Are Marriage Records Public Information?
Yes, Marriage records are always public information.
A marriage certificate is an official record of a legal marriage. A marriage certificate can be used as evidence of a name change, for or for other legal purposes requiring name approval.
A marriage certificate may also be also used for ancestral research or for divorce proceedings. In many states, marriage records can be found at the State Office for the period 1952-1996.
Marriage records for before 1952 and after 1996 are usually only available from the County Probate Court (where the license was issued)
Who can order a copy of a Marriage Certificate?
Duplicates of marriage licenses are accessible to the overall population, however, a certified duplicate of the marriage permit application is just accessible to the those mentioned on the marriage license. Some Probate Courts issue an attractive, frameable copy of the marriage certificate.
What information is needed when requesting a Marriage Certificate?
The certificate requestor must provide:
1. A completed and signed request form.
2. A photocopy of your valid government ID such as one of the following:
- Driver’s license
- State IDS Card
- In some states, a Weapons Carry License
- U.S. Passport
- Unexpired Foreign Passport
- U.S. Military ID
- A Bank Card with Picture
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