Unlike a license, a certificate of marriage is a legally binding contract that verifies the marriage took place and between whom. It is the primary document used by the federal and state governments to verify the validity of any marriage in the United States. Accessing and requesting copies of a certificate of marriage are contingent on the state and county you were married in. While you still can access marriage certificates in some states, more states are continually restricting access to these vital documents.
In order to obtain your initial set of marriage records, you have to visit either the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Vital Statistics in your county of residence. Be sure you bring a copy of your lease or a picture ID that verifies your residency status. You will not be able to file for a marriage licenses without this verification.
Obtaining a copy of your marriage certificate is a state-based process. Some states require you to file for a copy in person, while others allow you to request a copy online or download a PDF file that can be mailed to the respective Department of Vital Statistics or Health and Human Services.
It is essential you remember that a marriage certificate is not the same thing as a marriage license. A license simply grants you permission to marry. The certificate, on the other hand, is a detailed legal document that requires a good deal of personal information, including the name of the bride and groom, the county where the marriage will take place, any information about other marriages either party may have been involved in, and so forth.
The past two decades have seen a great deal of changes with regards to gay marriages in the United States. The vast majority of states still forbid the consensual marriage of two people of the same gender. As of 2009, only six of the 50 states in the Union recognize gay marriages. They are: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Additionally, the District of Columbia recognizes same-sex marriages, but does not allow them to be performed.
It is the right of any two citizens of the United States to marry freely. Of course, for the vast majority of states, this means any two heterosexual citizens. This does not mean that foreign nationals cannot also be married in the United States. Like citizens, foreign nationals must obtain all of the necessary marriage records in order to have their union legitimized both in the United States and in their country of origin. We can help citizens and foreign nationals alike get the information and documentation they need.
It is essential you understand the ramifications of getting married. Though a weekend wedding in Las Vegas has its charm, many couples fail to understand the complex legal implications involved with getting married. From a legal and tax standpoint, a couple is a completely new and unique entity. For hesitant or reluctant parties, it is important you understand the ramification of having or not having a prenuptial agreement and understanding how being married will affect your tax status.
Though actually accessing marriage records can be problematic, especially if your are not one of the parties involved, searching for marriage records has actually become much more convenient. This is, in large part, due to the digitalization of marriage records. Moreover, they have been uploaded to national file servers, allowing them to be found, if not accessed. Again, each state controls access to these records. Note that records dating back beyond fifty years have not been digitized. Rather, to access these older records you will have to contact the respective county Registrar's office or access your state's archive library, Vital Statistics Office, or genealogical libraries.
Though knowing the county you were married in is essential, you can still access marriage records through your state database. Indeed, state marriage records can be accessed to simply verify the fact you are married. This kind of verification can be useful for companies or financial institutions conducting background or application checks. State marriage verifications can also be very helpful for name changes, joint filed taxes, and some insurance benefits packages.