Published: 05/18/2024By: Megan Francis
When you’re getting married there is a lot to plan for. You have to choose the perfect venue, gather your family members, and plan the wedding process. Even if you don’t want to have a big wedding and decide to elope instead, you still need to have the proper paperwork or your marriage won’t happen. For this reason, it’s important to know the difference between a marriage license and a marriage certificate.
While this might seem like just another stressor to add to the list during the wedding planning process, don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as you might think. The biggest difference is that a marriage license allows you to get married and the marriage certificate is proof that you got married.
This article takes you through everything you need to know about a marriage license vs a marriage certificate. We cover what marriage licenses and marriage certificates are and we can even help you find information about them with our people search tools. Read on to learn everything you need to know.
What Is a Marriage License?
A marriage license is what allows you to get married. If you don’t have a marriage license you can’t get married. Typically, you need to apply for a marriage license at the County Clerk’s Office or the State Recorder’s Office. This also needs to be done in the jurisdiction that you plan on getting married in. Therefore, if you have a marriage license for Texas you can’t use that same license to get married in a different state.
It’s also important to note that marriage licenses do expire. Expect a marriage license to expire within 30 days of you filing for the license. If you don’t get married within this timeframe you’ll need another license. Thankfully, most states make it easy to apply again and the application process can be much smoother.
When Should You Get a Marriage License?
You should get a marriage license at least one week prior to your wedding. However, some people recommend applying 90 days before the wedding. When it comes to wedding planning, it’s usually better to play it safe to avoid any complications.
However, you don’t want to apply too early because in some states the license will expire in 30-35 days, which means you’ll have to go through the application process again, albeit faster.
How Do You Get a Marriage License?
Getting a marriage license isn’t challenging as long as you meet the requirements, which can differ depending on where you live. For example, in New York to get a marriage license you need to be more than 18 years old and have the necessary identification.
In most states, if someone has already been married you’ll also have to provide proof that the marriage has ended. For example, you may need an official copy of a Divorce Decree, and it has to be in English. Documents in foreign languages won’t be accepted for these purposes.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Marriage License?
It doesn’t take long to get a marriage license. In fact, some states can get you a marriage license on the same day of your appointment. The application process usually takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour, so the process isn’t long.
That said, this varies and you may need to wait a few business days if you can’t get an appointment. Always be proactive about scheduling this appointment and make sure your officiant also is prepared.
How Much Does a Marriage License Cost?
The cost of a marriage license varies based on the state. A marriage license may be as cheap as $35 but in some states it can cost more than $100. On the top end, expect to pay upwards of $150. Thankfully, that’s about as expensive as they get.
What Is a Marriage Certificate?
A marriage certificate is what you receive after you’re married. Essentially, it’s proof that you and your spouse are married. A marriage certificate also has to include some important information and details about the wedding. It will usually include the time, date, and location of the wedding. The officiant’s name will also be on the certificate.
These documents become even more important if you plan on changing your last name. You’ll have to bring the marriage certificate, your birth certificate, and other important documents with you to complete this change.
You can usually request a copy of this document online, but you don’t need it too often. Still, it’s a good idea to file it in your records to avoid any potential problems.
When Do You Get a Marriage Certificate?
The officiant is responsible for helping you get your marriage certificate, at least initially. The officiant has submitted the marriage license to the place where the couple received the marriage license. Failing to do so can result in the marriage certificate not reaching the couple, which can cause many problems. It’s also important to note that this process has to be done within 10 days of the wedding (in most states).
Once the officiant submits the paperwork you can request a copy of the marriage certificate. While most states will send you a copy of the certificate you may have to go in person to pick it up.
If you do have to go in person you usually have to visit the County Clerk’s Office in the jurisdiction where the wedding occurred. The place where the license was applied for can also help you get the certificate if you’re having trouble.
How Much Does a Marriage Certificate Cost?
The cost of a marriage certificate is usually more affordable than a marriage license. On average, you can expect to pay between $5 and $30 for a marriage license. Each state has unique guidelines for how much the certificate will cost, but you shouldn’t have to pay more than that. It’s also important to note that some older marriage certificates are public records, so you can view them online for free.
Is a Marriage Certificate a Public Record?
Yes and no, It’s complicated. A marriage certificate isn’t a public record until 50 years have passed. While different states have different laws, this is when marriage certificates become historical records. Once a marriage certificate becomes a historical record you can find information about the marriage online and in the jurisdiction where the marriage occurred.
If you want a copy of your personal marriage certificate, however, you have some more flexibility there, and all you have to do is request a copy from the state where you were married. Unfortunately, this may cost you between $5 and $30.
How to Search for Marriage Certificates
If you don’t have access to your marriage certificate you can request a copy from the state where you were married. This is usually not through the County Clerk’s Office or the Vital Records Office in the state where the wedding occurred. There are also ways to search for marriage certificates with third-party tools, including our people search tool.
That said, you might have to follow additional steps if you were married outside the country; this is a common problem for people who have destination weddings. In these cases, you have to file the appropriate paperwork with the country you were married in. Each country will have different rules and paperwork, so make sure you have everything in order before you get started.
How to Search for Marriage Certificates with USPeopleSearch
USPeopleSearch has an intuitive people search tool that will help you find any marriage certificate, as long as it’s a public record. While it won’t help you find your personal certificate, once a marriage certificate becomes a public record it can help you find it.
Our people search tool is also efficient at finding other public records as well. We can help you find divorce records, court records, and other public information that’s available. Plus, searching with USPeopleSearch is a breeze. All you have to do is enter the person’s name, state, and address to begin your search.
Know the Difference Between Marriage Licenses and Marriage Certificates
Marriage licenses and marriage certificates may sound similar, but they’re not the same thing. A marriage license is what allows you to get married and a marriage certificate proves that you got married. For this reason, it’s important to have a marriage license before your wedding, but you should also keep a record of your marriage certificate after you’re married.
If you ever need to find this information you can use one of our people search tools to find what you’re looking for. In fact, you can even find records for others since marriage certificates are public records.
