There are several basic reasons people want to see a marriage certificate; some reasons are more innocent than others.  Your motivation for the search will impact the government’s willingness to assist your mission.

A Lost Marriage Certificate
If you have lost your own certificate the State is happy to help you out.  You will need to contact the specific state and find out if the certificates are kept by the state or county.  The next step is to fill out a request providing the names of both the bride and groom, including the maiden name.  A nominal fee and a letter explaining your need complete the process.  A certified copy will be sent to you shortly.

Genealogy Requires the Maiden Name in the Marriage Record
For those who are searching for their roots, marriage certificates are invaluable.  They not only establish that a marriage actually took place, they provide a time line and a very valuable and often lost maiden name.  The maiden name allows a genealogist to make connections to the frequently lost female side of a family.

Confirmation of Marriage Records
For women dating online, it can be difficult to reliably know if the man across the table from them is married of not.  Unfortunately, in these cases you don’t have as much information as you might like.  This is where an online search service becomes very valuable.

Unlike a formal State based request, you can use an online service without knowing all the details.  They can help you track down your date based on the information you already have.  If you know the current phone number or address, a search service can usually track back and provide additional information, potentially providing information on marriages and divorces.

Even if you aren’t checking up on a date, use a search service for marriage certificate information.  Unless you really need a certified copy of the certificate, an online service can help provide verification of a marriage without all the paperwork.

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