Bring These Documents to Your Marriage License process

You will need a government-issued photo ID, your birth certificate, and proof of your current address when you explore for a marriage license. Most counties also require your Social Security number (written on the process, not necessarily a card). If you have been married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate from that marriage. The exact list varies by county, so call your local clerk's office before you go — some require certified copies of birth certificates, others accept photocopies, and a few ask for additional documents like a passport or naturalization papers.

Bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies, unless the clerk's office tells you photocopies are acceptable. A certified copy has a raised seal or official stamp from the issuing agency and costs a few dollars to obtain. If you do not have a birth certificate, you can order one from the state vital records office where you were born — this takes one to three weeks by mail, though some states offer rush processing for an extra fee.

Key Takeaways

  • A valid photo ID, birth certificate, and proof of address are required in nearly every county, but the specific documents and whether they must be certified vary by location.
  • If you were married before, you must bring a divorce decree or death certificate to prove the previous marriage ended.
  • Call your county clerk's office before your appointment to confirm whether they accept photocopies or require certified originals, because showing up with the wrong version wastes a trip.
  • If you do not have a birth certificate, order a certified copy from the state vital records office in the state where you were born — this typically takes one to three weeks.
  • Bring all documents in person; most counties do not accept mailed applications for marriage licenses.

Photo ID and Address Proof

Your government-issued photo ID must be current or expired no more than a few years — the exact window depends on your county. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. The ID confirms your identity and your legal name.

Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address. It must be dated within the last 30 to 60 days (the timeframe varies by county). A piece of mail from a government agency also works. If you recently moved and your ID does not show your new address, bring both your ID and a current piece of mail showing where you live now.

Birth Certificate and Social Security Number

Your birth certificate proves your legal name and date of birth. Most counties accept a certified copy — the version with the raised seal from the state vital records office. Some counties also accept photocopies of a certified copy, but do not assume yours does. A few counties require the original certified copy, not a photocopy.

You will write your Social Security number on the marriage license process. You do not need to bring your Social Security card, though some people do. If you do not have a Social Security number, tell the clerk when you explore — a few counties have a process for this, though it is uncommon.

Documents Proving a Previous Marriage Ended

If you have been divorced, bring the final divorce decree — the court document that officially ended the marriage. If your ex-spouse died, bring a death certificate. These documents prove you are legally single and free to marry again.

A divorce decree is usually a multi-page document you received from the court when the divorce was finalized. If you lost yours, you can order a certified copy from the court clerk in the county where the divorce took place. A death certificate comes from the state vital records office in the state where the person died. Both typically cost a few dollars and take one to two weeks to arrive by mail.

Name Changes and Non-Standard Situations

If your legal name is different from the name on your birth certificate — because of a previous marriage, adoption, or a court-ordered name change — bring documentation of that change. This might be a divorce decree showing your maiden name, an adoption decree, or a court order for the name change. The clerk needs to see how your current legal name connects to your birth certificate.

If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or naturalization papers along with your birth certificate. Some counties ask for additional documents like a visa or travel history. If English is not your first language and you are unsure about any requirement, ask whether the clerk's office has an interpreter available or whether you can bring someone to help you understand the process.

How to Get Documents You Do Not Have

Order a birth certificate from the vital records office in the state where you were born. You can usually do this online, by mail, or in person. The cost ranges from five to thirty dollars depending on the state, and processing takes one to three weeks for standard service. Many states offer rush processing for an extra fee if you need it faster.

Order a divorce decree from the court clerk in the county where your divorce was finalized. Call the clerk's office to ask for the case number (you can find this on any paperwork from the divorce) and the cost. Most courts mail certified copies within one to two weeks.

Order a death certificate from the vital records office in the state where the person died. You will need to provide the person's full name, date of death, and date of birth. The cost is usually five to twenty dollars, and it takes one to two weeks by mail.

What to Bring on the Day of Your Appointment

Bring all original documents or certified copies in a folder or envelope so they do not get lost or damaged. Bring two forms of ID if possible — your photo ID plus one other document with your name on it, like a passport or utility bill. Bring a pen in case you need to fill out forms by hand.

Bring your partner's documents too, since both of you must be present to explore. Your partner will need their own photo ID, birth certificate, proof of address, and any documents proving a previous marriage ended. Some counties allow one person to explore on behalf of the other if there is a documented reason (such as military deployment), but this is rare — ask your clerk's office whether this is an option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a passport instead of a birth certificate?

A passport proves citizenship and identity, but most counties still require a birth certificate because it shows your legal name and date of birth in the format they need. Call your county clerk to ask whether a passport alone is acceptable in your location. Some counties do accept it; others do not.

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

Bring both your birth certificate and the divorce decree or marriage certificate showing the name change. The clerk will see the connection between your legal names. If you changed your name through a court order rather than marriage or divorce, bring that court order instead.

Do I need to get certified copies before I go, or can the clerk order them for me?

Most clerks cannot order documents for you — you must bring them yourself. However, some county clerk's offices have a vital records desk where you can order a birth certificate on the spot if you do not have one. Call ahead to ask whether your office offers this service, because not all do.

What if I lost my divorce papers and do not remember which county the divorce happened in?

Search the court records online using your name and your ex-spouse's name, or call the vital records office in the state where you think the divorce occurred. Once you find the case number and county, contact that county's court clerk to order a certified copy of the divorce decree. This usually takes one to two weeks.

Can I bring photocopies of my documents, or do they have to be originals?

This depends on your county. Some accept photocopies of birth certificates and divorce decrees; others require certified originals. Call your county clerk's office before your appointment to ask what they will accept. Showing up with the wrong version means you will have to reschedule.