Where to Request Your Marriage Certificate

You request a marriage certificate from the vital records office in the county or state where you were married, not from the courthouse or your local government office. Each state runs its own vital records system, and the office that issued your certificate is the only one that can provide official copies. You will need to contact that specific office by mail, phone, or in person—online ordering is available in some states but not all.

To find the right office, search "[your state] vital records" plus "marriage certificate" or visit the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS) website, which links to every state's vital records office. If you do not know which county you were married in, you can call the state vital records office and they will tell you which county office to contact. Some states allow you to order from the state office even if you do not know the county, though this usually costs more and takes longer.

Key Takeaways

  • Marriage certificates are issued by the county or state vital records office where you were married, and you must request from that specific office.
  • You will need to provide your full name at the time of marriage, your spouse's full name, the date of marriage, and the county where you were married.
  • Processing times range from one to four weeks by mail and one to three days in person, depending on the state and whether the record is recent.
  • Certified copies cost between $10 and $30 per copy in most states, and you should order at least two or three copies since many institutions require originals.
  • If you were married more than 50 to 75 years ago, the record may be archived and take longer to retrieve, or you may need to order through a state archive instead.

Information You Need Before You Order

Have the following details ready when you contact the vital records office: your full name as it appeared on the marriage license, your spouse's full name, the exact date of marriage (month, day, and year), and the county where you were married. If you do not have the exact date, the month and year are usually enough, though it may slow the search. Some offices also ask for your date of birth or your spouse's date of birth to narrow the search.

If you do not remember the county, check old documents like tax returns, insurance policies, or a copy of the marriage license itself if you still have one. If you have none of these, call the state vital records office and give them the names and approximate date—they can often tell you which county to contact. Do not guess at the county, because ordering from the wrong office will delay your request and may cost you an extra fee.

How to Order by Mail

read the request form from the vital records office website or call and ask them to mail you one. Fill in your information, sign and date the form, and include a copy of your photo ID. Mail the form along with a check or money order for the fee (credit card orders are not usually accepted by mail). Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so the office can return your certificate.

Mail everything to the address listed on the form—do not send it to the courthouse or county clerk's office, as it will be rerouted and delayed. Processing by mail typically takes two to four weeks, though some states take longer during busy periods. Track your request by calling the office after two weeks if you have not received it. Keep a copy of your request form and the check number in case you need to follow up.

How to Order in Person

Visit the vital records office during business hours with your photo ID and payment. Bring a check, money order, or cash—some offices accept cards but not all. Tell the clerk you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate and provide your name, your spouse's name, the date of marriage, and the county. The clerk will search the records while you wait or ask you to return later the same day.

In-person service is faster than mail—most offices can hand you a copy within one to three hours, though very old records may take longer. If the office is far from you, calling ahead to confirm they have the record on file can save a wasted trip. Some offices allow you to order by phone and pick up in person, which combines the speed of in-person service with the convenience of not having to travel twice.

What to Do If the Record Is Old or Hard to Find

If you were married more than 50 to 75 years ago, the record may have been moved to a state archive or stored differently. Call the vital records office and ask whether your record is in their active files or archived. Archived records take longer to retrieve—sometimes four to eight weeks—and may require you to order through the state archive instead of the vital records office.

If the office cannot find your record after a search, ask them to send you a "certificate of non-existence" or a written statement that the record was not found. This document can sometimes be used in place of a marriage certificate for legal purposes, though not all institutions will accept it. If you believe the record exists but was not found, ask the office what their appeal process is and whether you can request a second search.

How Many Copies to Order and What They Cost

Order at least two or three certified copies at once, because many institutions—banks, employers, government agencies—require an original certified copy and will not return it. Ordering multiple copies at the same time costs less per copy than ordering them separately later. A certified copy usually costs between $10 and $30 per copy depending on the state, plus a search fee if the office charges one separately.

Ask the office how many certified copies come in one order. Some offices give you one certified copy per order, while others give you multiple copies of the same document. If you need more than what comes in one order, it is cheaper to order them all at once than to place a second order later. Keep your receipt and any confirmation number the office gives you, in case you need to follow up on your order.

What a Certified Copy Looks Like and How to Verify It

A certified marriage certificate is an official photocopy or printout of the original record, stamped and signed by the vital records office. It will have the office's seal, the date it was issued, and the signature of the vital records officer or clerk. The certificate shows both spouses' names, the date and location of marriage, and sometimes the names of witnesses or parents. Some states print the certificate on special security paper to prevent forgery.

When you receive your certificate, check that all the information is correct—names, date, and location. If there is an error, contact the vital records office when ready and ask how to request a correction. Do not write on the certificate or try to correct it yourself, as institutions will reject it. If the certificate looks damaged, faded, or incomplete, contact the office and ask for a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order a marriage certificate for someone else?

Most states allow you to order if you are one of the people named on the certificate or an when ready family member. Some states require a notarized request or proof of relationship. Call the vital records office and ask what they require—do not assume you can order without permission, as some offices will not release the certificate to third parties.

What if my name has changed since I was married?

Provide your name as it appeared on the marriage license, not your current name. The vital records office searches by the names on the original document. If you have changed your name since marriage, you may also need to bring a copy of your name change order or divorce decree when you use the certificate, depending on what institution is asking for it.

How long does a marriage certificate stay valid?

A certified marriage certificate does not expire. However, some institutions may ask for a certificate issued within the last six months or one year. If your certificate is old and an institution rejects it, order a new certified copy from the vital records office—it will be a current copy of the same original record.

Can I get a marriage certificate if I was married outside the United States?

No. You will need to contact the vital records office in the country or region where you were married. If you cannot reach that office, some U.S. states will issue a "Certificate of Marriage" based on a foreign marriage certificate you provide, though this is not the same as an official U.S. certificate and not all institutions will accept it.

What if the vital records office says the marriage was never recorded?

Ask the office to search again using different name spellings or a wider date range. If they still cannot find it, ask for a written statement that the record does not exist. You may then need to file a delayed marriage certificate with the state, which requires a court order and testimony from witnesses. Contact a family law attorney or the vital records office for guidance on this process.