Start with the county clerk where you were married
The county clerk's office in the county where you got married is the official keeper of your marriage record. This is almost always your fastest and most direct route. You do not need to go in person — most county clerks now accept requests by mail, email, or through their website, and many offer rush processing for an extra fee.
To find your county clerk, search "[your county name] county clerk" plus "vital records" or "marriage certificate". The office name varies slightly by state — some call it the clerk of court, register of deeds, or vital records office — but a web search for your county will land you on the right page. Once you are there, look for a section labeled "vital records," "marriage certificates," or "order records online."
You will need to provide the full names of both people who were married, the date of the marriage (or the year if you are not certain of the exact date), and the location. Have a photo ID ready, because most offices require you to verify who you are before releasing the record.
Key Takeaways
- The county clerk in the county where you were married holds the official record and is your primary source for a certified copy.
- Most county clerks accept mail, email, or online requests and do not require you to visit in person.
- You will need both spouses' full names, the marriage date or year, and the location of the marriage.
- If you do not know which county you were married in, the state vital records office can search statewide records for a fee.
- Certified copies usually cost between $10 and $30 and take one to two weeks by mail, or same-day if you request rush processing.
Order online through your county clerk's website
Most county clerks now have an online ordering system on their website. Search for your county clerk's vital records page and look for a button or link that says "order online," "request a certificate," or "vital records request." You will fill out a form with the names, date, and location, then pay by credit card. The certificate will be mailed to you or, in some cases, held for pickup.
Online ordering usually takes five to ten business days. If you need the certificate sooner, look for a "rush" or "expedited" option — this typically costs an extra $5 to $15 and cuts the time to two to three business days. Some counties offer same-day pickup if you order before noon.
Keep the confirmation number or receipt they give you. If your order does not arrive within the stated timeframe, you will need it to follow up with the clerk's office.
Request by mail if you prefer not to order online
If the county clerk does not have online ordering, or if you prefer to mail a request, you can send a letter to the vital records office. Include the full names of both people, the marriage date, the location, your relationship to the people on the certificate (such as "spouse" or "child"), and your phone number. Enclose a check or money order for the fee — call the clerk's office first to confirm the exact amount, as fees vary by county.
Mail requests typically take two to three weeks. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so the clerk can mail the certificate back to you. Some offices accept faxed requests as well — check their website to see if that option is available.
Use the state vital records office if you do not know the county
If you do not remember which county you were married in, the state vital records office can search statewide records for you. This search usually costs $10 to $25 extra on top of the certificate fee. Once they locate the record, they will either send you the certificate or give you the county information so you can order directly from that county clerk.
To find your state vital records office, search "[your state name] vital records" or "[your state name] department of health vital records." Most state offices have an online request form. The search takes one to two weeks, and then the certificate takes another one to two weeks to arrive.
Order through a third-party service if you need it quickly
Private companies like VitalChek, eSpeed Vital Records, and others act as intermediaries between you and county clerks. You pay them to submit your request to the county on your behalf. They charge a service fee on top of the county's fee — usually $15 to $30 extra — but they often offer same-day or next-day processing and can mail the certificate directly to you.
These services are legitimate and safe, but they are not faster than ordering directly from the county with rush processing. If the county offers same-day pickup or two-day mail delivery, ordering directly will cost you less. Use a third-party service only if the county does not offer online ordering or if you need the certificate mailed to you very quickly and the county's rush option is not fast enough.
Check that the service is authorized by your state — most state vital records websites list which third-party vendors they work with. Do not use a service that is not on that list.
What to do if the marriage record cannot be found
If the county clerk searches and cannot find your record, the marriage may have been recorded in a different county than where the ceremony took place. Some couples marry in one place but file the license in another. Ask the clerk to search nearby counties or to check if the record was filed under a different spelling of a name.
If the marriage was very recent — within the last few weeks — the record may not yet be entered into the system. Call the clerk's office and ask when the record should appear. If the marriage was decades ago, the record may have been lost or destroyed in a fire or flood; the clerk can tell you if that happened and whether a delayed registration or affidavit of marriage is an option in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a certified copy of a marriage certificate cost?
Most counties charge $10 to $30 per certified copy. Some offer discounts if you order multiple copies at once. Rush or expedited processing usually adds $5 to $15. Call your county clerk's office or check their website for the exact fee, since it varies by location.
Do I need to be married to the person on the certificate to get a copy?
No. Most counties will issue a certified copy to either spouse, a child, a parent, or an attorney. Some counties have restrictions on who can order — call ahead to confirm. You will need to show a photo ID that matches the name on your request.
Can I get a copy if I do not have the exact marriage date?
Yes. Provide the year and the county, and the clerk will search for you. If you only know the approximate year, the search may take longer and cost more, but most offices will do it. Some charge an extra search fee if the record is not found on the first try.
What if my name has changed since I was married?
Bring a photo ID that shows your current name and a document that explains the name change — such as a divorce decree, adoption papers, or a court order. The clerk will verify the connection between your old and new name before releasing the certificate.
How long does it take to get a certified copy by mail?
Standard mail requests usually take two to three weeks from the time the clerk receives your letter. Online orders typically take five to ten business days. Rush or expedited options can cut this to two to three business days for an extra fee. Call the clerk's office if your order does not arrive within the stated timeframe.