Where to Request Your Marriage License Copy

The office that issued your marriage license is the only place that has an official copy on file. In most states, that office is the county clerk or vital records office in the county where you were married — not where you live now. You can request a copy by mail, in person, or sometimes online, depending on what your county offers.

Start by identifying which county issued your license. If you remember the city or county where you got married, search "[county name] vital records" or "[county name] clerk office" online. The county's website will list the exact office, their mailing address, phone number, and whether they take requests by mail, phone, or online portal.

If you do not remember which county, you can call the state vital records office — each state has one — and they can tell you which county to contact. A quick search for "[your state] vital records office" will give you the phone number. Have your full name, your spouse's full name, and the approximate year you were married ready when you call.

Key Takeaways

  • The county clerk or vital records office in the county where you were married holds the official copy, not the state office or the courthouse.
  • You will need to provide your full name, your spouse's full name, and the year or date of marriage to request a copy.
  • Most counties charge a fee between $10 and $30 per copy, and processing takes one to four weeks by mail.
  • If you cannot remember which county issued your license, the state vital records office can look it up for you by phone.
  • Some counties now offer online ordering through their website, which is faster than mailing a request form.

What Information You Need to Provide

When you contact the county clerk, have the following details ready: your full legal name as it appeared on the license, your spouse's full legal name, the date of marriage (or the month and year if you do not remember the exact day), and the location where you were married (city and county). If your name has changed since the marriage, mention that too — the office will search under your married name but may need to cross-reference your current name.

Some offices also ask for a phone number and email address so they can contact you if there are questions about your request. A few counties require you to show why you need the copy — for example, passport renewal, name change, or divorce proceedings — but most do not ask this question anymore.

Requesting by Mail

Mail requests are the slowest option but work if you cannot visit in person or use an online system. read the request form from the county clerk's website, or call and ask them to mail you one. Fill it out completely with your name, your spouse's name, the marriage date, and the number of copies you want.

Include a check or money order for the fee — do not send cash through the mail. The fee varies by county but typically ranges from $10 to $30 per certified copy. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so the office can mail the copy back to you. Mail everything to the address listed on the form, and expect to wait two to four weeks for a response.

Keep a copy of what you sent for your records. If you do not hear back within five weeks, call the office to confirm they received your request.

Requesting in Person or by Phone

If you live near the county where you were married, visiting the clerk's office in person is the fastest way to get a copy. Bring a photo ID and be ready to pay the fee in cash or by card — policies vary by county. You may receive the copy the same day or within a few days, depending on how busy the office is.

Requesting by phone works in some counties. Call the vital records or clerk's office, provide your information, and ask if they can process your request over the phone. You will typically pay by credit card and have the copy mailed to you within one to two weeks. Not all counties offer this service, so ask when you call.

Online Ordering Systems

A growing number of counties now let you order a copy through their website. Search "[county name] vital records online order" to see if yours is one of them. Online systems usually let you pay by credit card and choose whether you want the copy mailed or picked up in person. Processing time is often faster than mail requests — sometimes as little as three to five business days.

Some counties use third-party vendors to handle online orders, so the website may redirect you to a different site to complete your request. These vendors charge a small processing fee on top of the county's base fee, so the total cost may be slightly higher than ordering by mail.

What to Expect When You Receive Your Copy

An official copy of your marriage license will be printed on security paper and stamped or sealed by the county clerk's office. It will show both your name and your spouse's name, the date of marriage, the location, and the names of witnesses if they were recorded. The seal or stamp proves it is an official copy that other agencies will recognize.

Order more than one copy if you think you will need it — for a passport, a name change, a mortgage process, or a divorce filing. It is cheaper and faster to order multiple copies at once than to request them separately later. Most offices charge per copy, so ordering three copies at once costs less than ordering one, waiting, then ordering two more.

If You Cannot Find the Right County

If you have tried calling the state vital records office and still cannot locate your license, contact the courthouse in the city where you were married. The clerk there may have records or be able to direct you to the right county office. You can also ask a family member who attended the wedding or check old documents — a copy of the license, a wedding announcement, or a thank-you card from that time period might list the location.

If your marriage took place outside the United States, contact the vital records office in that country or region. Each country has its own system for issuing and copying marriage documents, and the process may be different from what is described here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a certified copy of a marriage license cost?

Fees vary by county but typically range from $10 to $30 per certified copy. Some counties charge less for uncertified copies, which may work for certain purposes like genealogy research but not for legal documents like passport or name-change applications. Call your county clerk to confirm the exact fee before you send payment.

Can I get a copy if my spouse does not want me to?

Yes. A marriage license is a public record in most states, and either spouse can request a copy at any time. Some states restrict access to certain details, but the basic document is available to either party. A few states have different rules, so if you encounter resistance, ask the clerk about your state's specific policy.

What if my name has changed since I was married?

Provide both your married name (as it appears on the license) and your current name when you request the copy. The office will search under your married name but will understand that you are the same person. The copy they send will show your name as it was on the original license, not your current name.

How long does it take to get a copy by mail?

Most counties take two to four weeks to process a mail request, though some are faster. Processing time depends on how busy the office is and whether your request is complete. Online orders are often faster — sometimes three to five business days — and in-person requests may be same-day or next-day if you visit the office directly.

Do I need the original license or just a copy?

For most legal purposes, a certified copy is all you need. Agencies like the passport office, Social Security, or a courthouse will accept a certified copy with the county seal. You do not need to find or produce the original document.