Where to Request Your Marriage Certificate
You get a copy of your 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 original certificate is the only one that can provide certified copies.
If you were married in the United States, start by identifying the county. Marriage certificates are filed at the county level — the state vital records office keeps records but typically refers requests back to the county clerk. If you were married outside the United States, contact the vital records office or equivalent government body in that country.
You do not need a lawyer, a notary, or any intermediary service to request a copy. You can contact the office directly by phone, mail, or in person, and the process usually takes one to four weeks depending on the office's workload and whether they offer rush processing.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the vital records office in the county where you were married — not your state capital or the courthouse — because marriage certificates are filed and stored at the county level.
- You will need to provide the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the location, and you should expect to pay a fee that typically ranges from $10 to $30 per copy.
- Most county offices accept requests by mail, phone, or in-person visit, and many now offer online ordering through their website or a state portal.
- A certified copy with an official seal is what you need for legal purposes like name changes, passport applications, or remarriage; an informational copy is not valid for these uses.
How to Find the Right County Vital Records Office
Start by determining which county issued your certificate. If you remember the city or town where you were married, that tells you the county. If you do not, search online for "[city name] county" or check a map.
Once you have the county name, search "[county name] vital records" or "[county name] clerk marriage certificate." Most county offices have a website with a phone number, mailing address, and sometimes an online order form. If the county website does not appear in your search, try the county assessor's office or county clerk's office — vital records are often housed there.
If you cannot locate the office online, call the county courthouse main line and ask for the vital records or clerk's office. They will give you the correct phone number and address. Do not assume the state vital records office can issue the copy directly — most states require you to contact the county first.
What Information You Need to Provide
When you contact the office, have the following details ready: the full names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the city and county where you were married. If you do not know the exact date, provide the month and year, or the range of months if you are uncertain.
Some offices also ask for the maiden name of the bride if applicable, or the names of parents. The more specific your information, the faster the office can locate your record. If you are requesting a copy on behalf of someone else, the office may require written permission or proof of your relationship to the person named on the certificate.
Ordering Methods: Mail, Phone, and Online
Most county vital records offices accept requests by mail. You typically fill out a form (available on their website), include payment, and mail everything to the address listed. Mail requests usually take two to four weeks, though some offices offer expedited mail service for an additional fee.
Many offices also accept phone orders and take payment by credit card. Call during business hours, provide your information, and ask whether they can mail the copy to you or whether you need to pick it up in person. Some offices allow you to pay by phone and then mail the form separately.
An increasing number of counties offer online ordering through their website or through a state portal. Search "[state name] vital records online order" to see if your state has a centralized system. Online ordering is often the fastest method and shows you the exact fee before you pay.
Understanding Certified Versus Informational Copies
A certified copy bears the official seal of the vital records office and is accepted as legal proof of marriage for passports, name changes, remarriage, and other official purposes. This is what you need in almost all cases.
An informational copy is a photocopy without the official seal and is not valid for legal purposes. Some offices offer informational copies at a lower price if you only need the document for personal reference. If you are unsure which type you need, ask the office — they can tell you based on your stated purpose.
If you need multiple certified copies, order them all at once. The per-copy fee is usually lower when you order several together, and you avoid paying shipping multiple times.
Fees and Payment Methods
Certified copies typically cost between $10 and $30 per copy, depending on the county. Some counties charge more for rush processing or for copies ordered by phone or online. A few counties offer the first copy at a lower rate and charge more for additional copies.
Payment methods vary by office. Most accept check, money order, or credit card by phone or online. Some accept cash if you visit in person. A few still require a check mailed with your form. The office website or phone line will tell you which methods they accept.
If you are ordering by mail, do not send cash. Use a check, money order, or credit card number (if the office accepts it). If you overpay, the office will usually refund the difference or credit it toward future orders.
What to Do If You Cannot Locate Your Record
If the county office cannot find your marriage record after searching, ask them to search again using a broader date range — sometimes records are filed in the year after the marriage took place. Provide any alternate names you may have used at the time of marriage.
If the record still does not appear, the office may suggest contacting the state vital records office, which maintains a statewide index. Some states allow you to search their index online before ordering. If your marriage took place more than 50 or 75 years ago, depending on the state, the record may have been archived or destroyed according to state law.
If you believe the record exists but the office cannot find it, ask whether you can file an affidavit of marriage or obtain a certified statement from the office that the record does not exist. Some states accept these documents as proof of marriage for legal purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a copy of someone else's marriage certificate?
Most states allow you to order a copy if you are one of the people named on the certificate. If you are ordering for someone else, the office may require written permission, a power of attorney, or proof of your relationship. Call the office and explain your situation — they will tell you what documentation they need.
How long does it take to get a certified copy?
Standard processing usually takes one to four weeks by mail, depending on the office's workload. Many offices offer rush processing for an additional fee, which can reduce the time to three to five business days. Online orders sometimes process faster than mail requests. Call the office to ask about their current processing times.
What if I was married outside the United States?
Contact the vital records office or equivalent government agency in the country where you were married. If you do not know how to reach them, contact the embassy or consulate of that country in the United States — they can direct you to the correct office or tell you how to request records by mail.
Do I need the original certificate or is a copy enough?
For legal purposes like passport applications or name changes, you need a certified copy with the official seal. The original certificate and a photocopy are not accepted. Order certified copies from the vital records office — do not try to use a copy you already have unless it bears the office's seal and signature.
Can I order a copy if I do not remember the exact date of marriage?
Yes. Provide the month and year, or the range of years if you are uncertain. The office will search their records within that timeframe. The more specific you can be, the faster they can locate the record. If you have no date at all, call the office and ask whether they can search by names and location alone.