A marriage license record falls under the Freedom of Public Information Act (FOIA), which means you have the right to access the information. However, you have to know how to gain access to that information in order to retrieve it.

Despite popular belief, there is no magical database that has all the records you could imagine in one central location. All records are easily accessed if you know where to look and how to ask for the information. Fill out the right forms and provide the right data, and you will be granted access.

Requesting a Paper Marriage License Record

Many times, you will only need a paper marriage license as proof of marriage. Some companies require a paper marriage license to change the insurance plans or benefits. Military personnel need the paper license to add the spouse to the life insurance policy. Some women need the marriage license to change how their name appears on their driver’s license.

You will need:

• The Groom’s name
• The Bride’s Maiden name
• The County where the wedding took place
• Certificate Number (helps but not necessary)

In most cases, you will have to send in the information or go in person. However, even if you go in person you are not likely to receive the information the same day. Rarely, are any of these services offered online as a government service.

The county will look up the record and send the information to you via mail. You can request the information be sent by certified mail at an additional charge. You can expect to wait several weeks for the paper marriage license to be sent to you.

Searching for a Marriage License Record Online

Many people do not need a paper license. They are just looking for a marriage record. They want to know if a boyfriend is married and sometimes they are just curious about their own past. They are looking up their own family’s marriage records. In these cases, searching online is much easier.

You will need:

• Bride Name or Groom Name
• Age of the person (helps)
• City (optional)
• State (optional)

The more you know about the person you are looking up the better. For example, when you look up John Smith you will find many matches because that is a common name. However, if you know that John Smith is 25 and in Brokenarrow, Oklahoma, then you have just narrowed down your search.

Start searching marriage licenses records today. The information is out there and is available to everyone. What used to take hours searching through dusty records now only takes the click of the button.

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There are many reasons to need or want to know how to find marriage records.  Hopefully, the reason is good for you.  However, the process is largely the same, regardless of why you are searching.

What you do with the data after you find it depends on why you’re looking.  Are you trying to determine whether your spouse actually filed your marriage license?  Was the whole thing a sham designed to fleece you?  If you think significant other’s finances may have substantial gaps in history or you are working on a family tree, you may need to retrieve marriage records.

Marriage Records RequireTime and Place

The first thing you want, beside the name of at least one of the involved parties, is some information on when the “wedding” took place and in what state.  Different locales will have varying levels of public records, but you can usually run searches on marriage license issues or other types of marriage records.

Search Newspapers for Marriage Announcements

Everyone says the newspaper is a dying breed.  However, as a source for public information, a newspaper can give you data regarding a given marriage, which can facilitate your search of the public records.  This is more time consuming, but almost all weddings and a lot of license filings wind up in the local paper.

Researching Marriage Records Online

You can also look into using a reputable online retrieval system.  This can save you time as well as errors and has access to much more information.  These databases are updated daily.  Learn how to find marriage records online to save yourself time and energy.

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Like other legal documents issued by the court, a divorce public record can be found online.  Divorce documents are odd hybrids of the public and private, so to access them, you generally need to provide a legitimate reason for your search.  At least that is the case if you go through a state agency to get your copy.

While the law doesn’t change when you search a public database, you are responsible for deciding if your search is legitimate or not.  There are plenty of legitimate reasons to search.

The most common reason for casual searches is that you need to protect a personal or property right.  After all, when you marry someone who is previously divorced, you become responsible for their debts as well, and that can be very harmful.

The Process of Researching Public Court Records

To utilize a search service, you need much less information than the state would require.  One name will usually suffice.  You can use the current phone number to trace back to when the divorce took place by doing a general search on the individual.  Once you narrow down your candidates, you should be able to figure out which one matches your interest.

Perhaps, the best thing about these search services is that when you take an annual membership, you can look for more than just a divorce record.  This is the perfect time to start a family tree.  You can access all sorts of birth records, marriage records, and death certificates just as easily as you pulled up that divorce record.

Search Public Records with a Private Database Search Company

Unless you are searching for your own decree of divorce, public record access isn’t as helpful as you might thing.  When you are researching someone else’s background, it is helpful to know all the ins and outs of doing your own PI work.  Before you search for any divorce public record, learn the safest and quickest methods first.

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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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