Where to Request Your Marriage Certificate

The office that issued your marriage certificate is almost always the vital records office in the county where you were married, not the state capital. Most counties call this the clerk's office, registrar's office, or vital records department. You contact them directly by phone, mail, or in person—there is no central state office that holds all marriage records.

Start by identifying the county. If you remember the city or town where you married, that tells you the county. If you do not, you can search online for "[city name] county" or call the city hall of the place where the wedding happened and ask which county it is in. Once you have the county name, search for "[county name] vital records" or "[county name] clerk's office" to find the phone number and mailing address.

Most vital records offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours. Call before you go in person or mail a request, because some offices require you to fill out a specific form, and some have a waiting period of several weeks. A few counties now accept requests through their websites, though most still require a phone call or mailed form.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact the vital records or clerk's office in the county where you were married, not your state capital or a federal office.
  • You will need to provide the full names of both people who married, the date of the marriage, and sometimes the city or town where it took place.
  • Most offices charge between $10 and $25 per copy and take one to three weeks to mail the certificate to you.
  • If you do not know which county, call the city hall in the town where you married and ask them to tell you the county name.
  • Some counties allow you to request a copy online through their website, but most require a phone call, mailed form, or in-person visit.

What Information You Need to Provide

When you contact the vital records office, have ready the full legal names of both people who married, the date of the marriage (month, day, and year), and the city or town where the ceremony took place. If you do not remember the exact date, give the year and approximate month. The office staff can usually search by name and year alone, though it takes longer.

Some offices ask for your relationship to the people who married—for example, whether you are one of the people on the certificate, a child, or a family member. This helps them verify you have a reason to request the record. You may also need to show a photo ID when you pick up the certificate in person, or include a photocopy of your ID if you mail your request.

Cost and Processing Time

Marriage certificate copies cost between $10 and $25 per copy, depending on the county. Some offices charge more if you need the certificate rushed or if you request it by phone instead of mail. A few counties offer rush service for an extra fee, usually delivering within three to five business days instead of the standard one to three weeks.

Standard processing by mail takes one to three weeks from the day the office receives your request. Processing time varies widely by county—rural counties may be slower, and urban counties with high volume may take longer even though they have more staff. Call ahead to ask the current wait time, because it changes with the season and staffing.

Requesting by Mail

To request by mail, write a letter or fill out the county's form (if they have one on their website). Include the full names of both people who married, the marriage date, the city or town, your relationship to them, your full name and address, and a phone number. Include a check or money order for the fee—do not send cash. Attach a photocopy of your ID.

Mail your request to the address listed on the county's website or given to you when you called. Keep a copy of everything you send. The office will mail the certificate to your address. If you need it faster, ask when you call whether the county offers rush service and what the extra cost is.

Requesting in Person

If you live near the county where you married, you can visit the vital records office in person. Bring your photo ID, the full names of both people who married, and the marriage date. Most offices will hand you the certificate the same day if they have it in their system and you pay the fee on the spot. Some offices require you to fill out a form before they search.

Call ahead to confirm the office's hours and whether you need an appointment. Some counties now require appointments even for in-person requests. Ask whether they accept cash, check, or card, so you bring the right payment method.

What to Do If You Cannot Find the Right County

If you do not remember which county you married in, start by calling the city or town hall where the wedding took place. Give them the names and approximate year, and they can usually tell you which county's vital records office holds the record. If you married in a different state, search for "[state name] vital records" to find the state office, which can direct you to the correct county.

If you married decades ago or in a very small town, the record may be stored in a historical society or archived office instead of the current vital records department. The county clerk's office can tell you if this is the case and where to contact instead.

Certified vs. Uncertified Copies

When you request a marriage certificate, ask whether you need a certified copy or an uncertified copy. A certified copy has an official seal and signature from the vital records office and is required for most legal purposes—changing your name, explore for a passport, or proving your marriage in court. An uncertified copy is just a photocopy and costs less, but most government offices and banks will not accept it.

Always request a certified copy unless you have a specific reason not to. The cost difference is usually only a few dollars, and you avoid having to request again later when you find out the uncertified version is not accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a copy of someone else's marriage certificate?

Most vital records offices will only give a certified copy to one of the people who married, their children, or their spouse. If you need it for a legal reason—such as proving inheritance or settling an estate—you may need to show court documents or a lawyer's letter. Call the vital records office and explain why you need it; they can tell you what proof they require.

What if the marriage certificate has a mistake on it?

You cannot correct a mistake by requesting a new copy. You must file an amendment with the vital records office. Contact the county where you married and ask for their amendment form. You will usually need to provide proof of the correct information—such as a birth certificate or court order—and pay a fee. The process takes several weeks.

How many copies should I request?

Order at least two or three certified copies. You will need one for your records, and you may need to submit originals to banks, government offices, or lawyers. Having extras on hand saves you from having to request again later. The cost per copy is usually the same whether you order one or five.

Can I request a marriage certificate online?

Some counties now accept online requests through their websites, but most do not. Search "[county name] vital records online request" to see if yours does. Even if the county has a website, you may still need to mail a form or call to place the order. A few states have centralized online systems, but these are rare.

What if I married in a different state?

Search for "[state name] vital records" to find that state's vital records office or website. They can tell you which county holds your record and provide contact information. Each state has different fees and processing times, so call or check their website for specifics.