When Will You Need A Marriage Certificate
A marriage certificate has one crucial functionâproving your marital status after you say âI do.â
But who needs this proof? After you get married, youâll have to report your marital status to a variety of agencies, any of whom could ask for a certified copy of your marriage certificate:
- The local court system â While the courthouse will have a copy of your marriage certificate, youâll have to report your change of name . If you change your last name, youâll have to report the change to the following agencies:
- The Social Security Administration
- The Department of Motor Vehicles
- Your lenders, if you have any loans
- Your banks and credit card companies
- The Internal Revenue Service â After you file your income tax return as a married couple for the first time, the IRS may request a copy of your marriage certificate to verify the change.Your insurance companies â If you add your spouse to an existing insurance policy , the company will likely ask you to prove your marital status if you claim eligibility for any policies that stipulate it.
Birth Certificate Copies: Born Abroad And Adopted By Us Parents
If you were born in a foreign country and adopted by a U.S. citizen, you would not have received a U.S. birth certificate. The country in which you were born would have issued one. To get a copy, contact the nearest foreign embassy or consulate for that country. If you need an authenticated copy and it’s not in English, ask the embassy for help to get it translated.
If you were adopted from another country by a U.S. citizen, you should have copies of your naturalization/citizenship papers. If you don’t, submit an application for the replacement of a naturalization/citizenship document. For help, contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
When To Use A Certified Copy Or A Photocopy
You will need to purchase a certified copy of the death certificate for tasks such as:
- Notifying the Social Security Administration and other government agencies
- Closing or transferring credit cards and bank accounts
- Claiming a persons life insurance or pension
You may only need a photocopy for other tasks, such as canceling a subscription. Check with the agency or organization handling each account.
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What Do I Need To Get Married Outside The United States
Before you can get married in some countries, that country may require a document stating you are not currently married. This is known as a single status letter. Visit the Single Status Letter page for more information.
Divorce certificates are also known as a certificate of dissolution. It may take up to five months from the date of divorce for a divorce record to be sent to the Department of Health. If you were divorced within the past five months, you need to contact the county superior court clerk where the divorce was finalized. The Department of Health does not have divorce decrees.
How To Get A Copy Of A Marriage Certificate

Whether you just had a marriage ceremony or youâre doing your homework in advance, itâs helpful to learn how to get a copy of marriage certificate documents before you start filling out the mountain of paperwork that comes along after the big day.
You have three options when seeking a copy of your marriage certificateâapplying in person, by mail, or online. In the following sections, weâll explore all three and discuss when you might need a copy of your important marriage documents.
Note: Thereâs a difference between a . The former is needed for someone officiating the marriage ceremony whereas the latter is for the couple to signify their marital status.
If youâre wondering, âHow do I get a copy of my marriage certificate,â youâve come to the right place.
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Applications And Forms Of Identification Needed
Please use easy-to-read copies of your original identification. Do not send your originals. Also, make sure they are not expired. We cannot use expired documents.
You may send a copy of ONE of the items from this list:
- State-issued driver’s license or ID card
- U.S. government-issued photo ID
- Tribal or military ID card
Or you may send a copy of TWO of the items from this list:
- Bank/earnings statement
- Utility bill or traffic ticket
- Vehicle registration/title
Before You Go To Boston City Hall
If you filed for a marriage license in Boston, you can get a certified copy of your marriage certificate after you are married. Please note: The license is in the town where you filed, not where the wedding ceremony took place.
A third of copy requests are for restricted marriage records. A marriage certificate is restricted when either persons parents weren’t married when they were born. If the record is restricted, only those people listed on the marriage certificate can get a certified copy.
For new marriages, certified copies are usually available 10 days after the record has been returned to City Hall.
You can also fill out the form in person at Boston City Hall.
A Certified Copy of a marriage record is $12 in person. The record is available about two weeks after it is received back by the Registry after the ceremony. We accept cash, credit cards, pinless debit cards, and checks or money orders made payable to the City of Boston.
If you use a credit card or pinless debit card, there is a non-refundable service fee of 2.5% of the total payment, with a $1 minimum. This fee is paid to the card processor and not kept by the City. If your debit card requires you to enter your pin to process a payment, you CANNOT use it to pay your fee.
- We only have records for marriage where the couple filed for the marriage license in Boston City Hall. Please remember, it is based on where you filed, not where the wedding ceremony took place.
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Before You Get Started By Mail
If you filed for a marriage license in Boston, you can get a certified copy of your marriage certificate after you are married. Please note: The license is in the town where you filed, not where the wedding ceremony took place.
A third of copy requests are for restricted marriage records. A marriage certificate is restricted when either persons parents weren’t married when they were born. If the record is restricted, only those people listed on the marriage certificate can get a certified copy.
For new marriages, certified copies are usually available 10 days after the record has been returned to City Hall.
Find And Request A Marriage Record
The Register of Wills keeps records of marriage licenses dating back to 1885. You can request a certified or exemplified copy of any marriage license issued in Philadelphia.
When you request a record, it helps to know:
- The names that both people used when they applied for the marriage license.
- The date of the marriage.
You can request marriage records from 18601885 through the Philadelphia City Archives.
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What Marriage And Divorce Products Can I Get
Our office has marriage and divorce records from 1968 to present that occurred in the state of Washington. You can obtain Washington state marriage and divorce records as certified copies . The Department of Health can also provide you with a letter of single status if you are traveling to another country to get married.
Make A Marriage Certificate Request Online
You can place an order online with your credit or debit card. You will not be charged until the order is confirmed and processed, usually within two to three business days. For new marriages, certified copies are usually available 10 days after the record has been returned to City Hall.
We will contact you if we need more information to fulfill the order. If we contact you but do not hear back from you within two business days, we will cancel the order without a charge.
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Criminal History Arrest Or Other Police Records
These are records maintained by law enforcement agencies and not by courts. The Indiana State Police offers criminal history services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation offers an Identity History Summary.
To find contact information for local law enforcement, see mylocal.in.gov and select your county or city from the list.
You may search mycase.in.gov for criminal court records, but this website is not for conducting a complete criminal history. The site does not include records for all courts in Indiana, and how far back the records go varies by county.
Access Adoption Records Through Consent

In some states, you may be able to access identifying information through a mutual consent registry. Using these registries, all involved in an adoption can declare what information may be disclosed. Some states may require the consent of both the birth parents and adoptive parents for the release of records. However, the release of information varies by state.
If your state does not maintain a mutual consent registry, there are other ways to obtain records through consent. Public or private agencies can locate birth parents in some states. When an agency contacts birth parents, they can find out identifying information through:
- Confidential Intermediary System The court gives permission to a court-certified confidential intermediary. This permission grants them access to sealed adoption records. They can also contact the birth parents to obtain consent for the release of identifying information.
- Affidavit System – Birth parents can officially file their consent or refusal to be identified or contacted.
Use the Child Welfare Information Gateway to find out about how your state allows access to your adoption records.
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How To Get Your Record: Faqs
How are certified and uncertified copies different?
A certified copy of a record issued by the State Vital Records Office is printed on security paper. It also has a raised seal and the signature of the State Registrar. State law limits who can get a certified copy of a record. You can find details about who can get one on the second page of the application form.
An uncertified copy of a record has the same information as a certified copy. However, its printed on plain white paper. It also includes a stamp showing it cannot be used for legal or identification purposes.
How are long-form and short-form birth certificates different?
Short-form birth certificates work for most legal and identification purposes. Each one includes the persons name, sex, birth date, and place of birth. They also include parents names, ages or birthdates, and birthplaces.
The long form also includes birth facility, mothers residence, time of birth, birth weight, and crown-heel length. If the information was not given at the time the birth record was filed, it wont be on the long form.
The long form doesnt cost extra. Simply write Long Form on the application if youd like it.
What is the difference between a Fact of Death certificate and an Extended Fact of Death certificate?
What if I don’t know all the information on the application?
Wisconsin vital records have been organized in different ways over the years. To better understand search periods and fees, see below.
Birth search periods
Search For A Marriage Record
You can use our online marriage record search to find information on Philadelphia marriages from 1995 or later. The results may include the applicants names, marriage license number, and the date of the license.
Youll still need to submit a record request if you:
- Want a copy of the actual marriage license.
- Cant find the record youre looking for.
- Need a record from before 1995.
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Divorce Decrees And Certificates
A divorce decree is an official document from the court that grants the termination of a marriage. It includes specific details of the divorce.
A divorce certificate is issued by a state vital records office. It shows that a divorce occurred but not all the same information as a divorce decree. You can save time and money by determining which document you need before requesting a copy.
How To Order A Marriage Certificate
After you have confirmed that you are eligible to receive a marriage certificate, you can apply in any one of the following four ways:
Online
Use the Vital Statistics Agency’s secure online ordering service. A credit card is required.
PO Box 9657 Stn Prov GovtVictoria, B.C.V8W 9P3
In Person
Go to any Service BC counter.You do not need to fill out an application, but will need to provide the customer service representative with the same details about the marriage that are requested on the Application for Marriage Certificate or Registration Photocopy form . You will also need to provide payment.
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What You Need To Provide:
If you order in person If you order by mail
- Name of the first person
- Name of the second person
- Date of the marriage
- City where the license was issued
- Complete sections 1 through 3 on the form. Your signature must be witnessed by a clerk in our office for an unrestricted copy. It does not need to be notarized.
- Name of the first person
- Name of the second person
- Date of the marriage
- City where the license was issued
- Complete sections 1 through 3 on the form. Your signature must be notarized for an unrestricted copy.
- The name and address of the person or agency to whom the copies are to be returned
The fee is $17.00 for each copy. You may pay by check or money order payable to Fresno County Recorder, or by credit card for an additional $2.50. The fee is $17.00 for each copy. A check or money order for the full amount payable to Fresno County Recorder must accompany the order. Do not send cash.
Death In The Us: How To Get A Certified Copy Of A Death Certificate
Contact the vital records office of the state where the death occurred to learn:
- How to order a certified copy of a death certificate online, by mail, or in person
- How to get a copy fast
- The cost for each certified copy
You will need to know the date and place of death. The state may also ask for other details about the person, how you are related to them, or why you want the certificate.
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Copies Of Marriage Licenses
To obtain a certified copy of a marriage license, the license must have been issued by the Fairfax Circuit Court. The certified copy can be obtained either in person or by mail.
Marriage licenses issued between July 1, 1997 and June 30, 2001 have not been configured to prevent disclosure of the social security number or control number and shall not be available for general public inspection in the offices of clerks of the circuit courts. Either spouse may obtain copies of the marriage license in person by appearing in the offices of the circuit courts with valid photo id or through the mail by enclosing a notarized copy of either spouse’s valid photo id with their copy request.Pursuant to Virginia Code §32.1-267, if an individual other than the applicants wish to obtain a copy of a license issued during this time span he shall only obtain copies:
Clerk of the Circuit CourtAttention: Marriage License Copies4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 116Fairfax, VA 22030
Mailing Address
Why Do I Have To Call To Get A Single Status Letter

Single status letters require different information depending on your circumstances. A trained customer service representative will ask you the right questions to get you the information you need.
Please be prepared to answer the following questions:
- Are you a current resident of Washington state?
- If yes, how many years have you been a resident of Washington state?
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Online And Phone Order Processing Fees
Service | |
---|---|
TOTAL | $36.70/$56.70 |
* Includes one certificate if the record is located.â¯Search fees and expedite fees are non-refundable even if a record is not located when searching based on the information provided by the applicant.
** Documents will be shipped after the state search process is complete. Processing times may be found on the processing dates page.
Death Of A Us Citizen Abroad: How To Get Death Records
When a U.S. citizen dies in another country, the U.S. embassy or consulate should get a death certificate or notification from the foreign government. It will then issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad . Use the CRDA in the U.S. as proof of death for closing accounts and handling legal tasks.
- You can get up to 20 certified copies at the time of death for free.
- Order more copies of the CRDA from the State Department.
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Office Of Vital Records
The Office of Vital Records customer service lobby located at 2001 Maywill Street, Suite # 101 Richmond, Virginia 23230, is open for walk-in customers from Monday – Friday 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines
Due to COVID-19, the following precautions will be in place for our patrons:
- HEPA filtration
- Masks encouraged and available to customers
New Convenient Options
To avoid long wait times, two options are available. Entitlement requirements still apply.
Two-hour Pick-upCustomers may drop off completed applications for a vital record at the front desk and return to pick-up requested copies two hours from the time the request was received. Two-hour pick-up requests must be received no later than 2:00 PM and will be released to the requester only.
Acceptable applications must include the following:
- Requesters signature
- Legible photocopy of the requesters ID
- Fee of $ 12 for each requested copy in the form of either a check or money order. Checks and Money Orders should be completed, signed and made payable to: State Health Department
- This option is not available for amendments, name changes, or corrections.
Application drop-offCustomers may drop off completed applications for a vital record at the front desk. These requests will be processed and mailed the next business day. Requests dropped off after 4:00 PM will be considered received the next business day.
All acceptable applications must include the following: