Start with the county clerk where you were married
The county clerk's office in the county where you got married holds the original record of your marriage. This is almost always the fastest and cheapest way to get a certified copy. You do not need to go in person — most county clerks accept requests by mail, phone, or their website.
Search online for "[your county name] clerk marriage certificate" to find the right office and their current fees. Fees typically range from $10 to $25 per copy, depending on the county. Processing time is usually three to ten business days if you order by mail, though some counties offer rush service for an extra fee.
You will need to provide the full names of both people who were married, the date of the marriage, and the city or town where it took place. Some counties also ask for the case or license number if you have it, though it is not always required.
Key Takeaways
- The county clerk in the county where you married is your first stop and usually the cheapest source.
- Most county clerks let you order by mail, phone, or website without visiting in person.
- Expect to pay $10 to $25 per copy and wait three to ten business days for standard processing.
- If the county clerk cannot find your record, try the state vital records office or the courthouse where the license was issued.
- Some states let you order online through a state portal, which can be faster than contacting the county directly.
Order through your state's vital records office if the county has no record
If the county clerk says they have no record of your marriage, contact your state's vital records office. This office maintains statewide records and can sometimes locate marriages that a single county office cannot find. Search online for "[your state name] vital records marriage certificate" to find the right office and their website.
State vital records offices typically charge more than county clerks — often $15 to $35 per copy — and take longer to process requests, sometimes two to four weeks. However, some states now offer online ordering through their vital records portal, which speeds up the process and lets you track your order.
You will need the same information as you would for a county clerk: both names, the marriage date, and the location. If you do not remember the exact date, provide the year and the approximate month.
Use an online vital records service if you need the copy quickly
Third-party services like VitalChek, eSpeed Vital Records, and similar companies act as intermediaries between you and the government office that holds your record. They charge a service fee on top of the government fee — typically $20 to $50 total — but they handle the paperwork and often deliver results faster than ordering directly.
These services work by submitting your request to the correct county or state office on your behalf. They cannot retrieve records that the government office does not have, and they cannot speed up the government's processing time, but they do eliminate the step of you figuring out which office to contact and what forms to fill out.
Use these services only if you are willing to pay extra for convenience. If you have time to wait and want to save money, ordering directly from the county or state is always cheaper.
Check the courthouse if your marriage was very recent
If you were married within the last few months, the courthouse where your license was issued may have a copy before the county clerk's permanent records are complete. Call the courthouse directly and ask for the clerk of court's office or the marriage license division.
The courthouse can usually provide a certified copy on the spot or within a few days if you visit in person. If you cannot visit, ask whether they accept mail requests. Some courthouses charge less than the county clerk for this service, though the fee varies by location.
This route works best if you know which courthouse issued your license. If you are not sure, start with the county clerk instead — they can tell you where the license was filed.
What to do if you cannot find your marriage record
If the county clerk and state vital records office both say they have no record, your marriage may not have been registered, or it may have been registered under different names than you remember. Ask the office whether they can search by alternate spellings or maiden names.
If the record truly does not exist, you may be able to get a court order declaring the marriage valid. This requires filing a petition in the county where you were married and is more expensive and time-consuming than ordering a copy. Contact a family law attorney or your local legal aid office for guidance on this step.
In some cases, you can use other documents in place of a marriage certificate — a divorce decree, a joint tax return from the year you married, or a birth certificate listing both parents — depending on what you need the certificate for. Ask the organization requesting the document whether they will accept an alternative.
Understand what "certified" means and when you need it
A certified copy is an official document stamped and signed by the government office that holds the original record. It is a legal proof of your marriage and is what banks, employers, courts, and government agencies require.
An uncertified copy is a photocopy of the record without the official seal. It is not accepted as legal proof and is useful only for your own records or for reference. Always order a certified copy unless you are certain you do not need one.
Most county clerks and state vital records offices charge the same fee for certified and uncertified copies, so there is no reason to order an uncertified version. When you place your order, specify that you want a certified copy.
Plan ahead for name changes and multiple copies
If you changed your name after marriage, your marriage certificate will show your name at the time of the marriage, not your current name. This is normal and does not affect the document's validity. If you need proof of both your married name and your current name, you may also need a copy of your name change order or divorce decree.
If you need multiple copies for different purposes — one for a bank, one for an employer, one for your records — order several at once. Most county clerks charge per copy, so ordering five copies at the same time is cheaper than ordering one copy five times. Typical bulk orders take the same processing time as a single copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a marriage certificate copy cost?
County clerks typically charge $10 to $25 per certified copy. State vital records offices charge $15 to $35. Third-party services add $20 to $50 on top of the government fee. Fees vary by location, so check your specific county or state office for their exact price.
Can I get a marriage certificate copy if I do not know the exact date?
Yes. Provide the year and approximate month, and the county clerk can search within that range. If you know the location but not the date, that also helps narrow the search. The more information you provide, the faster they can find your record.
How long does it take to get a certified copy?
County clerks usually process requests in three to ten business days by mail. State vital records offices take two to four weeks. Some counties offer rush service for an extra fee, which can cut the time to one to three business days. Online ordering through state portals is sometimes faster than mail requests.
What if I was married in a different state or country?
Contact the vital records office in the state or country where you were married. Most U.S. states have a vital records office you can reach by searching "[state name] vital records." For marriages outside the U.S., contact the government office in that country that handles vital records, or ask the U.S. embassy or consulate for guidance.
Do I need the original marriage certificate or is a copy acceptable?
A certified copy is acceptable for all legal purposes — banks, courts, government agencies, and employers all accept certified copies. You do not need the original document. Keep your certified copies in a safe place and order extras if you lose one.