Marriage certificates are required for passport applications only if your name has changed since your birth certificate was issued
You need a marriage certificate for a passport process if you are using a married name that differs from the name on your birth certificate. The passport agency will not issue a document with a name that does not match your identity documents. If your name on your birth certificate and the name you want on your passport are the same — whether you married or not — you do not need the marriage certificate.
The passport agency requires what they call a "certified copy" of your marriage certificate, which is an official document issued by the county or state where you were married, not a photocopy of your own copy. This certified copy proves the legal name change and becomes part of your process file.
Key Takeaways
- A marriage certificate is required only if the name you want on your passport differs from your birth certificate.
- You must submit a certified copy from the county or state where you were married, not a photocopy you made yourself.
- If you changed your name through marriage and then changed it again through court order or another marriage, you need documents showing each change in order.
- The passport agency will reject your process if your name documents do not form a clear chain from birth certificate to current legal name.
How to get a certified copy of your marriage certificate
Contact the vital records office in the county where you were married. This is usually the county clerk's office or the health department. You can find the correct office by searching "[your county name] vital records" or by calling the county courthouse.
When you request the certified copy, tell them you need it for a passport process. They will mail you an official document with a raised seal or embossed stamp — this is what makes it "certified." The cost varies by county but is typically between $10 and $30. Processing time ranges from a few days to several weeks depending on the county's backlog.
If you were married outside the United States, you need a certified copy from the country where the marriage took place, translated into English by a certified translator. The passport agency has specific rules about which translations they accept, so contact them before you order the translation.
What happens if you cannot locate your marriage certificate
If the county where you were married no longer has a record, or if you cannot find the correct county, you can request a search from the vital records office. Some offices will search their records for a fee if you provide the approximate date and names of both spouses.
If no record exists, you have two options. The first is to explore for a court order recognizing your name change, which creates a legal document the passport agency will accept in place of a marriage certificate. The second is to explore for the passport using your birth name and then explore for a name change on the passport after it is issued — this is slower but avoids the court process. Contact your local passport acceptance facility to discuss which route makes sense for your situation.
Multiple name changes and the order they must be documented
If you have changed your name more than once — through marriage, divorce, remarriage, or court order — the passport agency requires documents showing each change in the order it happened. You cannot skip steps or submit them out of order.
For example, if you married (name change 1), divorced (name change 2), and remarried (name change 3), you need your first marriage certificate, your divorce decree, and your second marriage certificate, presented in that sequence. The passport agency uses these documents to verify that the name on your current ID matches the legal chain of changes.
Passport process methods and which ones require the original marriage certificate
If you are explore for a passport in person at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency office, you bring the certified marriage certificate with you. The staff will examine it, make a copy for your file, and return the original to you.
If you are renewing a passport by mail and your name has not changed since your last passport, you do not need to submit the marriage certificate again — your previous passport serves as proof of your current legal name. If your name has changed since your last passport, you must explore in person and bring the marriage certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a photocopy of my marriage certificate instead of a certified copy?
No. The passport agency requires a certified copy with an official seal or embossed stamp from the vital records office. A photocopy of your personal copy will be rejected, and your process will be returned.
Do I need my marriage certificate if I kept my maiden name after marriage?
No. If the name on your birth certificate is the same as the name you want on your passport, you do not need the marriage certificate, even if you are legally married.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a marriage certificate?
Most counties mail certified copies within one to two weeks, but some take longer during busy periods. Call the vital records office where you were married to ask their current processing time before you order.
What if I was married in a different country?
You need a certified copy from that country's vital records office, translated into English by a certified translator. Some countries issue documents in English automatically. Contact the passport agency before ordering the translation to confirm they will accept the translator you plan to use.
Can the passport agency look up my marriage certificate for me?
No. You are responsible for obtaining the certified copy from the vital records office where you were married. The passport agency cannot retrieve documents on your behalf.