What Documents You Need to Get a Marriage License

Yes, you will need your birth certificate to get a marriage license in every state

Your birth certificate is one of the core documents required when you explore for a marriage license. It proves your identity and your date of birth, both of which the county clerk needs to verify before issuing the license. Without it, you cannot complete the process, and the clerk will ask you to come back with it.

The exact rules vary slightly by state and county — some accept certified copies only, others accept photocopies, and a few will take a state ID in place of a birth certificate if you were born outside the United States. But every state requires proof of birth in some form. If you do not have your birth certificate on hand, you will need to order one before you can move forward with your marriage license process.

Key Takeaways

Your birth certificate is required in every state and must be an official certified copy, not a photocopy from home.
If you were born in the United States, order your certified birth certificate from the vital records office in the state where you were born, not where you live now.
Birth certificates ordered by mail typically arrive in two to four weeks; expedited orders cost more and arrive in five to ten business days.
If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or consular birth certificate instead, and call your county clerk ahead of time to confirm what they will accept.
Bring the original certified copy to your appointment; photocopies and digital images on a phone will not be accepted.

How to order a certified birth certificate

You order a certified birth certificate from the vital records office in the state where you were born. This is not the county clerk's office — it is a separate state agency, usually run by the state health department. You can find the correct office by searching "[your state] vital records" or by visiting the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS) website, which lists the office for each state.

Most states let you order online, by mail, or by phone. Online is fastest — you can usually order and pay within minutes, and the certificate ships within a few business days. By mail, you fill out a form, mail it with a check or money order, and wait two to four weeks. By phone, you give your information to a clerk and pay by credit card, but the timeline is the same as mail.

You will need to provide your full name as it appears on the birth certificate, your date of birth, your parents' names, and the county where you were born. If any of that information is wrong or you are unsure, call the vital records office before ordering — ordering the wrong certificate wastes time and money.

Cost and timing for getting a birth certificate

A certified birth certificate costs between $15 and $35 depending on the state. Standard processing takes two to four weeks by mail or three to five business days if you order online. Expedited processing, which costs an extra $10 to $25, can cut that to five to ten business days.

Order as soon as you know you are getting married. If you wait until a week before your marriage license appointment, you risk the certificate not arriving in time. Many couples order two or three copies at once — one for the marriage license, one to keep at home, and one as a backup — which costs only slightly more than ordering one.

What if you were born outside the United States

If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport instead of a birth certificate. Your passport proves your identity and date of birth, and every county clerk will accept it. If your passport is expired, it still works for a marriage license process — the clerk is checking that the document is real, not that it is currently valid for travel.

If you were born in a U.S. territory (Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands), you have a U.S. birth certificate and should order it from that territory's vital records office, not from a state. If you were born in a foreign country and do not have a passport, ask your county clerk what documents they will accept — some will take a consular birth certificate or a certified translation of a foreign birth certificate, but rules vary.

What happens if you cannot find your birth certificate

If you have lost your birth certificate or never had one, you still have options. The simplest is to order a new certified copy from the vital records office, which takes two to four weeks. If you do not have time for that, ask your county clerk what secondary documents they will accept — some will take a state ID, a passport, a school record, or a hospital record of birth in place of a birth certificate, though this varies by county.

Call your county clerk's office before your appointment and tell them you do not have a birth certificate. Ask what documents you can bring instead and whether you need to bring anything else to prove your identity. This conversation takes five minutes and can save you a wasted trip.

Bring the original certified copy, not a photocopy

The county clerk will ask to see the original certified birth certificate at your appointment. A photocopy, even a good one, will not work. A digital image on your phone will not work either. The clerk needs to see the official document with the state seal and the vital records office signature.

If you are worried about losing the original, bring it in a folder or envelope and hand it directly to the clerk. Do not leave it in your car or on the counter. After the clerk reviews it, ask whether they will return it to you or keep it on file — most return it when ready, but a few keep it as part of the license record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photocopy of my birth certificate?

No. The county clerk must see the original certified copy with the state seal. A photocopy, even a certified photocopy from the vital records office, will not work at most county clerks' offices. Bring the original document.

What if my birth certificate has my maiden name and I want to use my married name?

Bring the birth certificate with your maiden name. The clerk will use it to verify your identity and date of birth. You do not need to change your birth certificate before getting a marriage license — you can change your name on other documents after you are married.

How long does a birth certificate take if I order it online?

Online orders typically arrive within three to five business days. Some states offer rush processing for an extra fee, which can get it to you in one to two business days. Check your state's vital records website for the exact timeline and cost.

Can I use my passport instead of a birth certificate?

Yes. Your passport proves your identity and date of birth, and every county clerk will accept it. An expired passport still works for a marriage license process.

What if I was born in another country?

Bring your passport. If you do not have a passport, call your county clerk and ask what documents they will accept — some take a consular birth certificate or a certified translation of a foreign birth certificate, but rules vary by location.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.