Where to request a certified copy of your marriage license
The office that issued your marriage license holds the original record. In most states, that is the county clerk's office in the county where you were married. You contact that specific office directly — by mail, phone, in person, or online — and request a certified copy. The process takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on how you submit your request and how far back the marriage took place.
If you were married in a different state or country, you will need to contact that jurisdiction's vital records office instead. The name and location of this office varies: some states call it the Department of Health, others the Bureau of Vital Statistics, and some keep records at the county level. Your best starting point is to search "[your state] vital records office" or "[your county] clerk marriage records" to find the exact office and their current fees and processing times.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the county clerk's office in the county where you were married, not your current county of residence.
- You can request a copy by mail, phone, in person, or online depending on what that office offers.
- Certified copies cost between $10 and $30 in most states, though some counties charge more for expedited processing.
- Processing times range from same-day (if you go in person) to four weeks by mail, depending on the office's workload and how old the record is.
- Bring or provide your full name, your spouse's full name, the date of marriage, and the location where you were married.
How to find the right county clerk's office
Start by identifying which county issued your license. If you do not remember, check any documents from your wedding: the marriage certificate itself, divorce papers, or old tax returns filed as married. The county name will appear on the document. If you have none of these, ask your spouse, a family member who attended, or search your email for confirmation from a wedding venue or officiant.
Once you know the county, search online for "[county name] clerk" or "[county name] vital records." Most county clerk websites list their office hours, fees, and the methods they accept for requests. Some allow you to order online through their website or a state portal. Others require you to call, mail a form, or visit in person. A few counties have outsourced their records to a third-party vendor, so the website will direct you there instead.
What information you need to provide
When you contact the office, have ready your full legal name as it appeared on the marriage license, your spouse's full legal name, the exact date you were married, and the city or county where the marriage took place. If your name has changed since the marriage (through remarriage, divorce, or legal name change), provide both your name at the time of marriage and your current name.
Some offices ask how many certified copies you need. Order at least two or three if you think you might need them for other purposes — banks, employers, or government agencies sometimes require originals, and ordering extras now is cheaper than ordering again later. The cost per copy is usually the same whether you order one or five.
Requesting by mail
Most county clerk offices accept mail requests. read the form from their website or call to ask them to mail you one. Fill in your information, include a check or money order for the fee (call ahead to confirm the exact amount), and mail it to the address listed on the form. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so they can return your copies to you.
Processing by mail typically takes two to four weeks from the date the office receives your request. If the marriage was recent (within the last five to ten years), processing is usually faster. If the marriage was decades ago, the office may need to search archived records, which can add time. Some offices will not process mail requests for marriages older than a certain number of years and will require you to visit in person or use a third-party retrieval service.
Requesting in person or by phone
If you visit the county clerk's office in person, you can often walk out with a certified copy the same day. Bring a photo ID, your information (name, spouse's name, date and location of marriage), and cash or a check for the fee. Call ahead to confirm their hours and whether they require an appointment, as some offices now operate by appointment only.
Requesting by phone is faster than mail but slower than in person. Call the office, provide your information, and ask them to mail the copy to you. Some offices will hold a copy at the counter for you to pick up within a few days. Processing by phone usually takes three to five business days before the copy is ready.
Online ordering and third-party services
Many states and counties now offer online ordering through their official websites or a state vital records portal. You enter your information, pay by credit card, and the office mails the copy to you. Processing times are the same as mail requests — typically two to four weeks. This method is convenient if you cannot visit in person or call during business hours.
Some counties have contracted with third-party vendors to handle record requests. These vendors charge a higher fee than the county would charge directly, but they often process requests faster and may offer rush options. Check the county clerk's website to see if they recommend or require using a vendor. If you use a vendor, verify that they are the official contractor for that county before paying.
What to do if you cannot locate the office or the record
If you cannot find the county clerk's office online or if they tell you they do not have a record of your marriage, try these steps. First, confirm you have the correct county and spelling. Second, call the county clerk's office directly and ask a staff member to search their system while you wait. Third, if the marriage was very recent, the record may not yet be entered into the system — ask when it will be available.
If the office says they have no record, the marriage license may have been filed in a different county than where the ceremony took place. Ask the office if they can refer you to the correct county. If you still cannot locate it, contact your state's vital records office — they maintain a statewide index and can tell you which county holds the record, or confirm that no record exists.
Fees and processing times by request method
| Method | Typical Fee | Processing Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| In person | $10–$25 | Same day | Urgent need; you live near the office |
| Phone request | $10–$25 | 3–5 business days | Quick turnaround without visiting |
| Mail request | $10–$25 | 2–4 weeks | No time pressure; prefer written record of request |
| Online ordering | $10–$25 | 2–4 weeks | Convenient; available 24/7 |
| Third-party vendor | $25–$50 | 3–10 business days (varies) | Faster processing; willing to pay premium |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a marriage certificate and a marriage license?
A marriage license is the legal document you signed before or during the ceremony. A marriage certificate is the official record the county clerk issued after the ceremony. When you request a copy, you are requesting a certified copy of the marriage certificate — the official record on file with the county.
Can I request a copy if I do not know the exact date of marriage?
Yes. Provide the month and year, or even just the year if that is all you remember. The office will search their records for marriages under your names during that time period. If multiple marriages match, they may ask you to narrow it down or may charge a search fee.
Do I need the original marriage license to get a certified copy?
No. The county clerk has the original on file. You are requesting an official copy from their records. You do not need to produce the original document.
How much does a certified copy cost?
Most counties charge between $10 and $25 per certified copy. Some charge more for rush processing or for marriages that require searching archived records. Call the county clerk's office to confirm the exact fee before you submit your request.
What if I was married outside the United States?
Contact the vital records office in the country or region where you were married. If you cannot locate it, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in that country — they can direct you to the correct office. Some countries do not issue certified copies and instead provide an official extract from their registry, which may be accepted in place of a U.S. marriage certificate.