Where to Request Your Marriage License Copy
You get a copy of your marriage license from the county clerk's office in the county where you were married, not from the state. The county clerk keeps the original record, and they are the only office that can issue certified copies. If you do not remember which county, you can search online using the county name and "clerk's office" or call the state vital records office to find out which county has your record on file.
Most county clerk offices now accept requests by mail, phone, email, or in person. Some offer online ordering through their website. The fastest method is usually in person if you live nearby, since you can often walk out with a copy the same day. By mail typically takes one to three weeks. Online ordering through the county website can be faster than mail but slower than walking in.
You will need to provide the full names of both people who were married, the date of the marriage, and the county where it took place. Some offices also ask for the case or license number if you have it, though it is not always required. Have a photo ID ready when you request the copy, whether you are going in person or ordering online.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the county clerk's office in the county where you were married, since that is where the original record is kept.
- You will need to provide both full names, the marriage date, and the county name to locate your record.
- In-person requests usually produce a copy the same day, while mail requests take one to three weeks.
- Certified copies cost between $10 and $30 depending on the county, and you may need to order multiple copies if you plan to use them for different purposes.
- If you were married in a different state, contact that state's vital records office to find the correct county.
What Information You Need Before You Call
Gather these details before you contact the clerk's office: the full legal names of both people who were married (as they appeared on the license), the exact date of the marriage, and the name of the county. If you have the license number or case number from when you were married, include that too—it speeds up the search. If you do not have these details, the clerk can sometimes search by approximate date and names, but it takes longer.
If you were married decades ago or in a different state, write down any other details you remember: the city where the ceremony took place, the name of the person who performed the ceremony, or the names of witnesses. These details help the clerk locate your record if the basic information does not pull it up when ready.
Fees and How Many Copies to Order
A certified copy of your marriage license costs between $10 and $30, depending on which county issued it. Some counties charge less for the first copy and more for additional copies ordered at the same time. A few counties offer a discount if you order multiple copies together. Call ahead or check the county website to confirm the exact fee before you go in or mail your request.
Order at least two copies if you plan to use the license for more than one purpose. Banks, employers, and government agencies often keep the copy you send them, so you may need a fresh one for the next place. If you are changing your name, explore for a passport, or updating records with multiple agencies, three or four copies is reasonable. You can always order more later, but buying them all at once saves you a second trip or mailing fee.
Requesting in Person at the County Clerk's Office
Walk into the county clerk's office during business hours with your photo ID and the information listed above. Tell the clerk you need a certified copy of your marriage license. They will search their records using the names and date you provide. If they find it, they will print the certified copy, you will pay the fee, and you can leave with it the same day—usually within 15 to 30 minutes.
Bring cash or a check if you are unsure whether they accept cards. Most modern clerk offices take all payment methods, but some rural or smaller offices still work cash-only. Call ahead if you want to confirm. If the office is busy, you may wait longer, so consider going early in the morning or mid-week when traffic is lighter.
Requesting by Mail
Write a letter to the county clerk's office that includes your full names, the marriage date, the county name, and your request for a certified copy. Include a check or money order for the fee (call first to confirm the amount), your return address, and a phone number where they can reach you if they have questions. Mail it to the address listed on the county clerk's website.
The office will search their records, print the certified copy, and mail it back to you. This usually takes one to three weeks, though some offices are slower during busy seasons. If the office cannot find your record, they will mail you a letter explaining why and may ask you to provide more details or confirm the county. Keep a copy of your letter for your records in case you need to follow up.
Requesting Online or by Phone
Many county clerk offices now have an online ordering system on their website. You enter the names, date, and county, pay the fee with a credit card, and the office mails the certified copy to you. This usually takes the same time as a mail request—one to three weeks—but it is faster than writing and mailing a letter yourself. Some counties offer rush processing for an extra fee if you need the copy sooner.
Calling the clerk's office works if you want to confirm they have your record before you pay. Give them the information over the phone, and they can tell you whether they found it and how much it will cost. They will then mail you an invoice or a form to fill out and return with payment. This method takes longer than in-person or online ordering because of the back-and-forth, but it is useful if you are unsure whether the office has your record.
What to Do If the County Clerk Cannot Find Your Record
If the clerk searches and does not find your marriage record, ask them to search again using a slightly different spelling of names or a date range instead of an exact date. Marriage records are sometimes filed under a maiden name, a nickname, or a middle name instead of the first name you expected. If the clerk still cannot find it after a second search, ask whether the record might be in a different county nearby.
If you were married in a different state, contact that state's vital records office. They can tell you which county has your record or whether it was never filed. Some very old marriages or marriages performed by religious organizations may not be in the county system at all. In those cases, the vital records office can direct you to the organization that performed the ceremony or to a historical records archive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the original marriage license or is a certified copy enough?
A certified copy is what you need for almost all purposes—banks, employers, government agencies, and name-change petitions all accept certified copies. The original license is rarely required. A certified copy has an official seal from the county clerk and is legally equivalent to the original for all practical purposes.
Can someone else pick up my marriage license copy for me?
Yes, in most counties. The person picking it up will need to bring a photo ID and your written permission, or they can bring a notarized letter authorizing them to collect it. Call the clerk's office first to confirm their specific rules, since some counties have different policies.
What if I was married a long time ago and do not remember the exact date?
Tell the clerk the approximate year or a date range. They can search records from a span of months or years. The more details you remember—the city, the person who performed the ceremony, or witnesses' names—the easier the search becomes. Some offices charge a small research fee if the search takes longer than usual.
How long does a certified copy stay valid?
A certified copy does not expire. You can use it years after you receive it. However, some agencies ask for a copy issued within the last few months or year, so if your copy is very old and an agency rejects it, you may need to order a new one.
Can I order a marriage license copy for someone else?
Most counties require you to be one of the people named on the license, a spouse, a parent (if the person is a minor), or an authorized representative with written permission. Call the clerk's office to ask about their specific rules. Some counties are stricter than others about who can request a copy.