, you will need to provide all personal information you have between you and your spouse. Among other things, they will ask you to bring your current marriage certificate and other documents related to any marriage you might have had in the past.

How to get a marriage certificate after 20 years?

All marriage records after 1950 are kept by the local authorities who originally issued them. So, if you need your record after 20 years, you will have to proceed as for any normal vital record. This is, at the vital records office of the state you married, or online.

Are marriage licenses and certificates the same?

No. A marriage license is a document you need to have before your wedding ceremony. It has no contractual value unless you fully fill and sign it by an officiant. Before the ceremony, the couple must apply for this document. If not, the ceremony does not exist in the eyes of the authorities. On the other hand, a marriage certificate is a document that does validate the ceremony in a legal aspect. However, a marriage certificate can also be the type of document that religious authorities usually issue. They are very creative paper but, besides their beauty, it has no legal purpose. You will need to add your marriage license signed too.

Need a marriage certificate?

Get a certified copy of a marriage certificate from home. Avoid a trip to the local office by using our online application.

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