How To Get a Marriage Certificate (and Copy)

A marriage certificate provides legal proof of your marriage. You may need a marriage certificate to change your name or get on your spouse’s health insurance. You may also need multiple copies of your marriage certificate for various agencies and accounts.

The process for getting a marriage certificate and copy depends on where you got married. This page answers frequently asked questions (FAQs) about getting a copy of your marriage certificate. For specific information about marriage laws in your state, contact a local family lawyer.

Why Do You Need a Copy of Your Marriage Certificate?

For you and your spouse, the wedding ceremony may be enough to solemnize your marriage. However, insurance companies and the court may need more. You need a copy of your marriage certificate as legal proof of marriage.

The most common reason for getting a copy of your marriage certificate is to legally change your name. If you change your last name after marriage, you may need to change records for:

• Health care insurance
• Bank accounts
• Employer records
• Passport
• Loan applications
• Social Security card
• Credit card

Where Can You Get a Copy of Your Marriage Certificate?

In general, you have to get a certified copy of a marriage license in the county where you filed for it. Depending on the state, this can be the county clerk’s office, department of health, or district clerk. This is also where you can get a copy of birth certificates, death certificates, and divorce certificates.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a tool for getting vital records anywhere in the country. There are also application guidelines to make sure you get the right response from the CDC’s vital records office.

For example, the information for Texas tells you where to get a certified copy of a marriage certificate. This includes the cost and whether you can get a copy online, by phone, in person, or by mail.

How Much Is a Marriage Certificate Copy?

The state or county clerk charges a fee for copies of your marriage certificate. They may charge a processing fee, certification fees, and fees for each additional copy. The cost of a marriage certificate varies by state and county. Generally, a marriage certificate copy costs $5 to $30. You can pay the fees with a credit card, money order, or certified check.

Can You Get a Marriage Certificate for an Out of State Wedding?

Marriage records are generally maintained in the county and state where you filed your marriage license. If you have an out-of-state wedding or destination wedding, you have to get a copy of the marriage certificate from the state where you got your marriage license. You can usually file a request form online or by mail. So you don’t have to go to the public records office in person.

If you had your wedding in another country, contact the embassy or consulate in that country to obtain a copy of your marriage certificate.

Can You Get a Certified Marriage Certificate Online?

You can generally get a certified or noncertified copy of a marriage certificate. You may need a certified copy of your marriage certificate if you need it for legal purposes. Check with the agency or business to see whether you need a certified copy or an informal copy.

Many states allow you to get a certified copy online without going to the vital statistics office in person. But they may require you to visit a third-party notary public to certify the copy.

For example, you can request a certified copy of your marriage certificate online in California. The state uses third-party processors like VitalChek. Check with the vital records office in the county or location where you got married.

Is a Marriage License the Same as a Marriage Certificate?

Marriage licenses and marriage certificates are separate documents. Generally, couples apply for a marriage license before getting married. The officiant fills out the marriage license after you get married and files it with the state. After filing the marriage license, you can get a marriage certificate as evidence of your legal marriage.

How Can You Get a Marriage Certificate for a Church Wedding?

You can have a church wedding or a religious marriage ceremony. However, you still need to follow the state requirements for a legal marriage. This generally requires getting a marriage license and filing it with the state. If you have a religious wedding without a marriage license, it’s not a legal marriage. If you complete the legal process of a valid marriage in your state, you can get a marriage certificate.

How Can a Family Lawyer Help?

Marriage laws differ in every state. For legal advice about getting a marriage certificate where you got married, a local family lawyer can help. If you have questions about getting a marriage certificate after your wedding, contact a family lawyer for legal advice.