
Marriage Certificates and Licenses: Everything to Know
- Set a Date and Place for Your Wedding. Before you can apply for a marriage license, you need to know where and when you'll be getting married.
- Visit the County Clerk. The easiest place to go for your marriage license is the county clerk's office. ...
- Get Signatures From Your Officiant and Marriage License Witnesses. ...
- Pick the date and location for your wedding.
- Find your county clerk's office.
- Find an officiant.
- Apply for a marriage license.
- Get married and sign it.
- Officiant sends it to the courthouse.
- Receive your marriage certificate.
How do I get a certified copy of my marriage certificate?
- Visit the Department of Health in your state
- Request a copy of an Old Marriage License
- Fill out the Marriage License request form
- Show proof of identification & pay the fee
- Receive the Old Marriage License Copy via mail
Where can you obtain a copy of your marriage certificate?
Request Copy of Marriage Certificate
- Click the Transaction Menu button in the Main Menu Bar.
- Navigate to Customer Transactions>Customer>VDH Request (Step 1 of 2) (DVRINI).
- Click the Inquire button. Note: This is NOT the preferred method to access the VDH Request (Step 1of 2) - phase 2 transaction form. ...
- Continue with step 2.
How to get an original marriage certificate?
Payment Options:
- Online / Phone – MasterCard/Visa, Discover, American Express, ACH (Electronic Check)
- Mail – Personal Check, Postal Money Order, or Certified Check made payable to NYS Department of Health. ...
- Walk-Ins - Cash, check or money order. No credit or debit cards
Where can I get a copy of my marriage CERT?
Requesting a Certified Copy
- Electronic Submission
- Mail-In Request
- County Clerk/Recorder *
- * Event must have occurred in county selected

How long after wedding do you get certificate?
You will not receive marriage certificates on the day of your marriage, instead these will be sent after your ceremony by post, within 7 working days of the ceremony.
What to do after getting married?
What to Do After You Get MarriedEnsure your wedding vendors have been paid. ... Write thank-you cards. ... Return registry gifts as needed. ... Choose wedding photos. ... Change your last name. ... Update marital status.
How much is a marriage license in CT?
If you are planning to marry in Connecticut, you must obtain a marriage license from the vital records office of the town where the marriage will take place. There is a $50.00 fee for each marriage license. Payment must be submitted to the town at the time the marriage license is issued (see License to Get Married).
How do I obtain a marriage certificate in Texas?
As per Section 2.001 of the Texas Family Code, a marriage license may be obtained from any county clerk's office. Many Texas counties now offer an online application process.
Where do I need to change my name after marriage?
If not, contact your provider's customer service department and request the name change.Bank/building society.Credit card companies.Car finance provider.Personal loan provider.Mortgage provider.Home insurance.Life insurance.Breakdown cover.More items...•
Where do you get marriage certificate after church wedding?
After the civil registration of the marriage, a marriage certificate is issued by the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO) of the city or municipality where the wedding was celebrated.
Where do I get a certified copy of my marriage certificate?
Married in the U.S.: How to Get a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate. Contact the state vital records office. They may direct you to the clerk of the city or county where the license was issued or to another local office.
Can you get married without marriage license?
Getting married without a marriage license can mean that your marriage is null and void. A marriage licence is required by the State to ensure that the persons getting married can validly do so. A marriage license is a requirement for most marriages to be valid, except in very limited situations.
How long is a marriage license good for in CT?
for 65 daysMarriage licenses in Connecticut are valid for 65 days, which is much longer than in most states. This means that a couple's marriage ceremony must be performed within 65 days of filing their marriage license application or else the license will be expired.
Can I get a copy of my marriage certificate online Texas?
Vital records document life events such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce. To order records online, you'll need to have a valid ID, complete an online application, and pay a fee.
How long does it take to get your marriage certificate back in Texas?
Upon being returned to our office, original Marriage Licenses can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks to be returned to you. If you do not receive the license after that time period, please call the Personal Records Department at 713-274-8686.
Are Marriage records public in Texas?
Are Texas marriage records available to the public? Marriage records in Texas are public and can be viewed by anyone. The Vital Statistics Section of the Texas Department of State Health Services maintains indexes of all marriages since 1966 that can be downloaded and searched.
How to Obtain A Marriage Certificate Copy
A marriage certificate is a form containing vital information about the wedding that took place. This document is a legal record of the union betwe...
How to Obtain A Certified Marriage Certificate Copy
A certified copy of the marriage certificate can be obtained by contacting the county clerk’s office in the county where the marriage was performed...
How to Obtain A Non Certified Marriage Certificate Copy
There are also non-certified copies of marriage certificates available to purchase online. Commemorative certificates are decorative prints created...
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate?
If your marriage certificate is mailed, though, the amount of time this takes can vary, but most married couples can expect their marriage certificate within a few days to a few weeks.
What is a marriage certificate?
Your marriage certificate is the document you receive after your wedding that states you’re now a married couple; it’s not the same thing as your marriage license. Your marriage license is what you received before your wedding from the county clerk’s office. If you’re not yet married and you’ve misplaced your marriage license, ...
Is a marriage certificate a vital record?
The process of obtaining a certified copy of your marriage certificate varies a bit by state. But in general, it’s helpful to know that a marriage certificate is considered a vital record, just like a birth or death certificate. Therefore, you’ve probably guessed by now that in most states, the first place to turn to if you’re wondering “how do I ...
What is a marriage certificate?
A marriage certificate is a form containing vital information about the wedding that took place. This document is a legal record of the union between the two people who were married. This certificate will include the bride and groom’s full names, the date of the marriage and the name of the officiating person.
How to get a copy of a certificate if you don't have internet?
People who do not have Internet access can still request a certified copy of their certificate by sending a letter with the required information. Calling the county clerk’s office is a good way to obtain needed information about where to send the letter and what fees might be involved.
What is a commemorative certificate?
Commemorative certificates are decorative prints created for display. These prints will have the names of the wedded couple and the date their marriage took place. The background of the print is usually colored and can include some type of sentimental image, such as a pair of wedding bands.
What should be included in a wedding letter?
The letter should contain the names of the bride and groom prior to the marriage, as well as the name of the person who officiated. It should also include the city and date of the wedding, why the person is requesting a copy, the person’s name, address, driver’s license or ID number and signature.
Can a married person get a copy of a marriage certificate?
Records of marriage are public record however, only the married party can obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate unless there is a court order to procure one for someone else.
What is a marriage certificate?
In a sense, this paper represents the legality of the wedding ceremony and the marriage and allows the state to acknowledge you and your spouse as a single social entity. Typically forwarded by the officiating minister who conducted the wedding, marriage certificates are normally provided only once requested by one of the spouses.
What is a marriage license?
A marriage license is a specific document that you have to obtain and secure before getting married. Often obtained from your county clerk or specialized notary public, the marriage license application allows the local government if the soon-to-be husband and wife are legally cleared to be married. Considering this, it is possible for the application for a marriage license to be declined if one of the couples gets flagged for some sort of violation. If that is the case, the issue should be settled first before applying for a marriage license.
What is a marriage license?
A marriage license is what you get first, and it's basically an application to be married. Once you have filled it out, had your ceremony, gotten it signed, and your officiant has turned it back into the county, then you receive a marriage certificate. "The marriage certificate is a certified copy the married couple will receive post-wedding, ...
How much does it cost to get a marriage license?
There is a fee to apply for a marriage license, typically between $35 and $150, depending on your state and county (yet another expense to add to your wedding budget). "People often forget to bring check or cash to their appointment and most offices don't take credit cards.
How long does a marriage license last?
Furthermore, marriage licenses expire. Some, for example, expire after 90 days. If you're planning your wedding one year in advance of the date, then you have to wait to apply for the marriage license until you're within ...
How many witnesses do you need to sign a marriage license?
They must be physically present and, well, watch the two of you sign the marriage license. In most states, the marriage license witnesses must also be over the age of 18. Typically you will need two witnesses, but in some states, you only need one.
How long do you have to wait to get married in Texas?
In Texas, for example, you must wait at least 72 hours before getting married after you apply for a marriage license to actually get married, meaning that if you put this off until two to three days before the wedding, the license wouldn't be valid.
How long do you have to wait to get your wedding license?
According to Hanes, "There's typically a few day waiting period from filing to getting your license. You should plan to file at least one week before your wedding to make sure everything works out.".
What is the most important part of a wedding?
While the ceremony and celebration are the most memorable parts of a wedding, if you want it to be legal, the most important part is the signing of the marriage license. This document legally binds the two of you together—and plays a big role if you're planning on changing your name. Obtaining a marriage license and, subsequently, ...

What Is The Difference Between A Marriage Certificate and A Marriage License?
- People often confuse marriage certificates with marriage licenses. But, the two documents are not the same. With a marriage license you can marry another individual. You must get a license from the local office, including the town hall, registrar, or courthouse. You can apply for marriag…
How to Get A Marriage Certificate Online
- If you no longer have a copy, you can order replacement marriage certificates online via Vital Records Online. That way you do not have to return to the church or officiate who performed your wedding. You can also get in touch with the vital records officein the state you performed your wedding to ask for a copy. You will have to follow their instructions. This is not always possible. …
Can Anyone Get A Copy?
- If you are wondering who can get a copy of a marriage certificate, the answer is usually, just family. That is because these certificates are not public records. To ask for the document you must be related to the married individuals or be one of the spouses. Otherwise, you must have legal or government authority. You will also need to show your certified vital records during this …