A task such as changing your name or applying for insurance benefits requires proof of your marital status. To provide legally acceptable proof, you will need to obtain a certified, rather than photocopy, of your marriage certificate. The difference between the two lies not in the information the marriage certificate contains, but who is eligible to request a certified copy of a marriage certificate and the authentication procedures used to make it a legal document.
Step 1
Contact your state vital records office, and find out where and how to apply for a certified copy of your marriage certificate. In most states, this will be through the vital records office or the county courthouse where the marriage took place. If you need help locating the vital records office for the state in which you live, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a list of contact information for state offices.
Step 2
Request an application and read it carefully before you fill it out. Make a note of the application fee, acceptable payment methods and supporting documentation your state requires. Most states require supporting documentation, such as personal identification, and in some cases a court order of custody or guardianship or a notarized statement authorizing you to make the request.
Step 3
Fill out the application, collect and make photocopies of supporting documentation and include the appropriate fee. If you are applying by mail, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if your state requires one.
Step 4
Submit the application in person or by mail. In most cases, you will get faster service if you apply in person. For example, if you apply in person in Wisconsin, you can expect to receive a certified copy of a marriage certificate within a few hours, whereas if you apply by mail, the process can take up to one month.
Tips and Warnings
- A certified copy of a marriage certificate includes the information from the original certificate printed on security paper as well as a raised state seal and an official signature from the state office issuing the certificate. To request a certified copy of a marriage certificate, most states require that you are either the bride or groom listed on the certificate, an immediate family member of the bride or groom or a legal representative of the bride or groom. Otherwise, you can only request an unofficial photocopy.
Things You'll Need
- Application
- Documentation
- Application fee
- Return envelope
